How to fix fairing threads on the frame?

[zerogspacecow]

Okay, so I've mentioned before many of the problems my bike has that were caused by the previous owner. Well, I found another one which I'm not sure how to fix.

Basically, it looks like he lost one of the fairing screws, so he substituted some Home Depot bolt. But, it was completely the wrong size, thread pitch was all wrong, etc. So, I think he damaged the threads in the frame. I tried putting in one of the correct screws, and it won't go in more than a quarter of an inch or so.

Here is a pic of where it is:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/camthepyro/IMG_20110214_120947-1.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/camthepyro/IMG_20110216_152031.jpg


Here is a pic of the tab on the frame where it screws in:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/camthepyro/IMG_20110216_152023.jpg


So, what can I do to fix this? It looks like he was only able to get the Home Depot bolt about a quarter of an inch in, so it's possible the threads after that may be fine. Should I drill out the threads to the point where they're okay again? Or is there some other way to fix it?

Thanks!

[Todd]

get a tap that is the same size and pitch of the original screw (go to the other side and take it out to determine size), go to Home Depot/Lowes/Ace, get a tap the same size as the bolt you used to determine size, and simply retap the hole.

[zerogspacecow]

get a tap that is the same size and pitch of the original screw (go to the other side and take it out to determine size), go to Home Depot/Lowes/Ace, get a tap the same size as the bolt you used to determine size, and simply retap the hole.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but how can you tap a thread in a hole that's as big as the tap?

Say the original hole was 1/8", and then he shoved a 3/16" bolt in there. How could I then tap the hole back to 1/8"?

[Todd]

if youre trying to put the original bolt in, and it will only go in a couple of threads and then locks down, then the hole isnt too big. He just put a different sized bolt in it and f'd up the threads.

If indeed the hole is too big for the original size bolt to go in, then just get the next size up bolt, get a drill bit and tap for that size bolt, and drill and tap. Ive done this countless times on bikes, cars, and shit at work. Its a piece of cake.

edit: if you need to go with the next size up bolt, then get two of them, and drill and tap the other side as well so they match. :up:

[zerogspacecow]

if youre trying to put the original bolt in, and it will only go in a couple of threads and then locks down, then the hole isnt too big. He just put a different sized bolt in it and f'd up the threads.

If indeed the hole is too big for the original size bolt to go in, then just get the next size up bolt, get a drill bit and tap for that size bolt, and drill and tap. Ive done this countless times on bikes, cars, and shit at work. Its a piece of cake.

edit: if you need to go with the next size up bolt, then get two of them, and drill and tap the other side as well so they match. :up:

Thanks for the info! I'll go ahead and do it that way. Hopefully I don't screw it up anymore! It's just my luck that he had to mess up one of the holes that's part of the frame itself, lol.

[Huey130]

http://www.timesert.com/html/mtrcsert.html

[zerogspacecow]

http://www.timesert.com/html/mtrcsert.html

Thanks Huey, but I already bought a larger tap. Unfortunately they didn't have a metric tap large enough, so I have to use a standard. For some reason I'm going to feel dirty putting a standard bolt on a japanese bike...

[Huey130]

Timeserts are a thread insert and the more proper way to repair a hole instead of just manhandling a larger tap down it.

They drill the hole larger to fresh metal, tap a corser thread and then their insert (which is one piece) is screwed into the new hole. The insert is tapered at the end and countersunk. That way it drives all the way flush and when it stops the insertion tool flares the end for a mechanical fit. When you remove the insertion tool you now have the exact hole / threads you had before.

I keep the normal sizes here in stock: 8X1, 10X1, 10X1.25, etc... If the bolt is easy to get to it takes about 15 minutes to install one.

[zerogspacecow]

Timeserts are a thread insert and the more proper way to repair a hole instead of just manhandling a larger tap down it.

They drill the hole larger to fresh metal, tap a corser thread and then their insert (which is one piece) is screwed into the new hole. The insert is tapered at the end and countersunk. That way it drives all the way flush and when it stops the insertion tool flares the end for a mechanical fit. When you remove the insertion tool you now have the exact hole / threads you had before.

I keep the normal sizes here in stock: 8X1, 10X1, 10X1.25, etc... If the bolt is easy to get to it takes about 15 minutes to install one.

Hmm... in that case it might be worth it to do it that way.

How much would you charge to do that?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Thanks Huey, but I already bought a larger tap. Unfortunately they didn't have a metric tap large enough, so I have to use a standard. For some reason I'm going to feel dirty putting a standard bolt on a japanese bike...


I can't say for certain on your bike, but every other bike I've worked on has been a random hodge podge of metric and standard fasteners anyway. :lol:

[The Lazy Destroyer]

http://www.timesert.com/html/mtrcsert.html

I would agree that if the threads are very boogered up, a TimeSert would be the way to go. I've had very good luck with the few I've needed throughout the years.

[Soupskin]

Thanks Huey, but I already bought a larger tap. Unfortunately they didn't have a metric tap large enough, so I have to use a standard. For some reason I'm going to feel dirty putting a standard bolt on a japanese bike...

Try owning a Chevota ('91 Toyota pickup with a Chevy 305).

+1 on Timeserts. They are the only one I would trust. I've used them to replace spark plug threads in a head and they held strong.

[zerogspacecow]

Try owning a Chevota ('91 Toyota pickup with a Chevy 305).

+1 on Timeserts. They are the only one I would trust. I've used them to replace spark plug threads in a head and they held strong.

Wow, you've got big balls trying that! Of course, I guess you wouldn't have much of a choice unless you wanted to replace the head...

Question: how did the spark plug threads get effed up?


But yeah, there are probably standard and metric bolts on my bike, but if I had my choice they would all be metric. Hell, if I had my choice the imperial measurements would be a relic of the past.

[Soupskin]

Question: how did the spark plug threads get effed up?

Beats me. Plug blew out of the head on my way home from work one night. It's possible I could have effed up a plug change but highly doubtful. I suspect Ford had some crappy metallurgy as I ready many other accounts of the same issue on early Ford Focuses (Foci?).

It was kinda funny though. I tried to thread the plug back in but when I cranked her up it blew sky high. I had time to turn the car off, take the keys out, get out and walk around to the engine bay before I finally heard the plug land in the grass next to me. Ended up driving her home with an open cylinder. I had to keep the windows down to survive the fumes.

[zerogspacecow]

Beats me. Plug blew out of the head on my way home from work one night. It's possible I could have effed up a plug change but highly doubtful. I suspect Ford had some crappy metallurgy as I ready many other accounts of the same issue on early Ford Focuses (Foci?).

It was kinda funny though. I tried to thread the plug back in but when I cranked her up it blew sky high. I had time to turn the car off, take the keys out, get out and walk around to the engine bay before I finally heard the plug land in the grass next to me. Ended up driving her home with an open cylinder. I had to keep the windows down to survive the fumes.

Ha, that's crazy. I seem to remember something similar happening on Top Gear (the episode where they go from Iraq to Israel).

[Mike]

+1 to timeserts. Used one on the drain plug of my buell and it worked like a charm.

[Huey130]

Right where it is if I can do it through the bodywork hole = $18ish. If I have to take the panel off then 1/2 an hour which is $34 + the cost o' the sert.

[zerogspacecow]

Right where it is if I can do it through the bodywork hole = $18ish. If I have to take the panel off then 1/2 an hour which is $34 + the cost o' the sert.

Cool, I'll probably take it by the shop this weekend for you to take a look.

[Huey130]

I'll be at the Indy dealer show this weekend looking for cool stuff to sell this summer!

[zerogspacecow]

I'll be at the Indy dealer show this weekend looking for cool stuff to sell this summer!

Ah, in that case I'll have to come by next weekend!

[etjohnson81]

You can use helicoils. Typically available at parts or hardware stores. Then you can use your original bolt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threaded_insert

[Kenand1988]

re thread and tap the hole yourself with a drill and a thread repair kit from autozone for $30. The kit will give you three of those coils so potentially you could do two more holes.