What the hell is a bolt extractor?

[Arcane1729]

I've seen many of these online and am searching for this coveted tool because of this article:

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/9-steps-to-removing-a-motorcycle-ignition-switch

Yes I've decided to take the plunge and stop being scared of ruining it.
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Kymco Super 8 (125) Honda CBR 125
A2 2017
Teflon Mike: "A man can dream... but most of them are probably best not voiced.... Folk will likely think you are just mad, sad or simply a pervert."

[Fisty]

Drill the head off the bolt using a standard drill bit.

Remove the ignition switch then take the threaded part out using mole grips.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Baggyman]

a cunning way of inserting a bit of hardened metal into the middle of a snapped off bolt you are trying to remove so that you will not be able to drill it out afterwards

Never liked them or trusted them - for me, a last resort only and best in the hands of someone you are paying so they have to make it all good if/when it goes pear shaped.
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Old fart
Baghira, modded GS1000 and the T150 I bought in 1978 when I was 21

[ThatDippyTwat]

If the retaining bolts have "blind" or plain, domed heads, then just dremel a flat in it beg enough to take a chunky flathead. It's how I did mine after the scrotes tried to hotwire it.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[Pete.]

Left handed drill bit, gotta get the bolts hot to soften the threadlock.

I have also cut them with a grinder when I lost my keys at work. 1mm disc in the gap cut the bolts and allowed me to release the steering lock. Fitted it back with packing washers.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

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

[stinkwheel]

For ignition switches I've always just drilled the heads off the bolts. There's enough of a stub left once you lift the lock off to either simply unscrew with mole grips or file a couple of flats on and undo with a spanner
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Billy Balthorpe]

Ive had to do this twice, the first one was on my old FZR1000 pre EXUP back in 1999 when we went to the Pyrenees with 3 bikes in a van. By the time I realised id left my keys on top of the microwave at home we were somewhere near Montauban near the mountains. From what I remember I think we used Torx bits and just snapped off the little tit in the middle of the torx socket.
The second time was on a 2005 Fireblade, this time was a lot more difficult, from memory I used Cobalt drills and a good quality pair of grips. It still took me about 4 hours to get the ignition out without damaging the top yoke. A hell of a job!
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.

[Arcane1729]

Will this all work if the steering lock is on?
Mole grips = adjustable pliers? if so check. I defo have adjustable pliers like in the pic below
Combi drill check. Drill bits not check
Angle grinder however check.
Can I angle grind the head of the bolts? or is it too dangerous for the other parts around the area on the bike in case I jolt and cut them instead like a wire...

I havent actually had the balls to attempt this yet but are these threaded bolts deep in the bike can I reach them from the handlebars or must I get underneath the bike to access them?

Edit: oh you all mean the bolts in step 6 of the article: "Set ignition switch facing down and locate the two bolts that hold it to the underside of the triple tree."
____________________
Kymco Super 8 (125) Honda CBR 125
A2 2017
Teflon Mike: "A man can dream... but most of them are probably best not voiced.... Folk will likely think you are just mad, sad or simply a pervert."

[Billy Balthorpe]

I also used a small bench mounted vice.
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.

[weasley]

Mole grips (aka locking pliers):

https://billstoolstore.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/228x228/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/e/c/eclipsee7r.jpg
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[Freddyfruitba...]

Spookily enough, I was offered one of these earlier this week on my Groupon email:
https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/damaged-screw-extractor-set-1
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[redeem ouzzer]

In b4 Mr Autism mental block grinds halfway through a fork leg.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[Jim Mc]

They do work, you need to drill out as much of the original bolt first so you can fit the largest extractor in without damaging the original threads.

I've had it remove bolts that would otherwise not budge but it could turn into a nightmare if the extractor snaps or you damage the threads with the drill.

[pompousporcup...]

surely, i may be wrong, but, if you drill out the middle of a seized bolt and then proceed to effectively wedge the 'extractor' down the middle, all it is doing is pushing the thread of the seized bolt against the threaded hole it sits in, thereby making it even more difficult to release?

[skatefreak]

I had to switch the ignition on my NSR a few years back.
Ground the head off the bolt and shaft came out with fingers alone!
Once the tension was released from the threads the remainder of the bolt was loose as anything

Not everything turns into a sh*tfest !

[stinkwheel]

[Arcane1729]

My drillbits will arrive today- I have ordered the molegrips but I am sure the adjustable pliers will be just fine- to make sure though- the fact the steering lock is on is absolutely fine?
Also I keep hearing there are clips behind the bolts below the triple tree which connect it to forks- are these circlips?
Edit: Oh my... do I really have to disconnect the battery- I can't access under the seat without a bloody key.
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Kymco Super 8 (125) Honda CBR 125
A2 2017
Teflon Mike: "A man can dream... but most of them are probably best not voiced.... Folk will likely think you are just mad, sad or simply a pervert."

[grr666]

https://img.pandawhale.com/post-41794-I-got-a-bad-feeling-about-this-qdmB.gif
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Arcane1729]

[Rogerborg]

Bolt extractors are something that you'd find in a Workshop, which is where I hope you'll - eventually - learn to post these threads.
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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

[Arcane1729]

[grr666]

You have my every best wish of success.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[arry]

[Arcane1729]

[arry]

As above then, wish you every success.