Help with spinning bolt

damz · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Karma :

THe fuel tank on my zx7r is held on by four bolts, two under the seat and two near the handle bars. 3 of the bolts were fine. However the 4th one, at the front right hand side has seriously pissed me off. the threaded part that it bolts into has come loose while i was around half way through bolting it so now all it does is spin in both directions. I cant get to the threaded bit as its in the frame and i cant take the tank off.

any suggestions on what to do?
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Current Bikes RVF400 - 94
Cars: RX7 FD, Eunos Roadster
Former Bikes: FZR 250R 89, ZX7R 98

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Have you tried shouting and swearing while kicking things round the workshop?

Try putting something under the head of the bolt so you can lever it backwards while turning it. Effectively pulling the threaded part against the back of the frame. If it was welded on initially, it might snag against one of the broken bits allowing you to unscrew it.
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damz · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Karma :

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

hack saw through the center of the bolt head, then break the head off and let the rest fall through,
when you take the tank off collect the rest of the bolt and the offending nut
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0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

It's a well nut (rivnut) that's spinning. It has a small lip on it so if you press down hard on the tank the rubber gromet can sometimes press on the lip enough to hold it still. Or if the well nut is loose enough, get a small flat screw driver between the lip and the frame and twist to hold (it makes sense when you look at it)
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damz · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Karma :

finally got i sorted by using sheer force and lots of swearing.

however im pissed off even more by the fact the bike broke down when i rode it after Sad

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Current Bikes RVF400 - 94
Cars: RX7 FD, Eunos Roadster
Former Bikes: FZR 250R 89, ZX7R 98

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

If it doesn't work hit it harder / you need a bigger hammer.

Spinning bolts, i usually get something under the head and lever them up whilst undoing. You either end up levering the whole bolt out, or it catches some thread eventually depending on weather it'e the thread in the hole or on the bolt that's gone.