Kick stand bolts wont thread in

[DrImodium]

When I bought my bike, the PO had left one of the kickstand bolts out so there was only one bolt holding the kickstand to the frame. Through use, that single bolt managed to free itself so this afternoon I pulled the exhaust to replace both bolts with spares that I had from my old GS. The issue that Im having is that the new bolts wont thread in. Its almost as though there are no threads/nuts/anything inside the kickstand mount on the frame. I guess my question is, what size bolts mount the kickstand to the frame and how are they secured inside the mount on the frame?

 

[hampshirehog]

This is a PITA design and often causes problems. Suzuki very lightly tack welded the nuts on the inside of that cover and they very easily 'un-tack' when the bolts are removed.

I've done a few of these and have never been beaten (though prepare for hours of frustrating fun....not). My trick is to fiddle around with a bit of thin wire until you can find that loose nut and pull it back over the hole, where it's meant to be.

Others have had the same problem and I think I've seen alternative solutions on here.

 

[Agemax]

maybe drillout the hole and fit an 8mm clinch nut in its place, they are 8mm bolts

 

[razooki]

I had the same problem as well only I could not find any nut inside. I just leaned the bike over against the garage wall as far as I needed and drilled a hole all the way through the plate. Then I used bolts with self locking nuts as well as Loctite to make sure it won't come loose again. So far so good.

 

[DrImodium]

I was thinking about tapping the existing holes in the kickstand and the mounting plate, getting new bolts and using blue loctite to keep everything secure. The idea of "fishing" for the bolts that are "supposed" to be in there just doesnt sound like fun to me.

 

[Planecrazy]

The idea of "fishing" for the bolts that are "supposed" to be in there just doesnt sound like fun to me.

The obvious "followup" question is, of course, "When you ride the bike do you ever hear any rattling around of the bolts that are possibly now loose inside? If so you're gonna want to go on a "fishing" trip anyway...

Good Luck!