Lost a cam cover bolt?

[Beehive Bedlam]

A cam cover bolt has gone missing from my cam cover. More than likely snapped or close to snapping when I recently had the head off.

This came to my attention today when I got off the bike after a 30 mile ride to find my boot covered in oil.

I know how to fix it but the problem is I'm currently 30 miles from my workshop where all my tools are.

My question is a simple one is it safe for the bike to ride it back to my workshop as is? I don't think it's a major leak and the bike hasn't lost much oil...

https://i.imgur.com/4Lcg1Bc.jpg

Edit - Cam cover bolt infact snapped when I was replacing them (easily done) I just couldn't be arsed taking the cover back off digging out the stud and waiting another day for the new bolt to turn up so I just put the broken bolt in as it was and this is the result.

[Meatybeaty]

Hi Ash, if you can get some insulation tape just to cover the hole , that will do till you get home, just make sure anything you put across the hole doesnt go inside, its only pressure that will push the oil out

[Pete.]

Spend a week getting a stuck thread undone and then they start falling out on their own. Can't win can ya!

New cam bolts are cheap but make sure it hasn't come out because the thread is stripped.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Beehive Bedlam]

Cut the finger off the end of a rubber glove and shoved it the hole as a bodge. My boot isn't getting sprayed with oil and I haven't been taking it easy.

https://i.imgur.com/FruQJ76.jpg

About 10 miles away from the work shop enjoying a cigarette in the glorious sunshine.

https://i.imgur.com/UhtPL42.jpg

Shouldn't take too long to whip the cam cover off to investigate I'm hoping there's some stud poking out of the cam cap so I can get some pliers on it.

Where could I buy a replacement cam cover bolt over the counter? I don't want to have go wait until Tuesday...

[Meatybeaty]

Hi Ash dont think you will get one on the way home unless there's a yamaha outlet near you, Fowlers looks the best though Part number 90109-066F0-00

[Beehive Bedlam]

Found the missing bolt whilst removing the cover.

https://i.imgur.com/1AL8kPi.jpg

Looks like the stud will need drilling to get a stud extractor in.

https://i.imgur.com/803o38g.jpg

Am I going to mess the timing up removing the cam cap covers?

The chain tensioner is direct behind the engine and only possible to reach with the carbs removed so I would like to avoid that if possible. I need to get to work tomorrow.

[Beehive Bedlam]

Threads are likely stripped in the cap cover? I don't have a heli coil kit or drill bits for that matter.

I've just been fantasising about a blob of jb weld and putting the broken bolt back in the cover as is.

I know it makes sense to do it properly while I've got the cover off but time isn't on my side.

Is my fantasy a viable long term solution?

[Meatybeaty]

Hi Ash, at this point you wont have to remove the cam caps or change any timing its just a matter of drilling out the remains of the bolt, past the cam cap, but put something around the area to collect the swarf from the drilling to stop it going into the engine

[Beehive Bedlam]

[Meatybeaty]

If you can Ash, get a right angled drill attachment to drill the bolt out, but if you've not got the time now , just make good and drill it out when you got more time

[Beehive Bedlam]

https://i.imgur.com/avHY5DX.jpg

Just a blob on the end will it hold?

[Meatybeaty]

It may be better to put some sealer under the bolt head to hold it in till youve got chance to do it right, that should keep the oil in

[Rogerborg]

If it's just to hold the remains in place and keep the oil on the inside, I'd be tempted to use silicone sealant, RTV by preference, plumbers if you have that.

[UPDATE - beaten to it]

Just to check, that bolt is there purely to hold the cam cover on?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Meatybeaty]

Thats right Roger ,just the eight bolts

[Beehive Bedlam]

Yes the bolt is to just hold the cam cover in place. I have tried tapping in an over sized torx bit with out luck simply isn't enough space.

The only way I can see it coming out is removing the cam covers drilling the fucker and then it will probably need tapping easy enough yes but before that the air filter then carbs and all the cables have to come out just to get at the chain tensioner.

Mhmmm I think I'll try budging it with silicone for now.

[Meatybeaty]

Good thinking Ash, gives you some time to get it done right, there's alot of good angled drills out there ,might be worth investing in one

[Beehive Bedlam]