So, This is my first post on the forum. My first motorcycle too. Im riding a 01 883C. Picked it up for 3100, with alot of odds and ends with 19xxx.

Im doing my 20,000 fluid change. The very bottom bolt hole for the derby cover stripped out, seems like a big issue. Anyway, i looked around online seems like alot of people use helicoils. Well, I decided to clean the hole out and tried to tap and di the hole and old bolt and re -thread it. Well 2nd time i tried i went right through the outer primary cover. I struck oil(primary).

So, with ten bucks spilled on the ground and not more much to spend, how could i patch this hole in the primary cover? trying to avoid the whole 200$ for a primary case.

Was thinking some sort of petroleum resistant epoxy? then using the helicoil after.


Any ideas will help at this point!

Thank you all

 

wrong forum! sorry!

 

Here's a link to the Sporty forum. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models-10/ Congrats on the new bike, sorry bout the problem. Unfortunately, the bottom bolt on the derby cover is the only one that might be below the primary oil level, others are all above. Hope they can help you!

 

No way would I spend $200 for a new primary case.

Clean the threaded hole of all oil using some solvent and a q-tip or something equivalent before reassembly and then use some gasket sealer or thread sealant on the bolt when re-installing.

If that doesn't work you could remove the primary case and get it welded, but I don't think that will be necessary as the thread sealant will more than likely do the trick.

EDIT: I just realized that may not work. I'm not sure if the oil level gets as high as the bolt hole in question on Sportsters (both my bikes are big twins). If it does you won't be able to fill the oil as the oil will drain through the hole as you're filling it. As long as the oil level doesn't reach that hole as you are filling it my suggestion should work.

Another suggestion... Can you see the backside of the hole? Any chance of sealing it up with some epoxy or RTV? If you can't get access to the backside of the hole with the primary case installed you will need to remove it. Once removed I'm certain you could weld it or repair it with some epoxy. Just make sure the bolt you're reinstalling isn't so long that it could break through your repair. Same for the tap when re-tapping the threads.

 

I tapped it out with pipe thread and used a plumbing plug and silicone thread sealant. Worked great.

 

Duct tape

 

J B Weld