pilot screw is destroyed...

[GTalmageNOLA]

So I know there have been some threads about this, but I've already gone through and tried the suggestions, to no avail... I've thought about just bringing the carb body to a local bike mechanic who'd be familiar with it and have him get it out for me, but my ego has me wanting to give it one last try... Tried to drill a small pilot hole in it and use a screw extractor bit, but all that happened was the extractor bit removed more of the pilot screw which is obviously made of warm butter... Any help you guys can give would be amazing, pictures always help, and recommendations for what kind of dremel bit I need, etc. Feeling like quite the silly man at the moment...

[BA80]

Some have successfully removed stuck pilots but I'm not one of them.

What # carb is it? I'll see if I have one and you can just you can replace the body.

[TallBob]

Certainly not trying to steal the thread here or step on any toes but .....noticed you mentioned you may have some individual carbs? I would be interested if you had a #3 with good float posts and such. This would be for the 78-79 style. #3 has the idle speed adj. on it. Thanks, Bob

[DGXSER]

I had a similar situation, only I broke the extractor off inside the mix screw. I wound up taking the carbs to a machinist. He milled the screw out to the minor diameter and I was able to use a small Stainless nail to pop out the remaining material in one chunk.

[BA80]

Certainly not trying to steal the thread here or step on any toes but .....noticed you mentioned you may have some individual carbs? I would be interested if you had a #3 with good float posts and such. This would be for the 78-79 style. #3 has the idle speed adj. on it. Thanks, Bob

Sorry Bob. That #3 seems to be a problem child and I've used all the early ones I had.

A #1 carb body will work there also if you swap out the butterfly shaft.

[GTalmageNOLA]

Hmmmmmmm

Some have successfully removed stuck pilots but I'm not one of them.

What # carb is it? I'll see if I have one and you can just you can replace the body.

I believe it's the #4 carb, or #1... My pseudo dyslexia doesn't help much in this situation... It's the one to the far right of the bank (if you're looking down at the carbs while seated on the bike...). And I belieeeve the carbs are from an '81 midnight special... I actually have a spare body but I haven't been able to get the screws loose from the carb body's mounting points on the bracket... Already had to grind a large slot in the screws to get a big flathead screwdriver in but it has me feeling like quite the wimp... Any suggestions on this?

[DGXSER]

Lots of penetrating oil. Not WD-40, but PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench. Spray and let it sit, spray some more, let it sit some more. I have learned that this is the only way to work on these carbs.

[Prothec]

If trying to drill out something stuck like this, I always use a left-handed drill bit. Worst case, I drill a hole; best case, the bit breaks the it loose.

That said, I'm always nervous about taking a drill to something like a carb body..

Maybe a combination of penetrating oil and gentle heat?

[tarzan]

You will have a tough time drilling out that screw without clamping the body in a vise and indicating that hole. That is how I have done a few. But I do have access to a Mill. DGXSR is right. A Machinist will get it out right and quick.

[Petersg_99]

Do you have a hand/hammer driven impact driver? They're great for getting out screws and such on these motorcycles.

If not, I got my second one at O'rielys for under $15.

I believe it's the #4 carb, or #1... My pseudo dyslexia doesn't help much in this situation... It's the one to the far right of the bank (if you're looking down at the carbs while seated on the bike...). And I belieeeve the carbs are from an '81 midnight special... I actually have a spare body but I haven't been able to get the screws loose from the carb body's mounting points on the bracket... Already had to grind a large slot in the screws to get a big flathead screwdriver in but it has me feeling like quite the wimp... Any suggestions on this?

[BA80]

I believe it's the #4 carb, or #1... My pseudo dyslexia doesn't help much in this situation... It's the one to the far right of the bank (if you're looking down at the carbs while seated on the bike...). And I belieeeve the carbs are from an '81 midnight special... I actually have a spare body but I haven't been able to get the screws loose from the carb body's mounting points on the bracket... Already had to grind a large slot in the screws to get a big flathead screwdriver in but it has me feeling like quite the wimp... Any suggestions on this?

I'll check and see what I have.

I've gotten those screws loose with a good pair if Channel Locks by grabbing the head and busting it loose or with a center punch and a small hammer on the edge of the head.

I hate those phillips screws, good idea to head down to the hardware store and get some allen bolts and replace them when you go back together with it.

[le_bucheron]

I'm not sure but I thing I had the same problem. I hope my picture will help you.

[motoman]

I'm not sure but I thing I had the same problem. I hope my picture will help you.

Ouch!........that housing will still work fine though. Not so much for the idle mix screw. If it hadn't been ground so deep, could of re-slotted it with a dremal and the small cut-off wheel......makes a perfect srewdriver slot. Square it off and re-slot it. Even if slot ends up into a couple threads down, it'll work fine.....BTDT.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

+1

Do you have a hand/hammer driven impact driver? They're great for getting out screws and such on these motorcycles.

If not, I got my second one at O'rielys for under $15.

+1

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...&ved=0CK0BEMMf

[le_bucheron]

I throw it in the scrap. I had a spare cabs set...