Yikes! Missing bolt!

[gabriel_gs]

So I was replacing a forks seal this morning (thanks Steptoe for the photo guide!) and had the tank off to get leverage with the seal remover.

Anyway, when I was refitting the tank, I noticed on the right-hand side, the bolt that attaches the subframe to the engine casing has sheared off.

See below...

Peering into the fixing point hole in the subframe, the bolt head has sheared off and left the bolt stuck in the engine casing.

So 2 questions...

1 - am I in mortal danger riding the bike with this bolt missing or is the subframe secure enough with the other fixing points?

2 - How the hell do I get the sheared of bolt out?

I have no idea how long it's been like this!

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

I would say you need to sort that sooner rather than later it is a "structual" part and perhaps shouldn't be ridden till sorted.

Getting it out will be tricky with the subframe in place.

I have just removed a gearbox (R1100) and one of the gearbox / Engine bolts was a bugger to remove , it came out eventually with no threads on the bolt, it had,nt been disturbed from new before so the factory did it (Cross threaded) I managed clean up the thread with a tap and am using a new bolt.
In your case it may be that someone sheared the bolt of because it is also cross threaded.
Hopefully other people will chime in with suggestions.
If it were mine I would be planning to remove the sub frame and drill out the bolt and re-tap, if the threads are to badly damaged you need to consider helicoil

Good luck

 

[davegs]

Flog it quick I'll give you £20 (delivered of course).

 

[gabriel_gs]

Done!

Oh wait, hang on...

 

[MikeP]

It's not so much a bolt as a threaded bar that goes through the engine case (item 3 in the below).

Draw it out from the other side, no need to drill anything, maybe a drift from the broken side.

 

[gabriel_gs]

No it's the bolt that attaches the subframe to the engine casing - so the opposing bolt to number 10 on that diagram.

 

[MikeP]

Then forget it. You still have five fixings holding the sub-frame to the engine & gearbox.

Leave it until you have to move the sub-frame for some reason.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

I would'nt "Forget it" You only have 4 places the subframe connects to Engine / Box not 6 as Mike sugests, you now have 3 !

 

[MikeP]

There are four points at the front (two screws and one long bar through the upper engine case), and two screws into the gearbox.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Hi Mike et all, I,m aware there are 6 fixings on the sub frame, but only 4 of them appear structural, When I gave advice it was / has to be the worst scenario cos I don't know the OP So that is with the bike loaded 2up & luggage, in other words loaded to the Max, cornering under power, now all thats stopping that sub frame flexing and ultimately cracking is the little bracket in the pic, My advice is to sort it sooner than later.

 

[Steptoe]

Don't worry about it.

There are loads of bikes trundling around with that bolt broken. I've even seen a couple of 1200's with that bolt broken off

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

My work here is done maybe I,m a born worrier Op it,s up to you

 

[Vern]

It's probably been like it for years, it's only dodgey now you've noticed it!

See if it'll come out easily, you never know, you might be lucky and just wind it out

 

[Welshman]

Don't worry about it.

There are loads of bikes trundling around with that bolt broken. I've even seen a couple of 1200's with that bolt broken off

Do you know how many owners are plodding around with torches looking at that bolt?

 

[gabriel_gs]

Thanks all.

Having investigated more closely I'm not convinced its a major danger and also with the 'Steptoe Nod' I'm not so worried

If I get time over Easter to pull the bike appart I may give it a go, but seems like it's not a huge worry - the 'weight' of the subframe is mainly on the 2 lower, rearmost mountings anyway - the forward bolts look like they stop the subframe pivoting backwards as opposed to structurally taking much of the weight

Might try drilling the bolt and using an 'easy out' or similar as the bike had H&B crash bars fitted originally - I don't remember that bolt being difficult when I removed the bars, so fingers crossed it's not 'welded' in!

 

[STUBBS]

bet it ll play on your mind

 

[Greger]

You have to wonder why it has sheared off if it does not have any load on it!

 

[gabriel_gs]

Hmmm... Already is.

Just ordered a bolt removal kit...

 

[Steptoe]

You have to wonder why it has sheared off if it does not have any load on it!

I doubt it's as dramatic as "sheared". More likely seized or cross threaded and snapped off on removal.

If you want something pointless to worry about, think of same sized single bolt that secures the bottom of the rear shock and has all the weight of the rear of the bike on it, and it gets worked on every bump you go over. ...... .

 

[gabriel_gs]

You have to wonder why it has sheared off if it does not have any load on it!

Didn't say 'no load'

Just that more would be placed on the lower/rear-most bolts.