Rocker cover bolt stripped?

[alchemist]

Hi there,

Well I unintentionally removed one of the bolts of the rocker cover not realising the plastic cover comes out to gain access to the oil filler on the ST1300 I recently acquired.

Anyhow, I had put it back in, tightened it up then later on when I started the bike, pop it came loose, upon inspection it looks like the bolt stripped vertically and a little on the threads. 

What do you reckon, probably have to pull the rocker cover off, clean out any metal filings, tap out the thread and get a new bolt? anyone have a spare in WA?

I don't have good luck with this sort of thing and tend to make matters worse without realising.

[Brock]

Get a bottoming tap of the correct size, to clean out the threads and replace the bolt. It looks like a bad bolt, looking at the first pic.

[alchemist]

So nothing to worry about then?  I'll source a bottoming tap, never used them before. Hopefully the thread hasn't weakened inside... Should I be concerned if there a possibly metal shavings in there?

[Abe]

If it does goes pear shape you may have to use a "helli coil" (google search and you will see what I mean)

[Brock]

If the poo hits the blowy thing, I may be able to help as I have inserted helicoils before.  You can catch metal bits in the thread, if you coat the tap with grease or vaseline/petroleum jelly . carefully feel for the thread as you screw in the tap, dont force it.

[alchemist]

Thanks Brock and Abe, very much appreciate it your advice.

I went around to many difference places this afternoon in search for an M6 1.0 tap or even a set, but nothing was found to be long enough.  Seems as though I need one that is 80mm long to clear the rocker cover.

Will get a new bolt or two from Honda during the week hopefully they have stock and I'm also hoping I find a long tap set at work, should do... Great idea with the grease/vaseline that should work.

[Abe]

Take the rocket cover OFF first. 

Be very careful of any metal waste getting into the motor.


Once cover is off:-

Vacuum out the bolt hole.

Cover with several layers of "Glad" / "Cling" wrap etc over the top and the sides of the engine completely.

Then you can make a small hole over the bolt hole that you need to work on.

You can use magnets and a vacuum cleaner to assist with removing metal waste.

Page 2.16 of the Haynes manual shows you "valve cover" removal and installation

Hope that this makes sense

[HunterTodd]

Bummer about the screw.

You can buy long shank taps I have a couple but they are M8 and M10. 

 I also have a little venturi vacuum gun which is driven by compressed air, it has a little tube which you put down the hole and it blows the metal up into the vacuum. They would be cheap on ebay and they really get blind holes clean. The ultimate tool really, they blow and suck.

If you are going to buy a new bolt buy it from the states you will get it quicker. Odds on Honda won't have it here.

The only other thing I would do if you have a lathe is turn up a guide for the drill to ensure you drill the hole square. I would do it for you but my lathe is in storage and I can't get at it.

[alchemist]

Thanks for elaborating further on it Abe, that's given me more confidence on the best way of tackling this small issue.

Honda here managed to get one from east coast and is being express posted overnight to Perth, so hoping to get the bike on the road tomorrow night if all goes to plan.

Cheers everyone

[alchemist]

Well Honda had let me down with getting a new bolt so I ran a die over this bolt and it came up good.

Removed the rocker cover to find the bolt hole thread was perfect and I had realised I must have screwed that bolt down between the cam lobe and the bolt hole outer casing 

No damage to the cam lobe thankfully and everything went back together nicely.  Just had to ensure the bolt was dead square going back in 

[Brock]

That I believe is a not uncommon problem

[Assassin]

That I believe is a not uncommon problem

It's only uncommon if people don't use a torque wrench to do them up in the first place. The manual will tel you how much torque to use.... If they have been over tightened in the first place, it distorts the threads making it harder for the bolts to go in...

Seriously, don't even consider tapping it out without removing the tappet cover !! Do it properly and safely, remove the cover, put cloths all the way around the offending thread and use a cutting paste when tapping a new thread... This will catch any scarf that comes out... 'Keenserts' are better than Helicoils, but not sure if there will be enough material to tap into...

But don't take any chances....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Abe]

Removed the rocker cover to find the bolt hole thread was perfect and I had realised I must have screwed that bolt down between the cam lobe and the bolt hole outer casing 

No damage to the cam lobe thankfully and everything went back together nicely.  Just had to ensure the bolt was dead square going back in 

I think Alchemist has the issue fixed.

[Brock]

The problem wasnt a stripped thread, but missing the hole all together and running the bolt down the inside of the head itself. That is what is not uncommon.

P.S> this was rectified in July...

[Assassin]

The problem wasnt a stripped thread, but missing the hole

Ah ok :) yep you're right, that's happened to me too... !! And I'm way behind the 8 ball as usual :)