What did you do today?

[The Mad King Pepe']

Removed one of my rearsets, exhaust brackets, top triple, and handlebar clamps.  Got everything off effortlessly until the right rearset.  One of my bolts is stripped, and I have exhausted all measures to get it off.  I tried using torx bits, extractor kits, etc.  Finally I got an extractor bit that would stick, and of course, it broke off in the screw head!!!  I almost lost it except I was partly distracted from having bloodied up my knuckles on the ground when it snapped, lol. 

I've been trying to figure out how to remove this damn thing all weekend, and that was the ultimate slap in the face.  Now my last resort is to reassemble all the parts I removed and try and figure out where to take it to get the extractor bit removed and get the stripped bolt taken out....... After buying every damn thing in the world, going to a combination of Sears, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and trying every method I am finally waving the white flag of defeat, lol.  This problem is above my skill level. 

Anyone wanna help a struggling member out?  I would be forever grateful.  If not, if anyone has a good suggestion on where I could ride the bike to that is really close to DC, that would help too.  What a day....

Ooooh, one of those  moments, been there!    Post some photos of your current predicament

There's a few threads about stuck/broken bolts in the Tech section, this one in particular.

If you can manage to get the broken bit out, you could try the process over starting with PB blaster. Drown the bolt in lube and let it rest. Then douse again and hit it with an impact wrench. If that doesn't work then you can try a heat gun. I don't have a garage so I can't help much more.

As far as locations go, Cycles of Silver Spring is probably the closest to where you live.

Also for a reference for you and everyone (especially myself  , I still use grease) since the bolts are steel and the case is aluminum, some anti-seize is a must when the bolts go back in.

[tocino]

I've been trying to figure out how to remove this damn thing all weekend, and that was the ultimate slap in the face.  Now my last resort is to reassemble all the parts I removed and try and figure out where to take it to get the extractor bit removed and get the stripped bolt taken out....... After buying every damn thing in the world, going to a combination of Sears, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and trying every method I am finally waving the white flag of defeat, lol.  This problem is above my skill level.

Is the head flush with the bracket or is it proud, recessed? Get a hammer and chisel and put some slots on either side of the extractor (this is in the middle of the bolt head, yes?), then see if you can use a punch at an angle in the slots to get it turning. Maybe spray some PB Blaster or other penetrant first (let it stand overnight) to try and loosen up the threads. At the worst you'll have to drill the damn thing out, although the extractor piece is probably hardened steel. If that's the case you may have bring it to a professional.

[696DCRider]

I'm not sure if I can get the bit out or not at this point.  This a small piece of it sticking out of the screw, but I don't know how to attack it.  The bolt is recessed into my rearset, so that definitely made it a pain in the ass to get to.  Some of the extractor bits weren't long enough to even get in there.  I tried tapping inside the hole and then using the reverse bit, but nothing was grabbing the bolt.  I finally used an extraction bit that was big enough to grab the rounded out hex hole and it stuck.  My drill couldn't handle the job though and started smoking, lol.  So I tried a more powerful drill and that failed also.  Then I went and purchased an impact drill, but the problem was that the head on those things is not adjustable, so I had to have a specific bit to use on it.  So, that basically lead me to use a t-handle where you can insert a bit into it and tighten it down.  I figured, if no drill will work, I will just muscle the thing loose.  That's when the bit snapped.  I had to walk away from the situation at that point, so I haven't attempted anything since.  I'm thinking for my sanity though, it would be easier to put the triple/handlebars, etc back on and take it somewhere that knows what the heck they are doing unlike me, lol.  I don't like claiming defeat, but sometimes you have to cut your losses I guess.   

I'll try and take some pics tonight.

Ooooh, one of those  moments, been there!    Post some photos of your current predicament

There's a few threads about stuck/broken bolts in the Tech section, this one in particular.

If you can manage to get the broken bit out, you could try the process over starting with PB blaster. Drown the bolt in lube and let it rest. Then douse again and hit it with an impact wrench. If that doesn't work then you can try a heat gun. I don't have a garage so I can't help much more.

As far as locations go, Cycles of Silver Spring is probably the closest to where you live.

Also for a reference for you and everyone (especially myself  , I still use grease) since the bolts are steel and the case is aluminum, some anti-seize is a must when the bolts go back in.

[Slide Panda]

PB Blaster - let it soak for a while then attack things again.

And for future reference, left handed (counter-clockwise cutting) drill bits. They are a bit of a pain to find in person, but easy enough online. If you hit the point where you have to drill they can, on ocassion, spin the broken screw back out without even needing the extractors.

[tocino]

PB Blaster - let it soak for a while then attack things again.

And for future reference, left handed (counter-clockwise cutting) drill bits. They are a bit of a pain to find in person, but easy enough online. If you hit the point where you have to drill they can, on ocassion, spin the broken screw back out without even needing the extractors.

Good point - a friend helped me drill a f*&^ed bolt out with one of these - it only got about 1/3 way in when it started to back the bolt out. Funny thing was the threads were great inside - no visual clue why the thing had gotten stuck in the first place.

[tocino]

Well, I did it Saturday and not "today", but I bought a completely disassembled '75 Norton Commando. I will be the third owner, but as the prev owner never rode it (he just took it apart and bought lots of replacement stuff) or titled it, the State will consider me the second. 4500 miles! Sad part is it rusted away for 20+ years in a shed. Gruesome "before" pics. Luckily Andover Norton still makes every single part for Commandos, even including complete frames, so anything that's missing can be easily gotten. You vintage bike aficionados will understand my drooling when I saw the original wiring harness in a ziploc bag with no hacked connectors, cut wires, etc. looking like it was made yesterday.

[DRKWNG]

Sweet!!  Think you'll have it done by the time I get back?

[696DCRider]

My problem now is that I don't know how the heck to even get the screw extractor out that is stuck in the stripped screw, lol.  If I could get that out, I could take another shot at it.  I'll have to take some pics tonight to visualize the whole thing.

PB Blaster - let it soak for a while then attack things again.

And for future reference, left handed (counter-clockwise cutting) drill bits. They are a bit of a pain to find in person, but easy enough online. If you hit the point where you have to drill they can, on ocassion, spin the broken screw back out without even needing the extractors.

[zooom]

My problem now is that I don't know how the heck to even get the screw extractor out that is stuck in the stripped screw, lol.  If I could get that out, I could take another shot at it.  I'll have to take some pics tonight to visualize the whole thing.

can you get some sort of pick or awl in between the bit of extractor and the metal of the bolt for to wedge and pry/pop it out?

[696DCRider]

Possibly, if I knew what the heck an awl is 

Seriously though, the extractor bit is lodged in there pretty good.  I'm not sure that a pick would help, but then again, I don't know what I'm doing or I probably wouldn't be in this position in the first place.

can you get some sort of pick or awl in between the bit of extractor and the metal of the bolt for to wedge and pry/pop it out?

[The Mad King Pepe']

Possibly, if I knew what the heck an awl is 

Seriously though, the extractor bit is lodged in there pretty good.  I'm not sure that a pick would help, but then again, I don't know what I'm doing or I probably wouldn't be in this position in the first place.

Flat head screwdriver that's thin enough so you can hammer it between the two parts.

Another thing you can try is to use a dremel to cut a slice into the head of the bolt and then hammer it. But PB blast it first!

How many screws hold your rearsets in place? Are the other ones stuck as well? If you can remove the other bolts, you could use a dremel (or another cutter) to saw off the head of the bolt and then slide off the rearset.

[The Mad King Pepe']

Sweet!!  Think you'll have it done by the time I get back?

It's an antique bike we're talking about here, so it requires proper assembly. We'll all be retired and have grankids by the time it's done! 

[tocino]

It's an antique bike we're talking about here, so it requires proper assembly. We'll all be retired and have grankids by the time it's done! 

Au contraire! (that's British slang for f*** off) 

I'd love to have it done by June, but late fall is more realistic. Frame needs paint and head needs some work (stuck / bent valve) and the seat needs fixing up. Other than that it's just seeing what the ravage of time (rust) has done to various bits.

It's a pretty simple bike and I've owned two so I'm familiar with them. Biggest issue I think will be cleaning it!

British bikes get a bad name, some deservedly for when the industry teetered on bankruptcy and there were QA issues, but a lot of it is because they're just old and have been sitting or flogged or "fixed" by guys with hammers and channel locks (that would be me) and then people expect them to ride like new.

[The Mad King Pepe']

Had a some fun with a little f***er yesterday, the engine rpm (aka crankshaft postition, aka G28) sensor.

Not a big deal, it's just held in place by one screw, except the mofo is located behind the front engine mount...

Anyway after only 3 hours, more swearing than I thought I was capable of, and thanks to the invaluable help of my gramma' (same one in the bike pic ), I managed to replace the damn thing.

[zooom]

Pepe....did you roll the car up onto stands or anything to increase the room for access?...it makes a HUGE difference...hence why I have ramps and stands....