[HondaGal]

Last night I'm fussing with finding the best place to run radio wires on the bike. I figure that maybe running them under the tank would be good to keep things neat. So, I get out the 'special tool' to remove the security bolts on my damper and the first one loosened with no problem. Now for the second......the darn thing won't budge. The 'tool' only turned in the slot. $#*!

I've sent off an e-mail to Scotts asking them for a solution.

I'm hoping that the .org genuises here may have some helpful recommendatins. To explain the bolt, it's a rounded head bolt with a hex indentation. In the middle of that indentation is a small protruding pin. The tool they have is a hex head with a hole in the middle. I figure a larger hex would work but that darn pin gets in the way. There's almost no room in the recessed area of the damper to get any tools in there to grind off the pin.

The bolt is a hard metal, stainless steel, I think.

Anyone have an other recommendations or encountered this situation? This is the first time I've tried to remove the bolt. It went on fine when I installed it earlier this year.

 

[ConqSoft]

Might have to drill it and use a bolt extractor.

 

[Skully]

I hope you didn't use loc tite on it. I don't think the tool is strong enough if loc tite is used.

 

[nedro]

Yes there is a way. Take a small chisel and punch the pin to one side then the other. The pin will snap off because the metal is hard and rigid and won't bend to much, just snap. Then get a torx drive the closely matches the allen size but does not quite fit. Drive the torx bit into the allen hole with a hammer. a few small taps to work it in is better than a couple of hard wacks. Once it is in, attach the ratchet (don't move the torx bit from side to side at this piont) push down on the ratchet with the palm or your hand and turn the ratchet with the other. It should come right out. Good luck.

 

[Keith1K]

that's what i would do ^ just don't let it get you agravated

 

[HondaGal]

Thanks Nedro, sounds like an excellent method. I'll give that I try tonight. Keep your fingers crossed.

Drilling the bolt will be my last resort but it will get me to add new tools to my ever growing set. I haven't played with bolt removing tools yet. Thanks Conq!

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[HondaGal]

Wow! I just received a reply from Scotts to the email I sent this morning. I was asked to call them and speak with Jake. We discussed the options and there are 2:
1. Nedro's recommendation or
2. To drill through the head of the bolt with a 4 or 5 mm bit. That will break off the head enough to remove the damper. That will then allow me to grab the part of the bolt sticking up and remove it.

Scotts also offered to replace the security pins or to send me stainless steel hex bolts at no charge. Very nice of them.

I'm very pleased with the customer service of Scotts! I give them a big

 

[Smitty]

Scotts is obviously right on their toes when a customer calls which is rather nice.

 

[Red Rider]

So did you get the bolt out?

 

[HondaGal]

Update: With a hammer and a torx bit, I got the bolt out...yay! First, I used a small punch to flatten the pin. A few rounds of gentle taps with the hammer (all I could imagine was me getting frustrated and beating the crap out of the torx) but with lots of patience and hammer control, the bit gripped nicely.

Whew...what a relief. I had regular bolts from my 929 mount so I now use those.

Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated!!!!

 

[nedro]

Good deal!