Extracting a bolt from aluminum

Bones · Aug 1, 2008

I have a couple nuts to weld to the studs and hope they back out, and got new bolts also. HOPE that is the fix.

Option 2 is to to weld said spacers to broke bolts, then the bracket to that. It's all hidden under the plastics so even if I decide to run bagless they are not seen.

blacksheep10 · Aug 1, 2008

seems like welding to the spacers afte the bracket is there is a not go for a tig torch, space constraight. I can't see it though.

6uldv8 · Aug 1, 2008

Dayum! THat sucks donkey balls buddy!

I'd try Kelly's idea of welding a nut on them and hoping they back out. Looks like a very tight area to get a good weld on if it's gotta hold the weight of a loaded bag bouncing around.

Wish you were closer...we'd get them out or break something trying!

Bones · Aug 1, 2008

weld spacers to broke bolt, smooth out and weld the bracket to that through the bolt holes after I enlarge them a few sizes.

Found a welder and going there tonight at 6:30 to do the weld on nut trick and pray that fixes it. Rather not have any booty fab of a 2 week old bike

6uldv8 · Aug 1, 2008

I suppose that bracket is suppose to clamp up tight against the frame? I could actually make a couple pieces to replace those spacers that would screw on to the broke bolts (if they aren't mangled) and they'd have threaded stems for your bracket to bolt to. Problem is that I'd have to have some room...maybe a 1/4" past how for those broke bolts stick out to give my piece some strength between the I.D. hole that screws over your stud and the external threaded stem. In other words I can give you a bracket mount but the bracket might be a 1/4" or so off the frame.

Bones · Aug 1, 2008

Thanks a bunch, but I think we will get it fixed tonight. I am not sweating it anymore.

Was hoping to have the bags on to ride for 300 miles this weekend to see how it handles loaded before i got Attica and off to no mans land.

Bones · Aug 2, 2008

Went to my friend Josh's place to weld a nut to it. Failed, snapped the bolt off again.

So we head to my house and with some liquid motivation start drilling out these MF'ers. Cheap drill bits bring misery to jobs like this.

So after a lot of frustration we head off to buy some real bits and hogged them out and got the bits out! Retapped them to 8x1.25 again and all is good. Spacers are in there. Bags are on and look damn good, not as good as it looks w/out, but function over form right?

Off tomorrow and Sunday for a ~300 mile weekend trip to visit a buddy and then ride with another ST owner from the board Sunday.

Thanks all! and thanks to Josh for the help! I owe you one man!

6uldv8 · Aug 2, 2008

Glad you got it straightened out!

blacksheep10 · Aug 2, 2008

did you quench the living **** out of the bolt with pb after waiting a bit, then try to turn? if you turn right after the weld, the bolt is hotter, therefore bigger than the hole, and softened with teh heat. just sayin. it takes practice to get the formula right.

coll that you got them out and rock out with your sprocket out today :woody:

Bones · Aug 2, 2008

I am off to Des Moines, later ****ers.

Anyone want a 77 VW bug, it's in my driveway now and I want it gone. lol

muchado · Aug 3, 2008

Bones said:
I am off to Des Moines, later ****ers.

Anyone want a 77 VW bug, it's in my driveway now and I want it gone. lol

$500 and I'll come pick it up.

Bones · Aug 3, 2008

Call Tim, I bet he takes it. :

6 miles from complete break in on the bike already. Changing the oil real soon and a few mods to move heat away from my nutties and I am set for my vacation.