Derby cover removal

[Brigg]

Another dumb question....

Went to remove and replace the standard screws on the Derby Cover on my XL883, one free'd up no problem the other 3 are solid as rock, tried to remove them with my impact screw driver, all i have managed to do is muller the screw heads...any suggestions without attacking the screw heads with a drill...?

[Steppenwulf]

Try and reform the knackered heads back to as close as original as possible,
BTW is it a torq or allen screw? On twin cams they are T27 and using a T25 will cause the same head deforming problem.

After getting the head back in shape seat the allen/torq socket in place and give it a couple of sharp taps. You could now do with a mate to apply pressure (or a very well timed wack with a mallet) as you make a swift, sharp turn of the screw- DON'T do it slowly, this just gives the metal more time to deform again

[banquo]

Yes, I chewed up my T27s, notrealising a T27 even existed, and having 2 'sets' of Torx bits that went strainght from T25 to T30...

If they are Torx, and you have been using a T25 on a T27 button head, you may well find that using the right size will still be capable of getting them out, even damaged (it worked on mine).

I got replacements from D. Middleton Stainless.