Derby cover bolts from hell
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Ct.
I've had the same bad experience in the past. What I learned was to use an impact hammer to loosen them. I hate banging on a new bike, but with care, they come out. I have had to use a dremel in the past and then a big screwdriver. I just did it with my new streetglide.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Smithfield, NC
I also echo the impact driver recommendation. That damn tool is indespensible. I bought mine from Harbor Freight and it works great and has taken lots of abuse and still keeps going.
I didn't need it for my Derby cover. Fortunately I had the proper T-27 and was able to get them all out, but I was very close to reaching for it.
I didn't need it for my Derby cover. Fortunately I had the proper T-27 and was able to get them all out, but I was very close to reaching for it.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: NoCal
as had to do the same with two of the factory bolts as well
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
one problem i've seen in recent years, is that some people will think that they're t-25 screws, but they're not. they're t-27's . easy to round out the head with the wrong torx bit. using a torque wrench is about the only way to ensure that the screws are at the correct tightness, and it also makes sure that the planes of metal are an ideal plane to plane match capturing the gasket properly. anyway, i'm glad you got it fixed and back up and running. also, i think those are blind holes rather than through holes tapped, so a bottom tap would be required rather than a tapered standard issue tap, unless they are indeed open holes, then a regular tap would work okay.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Just outside Dallas
Had that happen to me last weekend. I went to a local indy and he recommended a gold colored titanium bit (Dewalt) from Home Depot that has a small starter piece on the end, cost me $7. I went to Ace HW and got 5 chrome allen heads, 1/4-20 x 5/8 and drilled out the two stripped ones in about 3 minutes and replaced them all. I was using a Kobalt tools T27, and tried a no-name brand one I had when that didnt work. I actually twisted the teeth of the no-name brand one when I tried it, they were in there good and tight...
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