Stripped screws

[Never2L84Ridin]

I'm in the process of setting the timing on my xs11. It needs to be adjusted, and says to loosen the pick up base plate screws. I located them and saw that they are inverted torx. It looks like the previous owner had tried to loosen them before as the torx are rounded. Tried putting on the inverted torx socket and can't get a bite on them. Just curious if anyone had any experience like this before and if so what was done to remove them? They have collars on each screw. Any help would be appreciated.

Kevin

[DiverRay]

If the screws are beond help, I usually cut a slot in them with a hacksaw blade, or a dremmel with a cut-off blade. Then use a flat blade in an impact tool, hit with a hammer and your done.
Ray

[fxrer]

Sears (and maybe others) sells a "nut grabber", like the inverse of an "easy out". It's like a socket with internal spiral flutes which grab the outside of the screw. It tightens the grip as you unsrew the fastener.

If you can find one the right size, these work very well.

[2bhappy]

I don't know about the 1100, but the 850 uses some special screws that break off at a certain torque when you are tighten them. You have to cut them out and replace with new screws.

Marc

[fxrer]

Kevin,

Oops! I did not take note of your model bike, but Marc is correct. On our models (1980 SG), the timing was pre-set at the factory, then the screw heads broke off when tightened. It was supposed to be set “for life”. I guess this was done with the new emissions regulations in mind, to keep owners from fiddling with the timing.

In the supplement section, the Clymer’s manual shows the procedure to drill and remove these screws with an “easy out”. You then replace them with regular screws.

In my case, I took the bike in for early service and I seem to remember there was a Technical Service Bulletin issued by Yamaha regarding the timing. IIRC, the dealer was to replace springs in the centrifugal advance - I’m not sure if this was to advance or retard the timing.

When the dealer did the modification, he replaced the drilled out screws with torx head (socket type), which are still there.

So, you either have original snapped off screws, or torx heads that have been rounded off since. Either way, drill and easy out is the way to go.

[Winterhawk]

Just did a 2nd gear repair for a guy this week and I just drilled the permanent screws and replaced them with regular Phillips. Worked real good.

[edgo]

I replaced my screws with the same size hex screw that holds on the cover. One hex wrench now does everything.

Ed