Hope everyone's enjoying the spring riding. I have two issues and I'd like some advice/opinions.

1. My right side tank bolt is stripped. I have filed it down and tried to get a smaller socket or wrench on it and the wear of my attacking it have created a tapering along the sides and the tool slips off. I really need to clean my air filter.

My idea is to use a dremel and cut a flathead groove in it and use a large screwdriver to remove it. I've let it soak with some penetrating oil on it too.

2. Similar problem with my oil drain plug. Both of these bolts were put back on by my shop when they serviced the bike. Since my "service agreement" expired now I'd have to pay them their $50 to loosen two bolts.

The drain plug (17MM) isn't in as bad shape but I really don't want to take a dremel to it. I have put the bike down on its side (actually against something) and tapped the drain plug firmly with a hammer to attempt to loosen it. This didn't work.

Do you have any suggestions? The shop I go to is fairly busy and tend to give me a "Oh, you're not a Harley rider" attitude. I'd like to fix this myself. I have already purchased two replacement bolts for this problem.

Any suggestions are welcomed.

MMMMMMMMM, depending on the access to the tank bolt, and you have really stripped the head then the best option is to get a hacksaw, and cut a groove straight through the middle. Use a screwdriver to undo, if you cannot undo with a screwdriver due to tightness, use/borrow an impact driver which slowly but surely will drive it out. You may be able to do this on the drainbolt but i am not sure cos i havent looked at the access. You should be careful whilst doing all of this because you dont want to damage ur tank or engine,

For the tank bolt, you're Dremmel idea sounds like it would work.  You could also use a Screw Extractor to take it out (use a drill to first drill a pilot hole).  This method work very well and will almost certainly take care of your problem.


As for the 17mm oil drain bolt, are you sure its all the way stipped?  The shop probably put it on with an air ratchet and I doubt you'll be able to get it off with a screw driver.  Maybe a vice grips if you can get enough of the surface into the grips.  


Adam

You can get bolt extractor sockets from Craftsman/Sears that should take care of both of those, they have flukes on the inside that dig deeper into the bolt head the more you crank on them, I haven't used 'em, but I've heard recommendations more than a few times.

After you're done, get thee to a hardware store / bikebandit.com(for the drain plug, they do sell these don't they?) for new replacements, JIC.

I'm going to try the bolt extractor sockets first. Thanks!

You can try with a good pair of vice grips. A screwdriver will likely not have enough torque. You can get a replacement at any car parts store.

The drain plug doesn't have enough room for vice grips, and the tank bolt is so tapered that the vice grips I have slip off. I've been killing my hands with this. Hopefully the bolt extractor sockets will work. If not, then its time for the dremel.

You just need bigger vice grips..

If you don't want to save the bolts you can use a hammer and chisel to get the bolt off.

Place the chisel onto the bolt head with enough angle that it will rotate the bolt when hit.  Gently but firmly hit the chisel, the chisel should dig into the bolt head a bit and after a few raps with the hammer even the most stubborn bolts will 'usually' let go enough to then switch to vice grips or pliers.  I have extracted a fair share of stubborn bolts using this technique.  

Good luck and be careful
Conrad

Get a bigger hammer!!!

JK, not sure of the space aloted here, but the screw/bolt extractor and re-tap the treads to make sure this doesn't happen again, by the way never use air tools to loosen things you normal do by hand.  I know how shops are though, but for future reference.

Air tools are bad, you really aren't even supposed to tighten your lug nuts on your car with them, but aren't they fun and quick hehe.