Say Cheese!

I get back from work to find my BMC race and 165 jets have arrived. I could have milked myself with the excitement! So of me goes to set up the SV ready for screwdriver and hammer.

Found to my dismay three of the carb screw's for getting to the jets cheesed in true Suzuki style. I'm having to drill all three and two shall not be a problem, but the third on the rear cylinder has no space for a bolt on the other side.

Apart from a helicoil is there anything I can do apart from drill it and try to get something to give a loose fit (with reliance on the other two for good seal)?

This sucks. My make-shift airfilter was destroyed so I'm on the BMC and the bike is running rather lean. No overtaking for me tomorrow.

[northwind]

You could whack some tape across the air filter inlet in the maintime... Tried an impact driver, or are you past that already? I assume the carbs are aluminium, easy to tap a thread into...

If the screws are not so far gone that you have to drill you might get some ideas here http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcnuts/stuckscrews.html.

Hope it helps.

[rictus01]

You should,if you use a big enough drill, be able to just remove the head of the screw, rather than drilling it all the way out, lift the bottom of the carb off over the remaining stud bit and use a good set of moles to remove the rest.

Because of the double thickness of the carb base at the screw hole locations you get about 1/4 inch of stud to get onto.

If all goes to pot, let me know, I've got a good set of carbs in the shed somewhere.

Cheers Mark.

[embee]

Originally Posted by rictus01

...a good set of moles to remove the rest.

Because of the double thickness of the carb base at the screw hole locations you get about 1/4 inch of stud to get onto.

Cheers Mark.

Yep, and don't rush the trying to extract the short stud, apply some penetrating fluid, WD40 etc, gently tap the end with a small hammer a few times, then try to work the stud backwards and forwards (screw in then out) just a little at a time.

If it turns a fraction then goes tight, go the other way again. If you try to get it through a tight spot it'll shear off. Guaranteed!

Good luck!

Rode to work this morning without problem though its idling high. Had been using an impact driver but these three stuck quite bad and the heads really did cheese easily.

I don't understand what is meant by "the stud?". I've drilled one of the heads off and I've nothing to get to so was planning to go the full distance with a smaller bit.

Thanks for all the help.

Andy.

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by andrewcharnley

I don't understand what is meant by "the stud?". I've drilled one of the heads off and I've nothing to get to so was planning to go the full distance with a smaller bit.

Thanks for all the help.

Andy.

without drilling the other two screw heads off you won't be able to remove the bottom of the carb, so no you won't have anything to grip.

do the other two, then remove the bottom, hey presto! three studs sticking up 1/4 inch each.

Cheers Mark.

[Sid Squid]

I've found this problem number of times, you don't need to drill anything, and it's best not to as the material the carb is made from is very soft and accurate drilling is not esay on something difficult to hold like a carb is, each of the screws is accessible with a small pair of locking pliers, with the exception of one, which is flanked by two small 'ears', carefully cut these away, and you'll get your locking pliers on to it.
As the screws themselves are - as you've already found - quite soft, the heads will narrow into a shape easy to hold under quite moderate pressure from the pliers.

Doh I'm sooo stupid why didn't I think of that Mr rictus01! Awesome idea guys thanks soooooooooooo much.

I had that problem, or more accuately, Viney had that problem with my bike when fitting the Renegade Exhaust. He used a vice, and his wise mind - ask him! top bloke.