I have a 1971 R75/5 with at least 110,000 miles on it. I recently went to remove valve cover to adjust the valves. Stud was already loose. It came out easily with the nut. I noticed a helicoil already threaded to the stud.
Is there a procedure to make the hole larger for the next size helicoil that could accept the proper size helicoil?
Thanks,
Skip
Quite honestly brother, there are as many ways to fix that issue as there are days in a year. The answer that's right for you lies in the list of your capabilities and your available tools.
However, one way that's very strong and simple (although not that elegant) is to use a bench grinder to shape an 8mm hex nut to enable it to drop down inside the fins of the cyl head. In this way the existing stud can screw slightly deeper into the cyl head, and engage the steel threads of the hex nut.
Because it's not elegant, you may not want this to be your final solution, but it will allow you to get back on the road while you consider other options. And becasue it's placing the steel stud into solid steel threads, it's VERY strong.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Yes, many ways. But since it's already been Helicoiled, you might want to try another Helicoil the same size with some blue Loctite. Don't Loctite the valve cover end of the stud.
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