Bought this 1998 Dyna Super Glide in Dec 2014. While riding...I could hear, what sounded like to me was an exhaust leak. Pulled over...and lo and behold a head bolt had come unscrewed and fallen out. Anybody ever had this happen to them? Went to the dealer to get a replacement and they tried to sell me a top end job.."just to make sure pistons etc are ok". I know the head bolts have to be torqued in a particular pattern...will I be able to get away with just replacing the bolt and torqing it down? The engine runs great...no smoking or anything so I assume nothing was damaged?
Any advice appreciated
Crueltiming
Mesa, Az

 

Replace the head bolt, torque to spec, check torque on other head bolts and ride. Problem should be solved but just watch that head bolt and for any signs of head gasket leakage at the location. If nothing after 100 miles; problem solved.

 

Problem is on newer bikes, there is a torque and then a degree amount of turn to stretch bolts. Not sure about call out on your 98 or someone used an aftermarket headgasket that just calls for a torque. I would do what djl says however first. Nothing to loose. Just stay local for a while. Very possible since it came loose is someone has stripped the aluminum in the block by overtightening.

 

True that; happens all the time. If that is the case, the OP will find out when he re-torques the bolt.

 

Thank you all for the suggestions. If it is stripped..(I always assume the worse...hard to be disappointed) ...what options do I have?

 

Strip down to the case, duct tape over the piston/cylinder to prevent foreign material from getting in, drill and tap for Helicoil or Time Sert. Replace stud with a new one.

 

We manufactured a 90* fixture for that job here.
MOST of the time, that'll work, but in some cases the entire case will lift and no welding will cure it.
Case replacement time if that happens.
Scott

 

if you put the bolt back on,and it took the torque.you should be OK.if the case threads were pulling out,re-torqueing it most likely would have pulled the rest of the threads

 

Rear cylinder, rear rt side bolt? Did you actually see the bolt? Or is it just missing? Have you tried to re install a head bolt yet? It is possible that the stud broke off just at the head bolt and that's why it fell off. That scenario happened to me.

 

Front cylinder..front left bolt. Re-torqued it..to no avail...worked it's way out again after a few miles. I have a shop lined up to price out a fix...
Thanx for the replies

Crueltiming
Mesa, Az