1st class muppetry - snapped head bolt

[1975-S1C]

Guys,

I would really appreciate some advice.

Had to take the head off today, z900 by the way, as oil has been leaking from the front of the engine for some time now. It was all going really well then the little 10mm head bolt that bolts into the head through the locating dowel snapped off - Rats !

Has anyone else had that happen ? And how did you fix it ? I was thinking maybe try drilling it out and then helicoiling it ? That's assuming I can drill the thing of course.

Any advice would be really appreciated
Thanks
Paul

[chrisNI]

I'd have thought it's going to be pretty tough to drill that without some form of drill guide...

[Kwackman]

Do you know anyone with a milling machine?

I had a similar accident with my Z400J head, drilled it and the remainder of the bolt still wouldn't budge with an ezyout.
A friend has a milling machine, and skill to use it.
He spent ages finding the centre of the hole, then managed to cut through the bolt leaving only the bit in the thread. He picked this out and presto, the original thread still good.

[Steve Cooke]

The best way, although not the cheapest and you'd probably have to remove the barrels is to have it removed by spark erosion. And yes, I've had to do that.

[kev edwards]

I have had success with left handed drill bits in the past, just got to be careful though.

[1975-S1C]

Thanks for all the advice so far chaps.
I was chatting to a chap in work this morning and he reckons there's a place just up the road, about 10 mins walk that do this sort of thing. Before I try anything myself and maybe make it worse, I think I'll take a stroll up there at lunchtime and have a chat with the folks there, see what they reckon.
Cheers
Paul

[needaz1100r]

Thanks for all the advice so far chaps.
I was chatting to a chap in work this morning and he reckons there's a place just up the road, about 10 mins walk that do this sort of thing. Before I try anything myself and maybe make it worse, I think I'll take a stroll up there at lunchtime and have a chat with the folks there, see what they reckon.
Cheers
Paul

It's easy to dive in and with one slip make a bad situation worse.

People with the tools and experience are best used to do these little, but important jobs, and that's from someone who wants to do everything myself.

My oft repeated line - "the art of DIY is knowing when not to!"

[1975-S1C]

Indeed Mark. Unfortunately work dictated that I wasn't able to get to seem them at lunchtime so I'll pop in there tomorrow and see what happens. Cheers, Paul