What are these parts?...

[Guest]

I seem to be stripping these bracket things out. They are brackets in the head that the valve cover bolts bolt into and hold it to the engine. I tried to search bike bandit for replacement parts but I can't seem to find a part number for them. That's where i found this picture, it just wasn't labeled on there.

Oh, I'm sorry about the picture, I hope you can see it.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Cam Bearing Caps

I bet you stripped a hole in one yes?
Oh and they are a part of the head I think. Want a cam cap? Buy a head.

[Nessism]

Helicoil the cap and install new threads. You shouldn't swap out those caps because they are line-bored when the head is being machined, and replacements won't match your existing head exactly.

[TheCafeKid]

Yes caps should not be used in a head they did not come with. These were line bored from the factory, and wear as a unit. Installing caps in a different head can lead to premature wear of the cam and bearing..

[DanTheMan]

If you're stripping the threads in the head, you need to tap them out to accept the next larger thread (or helicoil to correct thread/diameter) and drill (on a drill press) the cam bearing cap bolt holes to accept the larger diameter bolt. Remember, it's all metric as well. Then, don't over torque them on assembly. If you don't have a manual get one (Haynes, Clymer or from BassCliff's site).

[Steve]

Those are not just "bracket things", those are the bearings that hold your camshafts into place.

If you are stripping them, you really need to get a torque wrench. The torque value for the bolts that go into them is only 6 to 7.5 lb-ft.

.

[JEEPRUSTY]

I was tightening my cam cover down today.
I figure a lot of these holes get stripped due to dry old gaskets and a lack of new o-rings over the cap bolt holes.

You can never fix a leak by overtightening a dead gasket.