Riding with loose header clamp

One of two bolts holding a header clamp in broke off the other day at the head of the bolt. I had a planned trip this week, about 350 miles total, nothing crazy, and didn't want to mess with the bike beforehand since its been running great (except for the sound the exhaust now makes). Think I can safely make this trip and fix the bolt when I get back? The other bolt is old and rusty but seems to be holding firm.... Any temporary fixes?

 

An exhaust stud broke in the head? or a clamp somewhere else in the exhaust?

 

I apologize if I'm saying it wrong. Its where the exhaust pipe is first coming out of the engine. one of the four that come out. Each one has what looks to be a clamp holding it in place (with two bolts) and one of the heads came off one of the bolts.

 

I know where you're talking about now. I just wasn't sure from your first post.

How do the other bolts on the other pipes look?

IMO It really should be fixed. That cylinder will be running differently than all the others.

Quick fix?

Got a welder? maybe slide a nut over top of the remaining bolt and weld it on there through the center of the nut.

Pulling the exhaust doesn't take that long. Putting it back on might if you break a bunch of the bolts and have to get them extracted.

 

The other bolts seem fine, all have rust on them, and I suppose could be weaker than they look.

the only reason I don't want to touch it before I go is I'm afraid I"ll make things worse. This is supposed to be my first vacation all year, and the bike is the only way I can get there (wife needs the only car we own while I'm gone) and I'll start crying like a little girl if I don't get to go.....
:cry:

 

If you run with it loose you stand a chance of burning an exhaust valve.

 

Fitz, do you think if he rode it to a machine shop the way it is that they could extract the bolt from the head with it on the bike? Sure would be an easy fix if they could.

Loren

 

Just a thought.... As a temporary fix, can't you just weld a new stud (aka bolt with head cut off) to what's left of the broken one?...

 

Not much of a welder, but I have a friend who may be able to help me. I'll give him a call. Or I can pull out the screw extractor kit hope it works, and hope I can find a replacement bolt. My local hardware stores always seem to have a horrible supply of whatever it is I need.

Sounds like the general consensus is fix it before I ride it, or take the risk of making it into a larger problem. I have until Wednesday, wish me luck!

 

If there's enough left sticking out you may be able to remove the other bolt on that clamp, slide the clamp out of the way and use vise grips to turn the remaining stud out. Use some PB blaster, Kroil or whatever first and let it soak in.

 

I wouldn't even bother with an extractor.
Too high of a risk of breaking it off in there and making the problem much worse...

 

ok, I won't use the extractor kit. I'll give iwingameover advice a try, I think there will be enough to use the vice grips on

 

make sure they are tight. Very tight.

 

Another tip I saw here tape the grips closed after super tight.

 

Will do. I'll be careful. Just found the bus schedule so even if I make things worse, still get to go camping. Would have been more fun riding and camping though. Keep your fingers crossed for me

 

that's supposed to be a stud not a bolt, maybe there a few threads left
if you loosen the good one the collar might tilt enough to catch a nut on
(M 6X1) it won't be right but it'll work for awhile
give all of them a shot of penetrating oil then ride it around the block give them another shot and when it's cool see if the others will come loose
if one broke their all questionable, if you put it off it'll just be harder

 

oh, my mistake. I'm running home at lunch today, I just assumed it was a bolt. I'll pick up some penetrating oil and the nut (thanks for the size) on the way home and spray it down than tonight I'll see if I can catch that thread. I jsut assumed it was a bolt....

 

yes it was a stud not a bolt. I was able to remove the remaining nut on that clamp just with my fingers after I sprayed it down...which was suprising, the remaining stud didn't show any rust and looks to be in good shape if that means anything.

I could not get it to sit at enough of an angle to catch any remaining threads on the broken stud. However, i tried compensating on the remaining stud and tightened it back so that the clamp now sits at a slight angle towards the remaining stud which would seem to be a bad thing but when I started it up and the sound it was making has disappeared which indicates that it has a better seal than before???

I'm thinking when I get home tonight to take that other nut off again and hit it with some loctite and tighten it again than I'll take it for a spin to see if the noise is gone...or go to the bus station and pick up my ticket....

 

Quick update and a thanks to all who helped me yesterday.

Took some vice grips to the stud and it came right out. Replaced it with a bolt, as I could not find a replacement stud at sears. The noise is gone, bike is running strong, and I now have my ride for my vacation tomorrow.

Thanks for all your assistance and patience. I know my descriptive abilities are lacking!

 

Good to hear it worked out for you.