I'd like to thump the PO 82 GS850GL HELP!!!

[Harry P.]

Took the valve cover off the adjust the valves, and just because I checked the tightness of the 4 cam bearing caps that bolt over the cams.....some of them are stripped out....thinking the only fix is to drill and tap for larger bolts unless someone has an easier fix...like fill it with JB weld and bottom the bolt out in it.

Guys I really appreciate your help, knowledge and patience with us new guys if really gives us the confidence to dive into these machines and work on them instead of making the bike shops money

Once I have this one up & running right I have a 66 Honda Dream to rebuild....

[argonsagas]

A simple method, and one which does not require much material loss, is to use a threaded insert, which is screwed directly into the head material. They are called helicoils. You put them in as per instructions, then use the old bolts.


How to do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMbcUa7RAk0

[Nessism]

Sorry to hear about this problem. Timesert or helicoil is the proper way to repair the threads. Unfortunately, you are most likely going to have to pull the head to do the job right; it's important to drill and tap the holes at a 90 degree angle so using a drill press is strong recommended.

Good luck.

[jmanz6]

Timeserts are the best way to go for a proper repair. Helicoils work as well, but Timeserts are better as they are a solid material instead of a spring coil. That being said, my toolbox in the garage has MANY helicoils in it for repairs... You can get Timeserts from places like McMaster-Carr pretty cheaply.

[Steve]

There is also a (slim) chance that there are some unused threads at the bottom of the holes, so longer bolts might work, too. I would not go much longer than 5mm, but that's not much thread area to hold something as important as cams. Use a piece of wire to measure how deep the hole is, you might be able to use bolts 10mm longer.

If that does not work, Heli-Coil or TimeSerts. Heli-Coils are sometimes available at your better auto parts stores, too.

.

[Harry P.]

I'll se if I can find a longer bolt for it, time-serts do seam like a better product as it seams they tried heli coils and they did not hold.....possibly improperly installed.

[Redman]

Welcome to GSR.

Very similar to my expereince with my bike I got 2 years ago (and same reaction relative to the PO). Only I found the cap bolts broke off. And more broke when I tried to turn them out.

I took head to machine shop where they drilled them out or used easy out. On Two of the bolt holes they had to use the helicoils. And I think one of them maybe be loose now. So that alternative mentioned above has my interest.

.