Splitting the f*%$#@ng cases

[randy]

Well, looks like these cases haven't been apart in 30+years. Recently I began a tear-down to repair my fried starter clutch and wouldn't you know it, two lower case bolts snapped. The #1 and the #18.



#1 is available new, but not #18. Anyone got any spare case bolts lying around? The #1 is a main bearing saddle bolt (#13 in the fiche) and #18 is a 6mmX85 long (#16 in the fiche).

TIA,

Randy, the bolt snapper Guru.

[Rasputin]

Pretty sure I have some here, two sets if I am not mistaken. I have a set of cases that are split so all the bolts are loose in a bag. If ya get the measurements (to make sure I have the right bolts) I can send em to you. If you want or need the set I have just PM me your mailing address and I will get them sent.

[trbig]

If he doesn't come through for you Randy, I've got probably a half dozen sets.. lol. I have a couple on cardboard pushed through holes numbered for each bolt, so I can be sure to send the right one.

I can't believe those two broke though.. that's really weird. Both of those sit INSIDE the case.. or at least both are bathed in oil constantly, so there shouldn't have been corrosion. I've broken a few along the front of the cases before.. 11-17.. but never heard of the others. Are you sure it hadn't been apart and the bolts Lock-Tited maybe?

So are you going to drill and tap them?


Tod

[clcorbin]

Recently I began a tear-down to repair my fried starter clutch

Crude! I asked in another thread if you have to split the case to repair the starter clutch. I guess this answers that question!

Oh well! I guess it gets to wait until it is REALLY dead before I do THAT job.

[fredintoon]

Crude! I asked in another thread if you have to split the case to repair the starter clutch. I guess this answers that question!
Oh well! I guess it gets to wait until it is REALLY dead before I do THAT job.

Hi Clint,
I swear that little clutch is the component they build the entire engine around.
Starter just goes "whizzz" and the engine don't turn over?
I'm not saying that your starter clutch ain't fried but what fixed mine was a fully charged battery.

[oseaghdha]

What's with the bloody rags?

[blue giant]

What's with the bloody rags?

That was my first thought!

Randy I have that bolt as well. Let me know!

Paul

[randy]

Ha! I wondered if anyone would pick up on that! Yeah, the bitch took her piece of flesh and ounce of blood when the #1 bolt snapped. I didn't even realize it till the glove filled up. Shame on me, I should have used an extension on that socket

Luckily, it was my left hand

[randy]

Tod, thanks for the offer. Yeah, all the case bolts had something on the threads, I don't know if it's locktite, but it's a gray sticky stuff. The stuff is still soft, but these two bolts gave up. I wised up after and used a gradual in-out motion to free the rest of them. I got this motor with Swamp Thing and it had 21K on it, and it's the original, so I doubt the PO had it apart, but you never know! It's got 44K on it now. I'll be tapping every f-ing thread on this motor before I button it up! I've got a left-hand bit set coming to remove the pieces.

Randy, bolt snapper Super-Guru.

[clcorbin]

Hi Clint,
I swear that little clutch is the component they build the entire engine around.
Starter just goes "whizzz" and the engine don't turn over?
I'm not saying that your starter clutch ain't fried but what fixed mine was a fully charged battery.

Yup. But it will also do it with a fully charged battery with a battery charger on it set to start mode...

In my case, it isn't a complete death yet. Usually, on the first try, it won't grab. After that, it will grab for a second or two before it releases and the starter goes "whizzz". When I was getting my bike back on it's feet after an extended no use / low use period, it was REALLY bad on that first startup attempt. But I do have to admit, it has been getting better now that I have 150 or so miles on it. Given that it has had this behavior for the last 21 years that I have owned the bike, I don't THINK it is going to quit working all together any time soon.

In another post, a person suggested that I try thinner oil. I have always used Mobile 1 15W-50 pretty much year round. This weekend, I may try refilling it with 10W-40 and see if that makes a difference. With the highs around here in the high 30s or low 40s, I REALLY don't think I need the "50" portion of the current oil.

[randy]

Hey, Paul!

Which bolt you got? #1 or #18?

[blue giant]

Hey, Paul!

Which bolt you got? #1 or #18?

Both! Ya want'em?

[randy]

Hang tight, man...a couple of others have already offered. Man, I love you guys.

No, not THAT way

[trbig]

Still can't have my Bud Light.

Tod

[cywelchjr]

In another post, a person suggested that I try thinner oil. I have always used Mobile 1 15W-50 pretty much year round. This weekend, I may try refilling it with 10W-40 and see if that makes a difference. With the highs around here in the high 30s or low 40s, I REALLY don't think I need the "50" portion of the current oil.

I would suggest trying for giggles and grins using a good quality conventional. It might be that the synthetic is too slippery for the little balls to grab and hold on reliably. I know your clutch doesn't slip, but that starter clutch depends on a little bit of stickiness. I know that HD's can have a problem with the roller bearings with synthetic oil because the bearings don't spin because there is not enough friction, the oil is too slippery. It might be that this is the case with the starter clutch.