Fuel tank bolt question

[Ohioan]

I snapped one of the bolts that holds the tank to the frame. I got the bolt out fairly easy. I took the other bolt and went to the hardware store to purchase a replacement but the bolt I bought it with doesn't seem to work in either hole.

does anyone know the threads on this bolt? I may have boogered up the threads. Will it hurt to use the next size up tap to clean up the threads and use a larger bolt?

on a '82 1100GL

[Steve]

It's probably the same as my wife's '82 850L, which would be an 8 x 1.25 bolt.

Unless your threads are completely gone, just use the standard size tap to clean up the threads, not the next-larger size. Using larger hardware has a cascading effect. You will need larger washers, spacers, rubber washers, wrenches, etc., all contributing to frustration when working on the bike.

Now, if you are getting ready to sell the bike and don't mind being called "that &^*&% Previous Owner", go ahead.

.

[Calvin Blackmore]

do what steve said
if you taake our tank off a lot these fine threaded bolts tend to get cross threaded and eventually it seems just wear out the threads

I ran a new tap through mione and they cleaned up good enough for the old bolts though

[Ohioan]

Steve, thanks for that info. It wouldn't be the first time I've been called a "@#%^"

[Ohioan]

Steve did you mean 6x1.25? 8 too large.

Here is what I did to remedy my prediciment, and this seemed to fix it.

I took one of the bolts that I had that had good threads. I got it started in the threads. I took a wrench, and turned it a full turn in, then backed out half a turn. Then turned a whole turn, back out half a turn. And I did this until the bolt had threaded all the way in. That seemed to fix it.

now I just need to figure out why my throttle won't snap back.

[bwringer]

Steve did you mean 6x1.25? 8 too large.

Here is what I did to remedy my prediciment, and this seemed to fix it.

I took one of the bolts that I had that had good threads. I got it started in the threads. I took a wrench, and turned it a full turn in, then backed out half a turn. Then turned a whole turn, back out half a turn. And I did this until the bolt had threaded all the way in. That seemed to fix it.

now I just need to figure out why my throttle won't snap back.

Nope -- 6mm threads have a 1.00mm pitch. 8mm threads have a 1.25mm pitch.

If the tank is held in with two vertical bolts, they are 6mm threads.

If the tank is held in with one horizontal bolt, it has an 8mm thread.


The hardware store may have sold you an inch size bolt -- 1/4" or 5/16". Or the threads may have been so boogered up that nothing will fit. You may be able to clean up the threads with the appropriate size tap.

[Redman]

.....
......

now I just need to figure out why my throttle won't snap back.

The spring is on the carburator rack.
If the throttle does return but slowley, maybe just need to lubricate the cable and/or the shaft that goes along all the carbs.

.

[Steve]

It's probably the same as my wife's '82 850L, which would be an 8 x 1.25 bolt.

Steve did you mean 6x1.25? 8 too large.

Nope -- 6mm threads have a 1.00mm pitch. 8mm threads have a 1.25mm pitch.
If the tank is held in with two vertical bolts, they are 6mm threads.
If the tank is held in with one horizontal bolt, it has an 8mm thread.

Sorry about the mis-information, I have not had to work on her bike lately.

Yes, there are TWO bolts holding the tank down, so it's like bwringer says, they are 6 x 1.0 mm bolts

I have been doing more work lately on '80 and '80 850Gs, and they have the single 8mm bolts, so I was getting cornfused.

.

[Ohioan]

It's alright Steve, I forgive you!

[Danjal]

The spring is on the carburator rack.
If the throttle does return but slowley, maybe just need to lubricate the cable and/or the shaft that goes along all the carbs.

.

Or the cable broke.

[davidduarte]

Lowes has a pretty good selection of standard and metric nuts and bolts. I recently replaced the choke screw on my bike (http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=160498). According to TheVillainDylan, True Value hardware stores also have a good selection. If you have digital calipers then you can size up the bolt(s) you have and find an appropriate replacement, or just bring the old one with you to the store.