stripped clutch cover thread

[BRJones]

Hi,

I have a 1983 GS1100L. While replacing the aftermarket clutch springs with OEM clutch springs, I somehow cross-threaded and stripped the threads of the female receiving side for the upper right bolt. They are completely stripped, I do not know how to recover from this. The bolts are 8mm. Do I get a tap and die set and go to 9mm? Is there something I can put in the hole to create new threads? Do I seal it in the top right with some sort of gasket sealant and let the surrounding bolts do the heavy work of keeping it together? Any help would be appreciated.

Brent

[tkent02]

Which bolt? Upper right of what? Don't know of any 8mm thread bolts in there.

[BRJones]

There are 10 bolts that hold the side cover on. They require an 8mm socket to remove or tighten them. The one that is stripped is the bolt in the top right just in front of where the clutch cable attaches.

[Guest]

Helicoil it

[tkent02]

OK, those are 6mm thread bolts. Yeah, Helicoil will work.

[BRJones]

The bolt is still fine and out. It is the female side that is stripped. Will a helicoil cut new threads? I will google it and see what I can figure out. Thanks in advance.

[Agemax]

The bolt is still fine and out. It is the female side that is stripped. Will a helicoil cut new threads? I will google it and see what I can figure out. Thanks in advance.

a helicoil kit includes a drill bit, a tap and a thread insert. you run the drill through the damaged threads carefully, then use the tap and rethread the hole.
then screw the helicoil insert in using the tool provided and there you go, a brand new 6mm steel thread to screw the cover bolt into

[BRJones]

Awesome thanks for the assistance and the education. I am loving this forum.

[Agemax]

Awesome thanks for the assistance and the education. I am loving this forum.

that is good, but if you want us to love you back you should go to the GS owners section and introduce yourself properly.
add your bike model and your location to your signature so we know what you ride and where in the world you are.

post a few pics of your bike(s) as well, we like pics

[BRJones]

Will do once I get home tonight. Thanks again!

[GateKeeper]

Will do once I get home tonight. Thanks again!

did you get home yet.....

just my way of reminding you to add your info......

[BRJones]

Thanks again!!!

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=1903001#post1903001

[BRJones]

Well I installed the new helicoil thread tonight and that part worked well. Now I have it all back together and added the oil. I need to try and figure out how to adjust the clutch. With where everything currently is adjusted, when I squeeze the clutch lever in, the clutch does not fully engage. When I try to start the engine with the bike up on the center stand, the rear tire spins. Even if I have the cable linkage disconnected from the arm the comes out of the side cover and manually slide the arm counter clockwise. The arm moves very freely without resistance. I am sure it is not actually doing anything behind the cover to engage the clutch. Just thought I would ask in case I did something glaringly wrong. I will read up on everything and start a new thread.