Leaking Rocker Bolt

Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
Anyone have this happen where one of the rocker bolts leaks? It's not the gasket it leaks through the bolt hole. I retorqued to 120inch lbs per the manual and still get a leak occasionally it just makes a mess on the bike otherwise I wouldn't worry.

It's the middle bolt on the front side, I'll try and getting a better picture but it leaks just a few drips then stops. This picture was taken after I had got home and probably 50 miles of leak free riding so it just splattered everywhere as you can see by the oil on the coil cover.

Other than pulling it out cleaning the threads and re applying red loctite, which I don't see how that will work. I'm not sure what to do.

Head pressure building up every once in a while and sending it out through the bolt hole? Weird....



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Brew

Brew

Troop Supporter
Wow your lucky you didn't strip the threads out at 120 in-lbs. I think the highest I've ever went was 70 - 75 in-lbs. There's a rubber O-Ring that goes under the lock washer that should stop the leak at the bolt...
 
roadie1389

roadie1389

Well-Known Member
Yeah mine did it. Took all the bolts out and cleaned them. Those washers have a rubber coating and act as gaskets.
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
Brew said:
Wow your lucky you didn't strip the threads out at 120 in-lbs. I think the highest I've ever went was 70 - 75 in-lbs. There's a rubber O-Ring that goes under the lock washer that should stop the leak at the bolt...
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Manual says 110-120inch lbs. I tried 110 still leaked so figured I'd try 120. No Dice and didn't feel like it would strip when I was turning it.

Anyone know the bolt sizes off the top of their head? Might just order new ones.

Where can I get these rubber washers? I don't recall seeing them online anywhere and I don't think the ones at ACE hardware will hold up to the heat.

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Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
My manual shows 100 to 120 inch pounds also. The picture shows a flat washer and seal washer. I think I am going to replace my seal washers also. So, I'll be interested in wear you get these.
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
Brew said:
Bolt size is 1/4 - 20 X 3/4" Check with Curtis, he might sell the O-rings...
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Thanks I can pick that bolt up at ACE.

Those rubber orings did they look any different than the seals you see at the hardware store?



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SKOGDOG

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
I stripped out one of them at 120 in lbs....I agree with Brew's advice to go with 70-80 in lbs. Helicoil is the fix for the stripped one--pITA to tear everything apart to get at it.....
Blacktopper suggested a longer Allen bolt, and I was able to find 1" chrome ones at a local hardware ACE hardware store. They give more thread contact surface and tolerate higher torque. 120 in lbs repeatedly on that 3/4" long allen will strip the aluminum threads in the rocker box at some point.
Eric, one more suggestion might be to use a bottom tap and clean the Loctite out of the bolt hole threads and follow with a spritz of brake cleaner before re-assembly.
I never have figured out how to properly torque the rear cylinder rocker box Allens, as the frame is in the way. Just to install it, you have to grind down the short end of an Allen wrench down to 1/2" or so----no way to get a torque wrench in there, so I just get a "feel" from a correctly torqued one and tighten accordingly.
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
SKOGDOG said:
I stripped out one of them at 120 in lbs....I agree with Brew's advice to go with 70-80 in lbs. Helicoil is the fix for the stripped one--pITA to tear everything apart to get at it.....
Blacktopper suggested a longer Allen bolt, and I was able to find 1" chrome ones at a local hardware ACE hardware store. They give more thread contact surface and tolerate higher torque. 120 in lbs repeatedly on that 3/4" long allen will strip the aluminum threads in the rocker box at some point.
Eric, one more suggestion might be to use a bottom tap and clean the Loctite out of the bolt hole threads and follow with a spritz of brake cleaner before re-assembly.
I never have figured out how to properly torque the rear cylinder rocker box Allens, as the frame is in the way. Just to install it, you have to grind down the short end of an Allen wrench down to 1/2" or so----no way to get a torque wrench in there, so I just get a "feel" from a correctly torqued one and tighten accordingly.
Click to expand...
Thanks I like the 1" bolt idea better if they fit,I ran 1" on the primary cover too over the standard 3/4. I'm with you on the tap, I try and run a tap down every time I have things apart just to clean it out.

Well I guess I'm lucky I didn't strip them at 120 in lbs .. I'm just going to go ahead and replace all 6 with 1" bolts now.

Do you have any lines on this bolt seal? Can I just use a rubber O ring from ACE?



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cdogg556

cdogg556

Guru
Hey Eric, aren't those O rings metal? I just did all that when I replaced the head gaskets and I don't remember them being rubber? I could be wrong though, they came in my gasket kit, I am sure Curtis would have what you need!
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
cdogg556 said:
Hey Eric, aren't those O rings metal? I just did all that when I replaced the head gaskets and I don't remember them being rubber? I could be wrong though, they came in my gasket kit, I am sure Curtis would have what you need!
Click to expand...
I don't know ..Manual just says seal.that's why I'm asking. Ha. Metal makes sense , a rubber ring I figured would just melt.

Never had it apart. Ill just order the ones I posted earlier they should be correct.



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SKOGDOG

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
They are very thin flat washers with a thin rubber like coating. I have replace mine and used them again with no ill effects. If you want to be sure, just use a slight bit of silicone gasket sealer
 
SKOGDOG

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
Hey Eric.....I'm at Blacktopper's shop to assist in a tire change, and was talking to Roger about this, and he pulled out a packet of those rocker box flat washers he had squirreled away for a rainy day.
He'll drop a set of 6 in the mail to you today if you pm your snail mail addy to us.
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
SKOGDOG said:
Hey Eric.....I'm at Blacktopper's shop to assist in a tire change, and was talking to Roger about this, and he pulled out a packet of those rocker box flat washers he had squirreled away for a rainy day.
He'll drop a set of 6 in the mail to you today if you pm your snail mail addy to us.
Click to expand...
Pm Sent

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cdogg556

cdogg556

Guru
Little-Boo said:
You can get the same pack of 24 at Amazon.com for $18.64 Free shipping. Just google part # Cometic Gasket C9226 :old2:

Carlos :whoop:
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How many sets of those do you have Carlos! Lol!:oldlaugh: Shit, between you and Ker you guys could have your own parts warehouse!:oldsmile:, lucky for me (and a lot of others) you guys got your shit together!:old2::cheers:
Oh, and by the way, my bike is running great! :chopper:Thanks for all the info and help!:old2: and yes, it is off the stand! Lol!:whoop:
 
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