Stripped thread repair on fork brace?

[gnevelesx08]

I baught a torazzi fork brace on ebay. When I went to install it I found threads stripped on the right side clamp. My question is, is it possible to repair these threads with heli-coils? there doesn't look like a lot of metal surounding the threaded hole and I don't know what size I would need. I have asked the seller if he will refund the purchase if they can not be repaired. Aslo because of the stress on this area, would heli-coils hold? Please if anyone knows about this or have tried it, I would apreciate any info. Thanks
Dan

[Pat Kelly]

JB Weld, drill, and tap

[gnevelesx08]

Thanks Pat, I will make that first consideration on list of possibles. I have used JB Weld before, drilled and tapped, but am concerned about the stress load since it is the clamp screw/bolt receiver threads. I will need a good machine shop, I don't have a drill press to make sure the drilled hole is true.

[mro]

If enough metal around hole
would tap it out to next size bolt that would fit.
Be it metric or sae


mro

[Geezer]

I would need to see a picture of the hole in question to give you an educated reply.

If there's enough meat there to tap it to the next size up hole, then there is enough space for a healicoil.

If it were mine, I'd do like you and pursue a return for refund.

Geezer

[andnew]

I live in Enumclaw and will be home all weekend while the family is away. I have a milling machine, drill press and metric taps, welders...

we can fix it.

All it will cost you is gas to get here.

PM me if you'd like me to help.

Cheers!

[gnevelesx08]

I bow to all.
I got a great reply back from the seller. He said he didn't know it was stripped. He is willing to refund the purchase price, ($35.00). I want to try to fix if possible. This brace has a single allen head screw on each side of clamps. I'm not sure if I can post a picture but I think there is very little metal around both pieces to be able to re-tap to next size.

Andrew- Have to check with SWMBO about a trip to Enumclaw this weekend, have to get the roof on the front porch before we get rain again. (I think the fork brace is more important!) I will PM you if I can make it. I haven't even taken the bike off the island yet!

[Pat Kelly]

Can you drill all the way through and use a longer bolt with a nut?

[xschop]

alumiweld

this is a solid fix. The company is now online.

[Douglas Money]

How many here have used fork braces? Do they really stiffen it up that much? I am thinking about putting on a set.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Doug,

Well, TKAT once stated that he had sold about 1,000 of them over the years!! Here's just one of many threads singing the praises for his product!
TKAT FORK BRACE thread .
T.C.

[xschop]

fork brace

here's the one I put on last year. It really does improve handling, and gives a more stable feel to the road...chop

[gnevelesx08]

My tarozzi fork brace is basically the same design and mounting as the photo posted here by xschop except the joining brace bar is a solid piece. You can see that there could be some problems with drilling the hole all the way through. The clamp bolt heads are recessed and it would need machining a flat shoulder for the nut and washer to seat. May be possible, but once drilled and not work, I guess I would need alumiweld. I did see the web site for the alumiweld. These are all good ideas, I need to pick one to try or get off the pot (Toilet). Will post results
Thanks guys
Dan