05-17-2019, 02:27 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 449
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Should I Tap this Bolt Hole?
While going through the bike yesterday, I noticed that the cover for the front sprocket is missing the lower bolt (see pic). I thought it was strange. I have misc. loose bolts of the same size and even tried using the bolt from the top of the cover. None worked. They went in a little ways and then stopped. I also noticed that all bolts went in crooked. I'm guessing that's why the bolt is not there in the first place.
1. Should I tap this bolt hole? Is there potentially anything there that I could mess up if I tap this and go too far or something? 2. Or, would you not worry about it since the top bolt seems to hold the over pretty securely? *this is not a pic of my bike, I just found this on the internet to illustrate the bolt I'm referring to. |
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05-17-2019, 02:54 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,704
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I had to replace the bottom bolt on my Hawk with a slightly longer bolt because the original bolt only grabbed about 3/16" of threads and stripped. Whatever you do Don't drill it any deeper.
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2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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05-17-2019, 03:30 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Yep, I had the same issue as Jerry. They don't use a long enough bolt so it only grabs a couple of threads when tightened down so it is super easy to strip and also vibrates out rather easily. Yours sounds like it may have been cross threaded during assembly.
As far as tapping the hole. If you trust yourself enough to do it, then take a bit of straight wire/coat hanger. Find the bottom of the hole and mark the outer edge of the hole on the wire. Measure that length and subtract the thickness of the cover at that bolt hole if the cover was still installed. Measure that distance on the drill bit and/or tap and then wrap a bunch of tape around the outside at that mark to make a depth stop. That should keep you from going into bad places. I would say start by trying to chase the threads with the tap. A couple of the threads might just be boogered up. Then get bolt a bit shorter than the length you measured (plus cover) so it doesn't bottom out. Instead of using thread compound, use a washer and a lock washer behind it. Just don't go to town tightening it. Mudflaps idea of a stud is a good one, and in this instance I would use thread compound. Just make sure the stud has enough stick out to engage the nylon part of the nylock nut - with a few threads showing preferably.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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05-17-2019, 03:32 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
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You will also want to used a Bottoming Tap. This will give you full threads all the way.
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2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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05-17-2019, 10:31 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: East Central Hellinois
Posts: 1,344
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It still amazes me how many people don't realize there's a difference....using the incorrect tap and then blowing the brand new threads out because the didn't use a bottom tap and felt those 3 or 4 good rounds of threads at the top were plenty good enough.
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05-17-2019, 11:29 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Many people also screw up when using a bottom tap and don't take the time to ensure they are starting on an existing thread when using it to chase an already tapped hole out. I've had to fix more than my fair share of double threaded holes because they just cut threads through the other threads.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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05-18-2019, 12:23 AM | #8 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Pocatello, Idaho
Posts: 794
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We use a product by Loctite called bearing mount, I think years ago was called stud and bearing mount. As suggested above, could use a stud.
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05-18-2019, 02:41 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Hell
Posts: 2,408
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Maybe just leave well enough alone
If it’s not causing issues that’s ok It’s just a cover bolt |
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