Need advice about an exhaust bolt...

[hikermikem]

My 1100EX "spit" an exhaust bolt while I was riding tonite - I heard a metallic "tinkle" sound & then a loud exhaust leak noise...

When I stopped to inspect it, I discovered the missing exhaust header bolt.

I tried threading another bolt in when i got home, but the threaded hole had pretty much given up the ghost - the threads were kinda gone,

Soooo... my question is:

Do I heli-coil the stock M8x1.25 threads - or -
Should I just open up the hole to M10x1.25 with the tap I already have??

what would youy guys do?

mike

[rapidray]

Helicoil! No reason to butcher the hole to 10mm. Ray.

[Hammered]

I prefer threaded inserts over helicoils. Ive had bad experiences with them vibrating out even done to manufactures specs. Threaded inserts on the other hand stay where theyve been put.

[portdave]

helicoil

I just spent a lot of time on a used engine I bought. Had one broken off bolt. Spend hours drilling til I realized it had a broken extractor tip in it. Had to take a tiny drill bit and then drill small relief holes. Then I tapped the center with a nail punch to push down the broken tip. etc....Took a long time. Then I redrilled working my way up to the 21/64 drill bit for the helicoil.

Just get the helicoil kit for the 8mm. I think Advance has them with more coils in the kit for about $30. You just need to pick up a good drill bit with above size.