Suspension Rear shock bolt

[Troy]

The acorn nut on the top shock bolt has gone awol along with the threaded bit inside it.This leaves me with just the stud part which the shock bush slides on to.(hope this is making sense)
In my manual,it shows it as a bolt but to me it looks very attached to the frame.I can't get to the back of it as the rear mudguard is in the way.
I was thinking about drilling it out and installing a new bolt but I'd ask first to see if anyone else has had this happen.
1990 1200 sportie.

[Alan B]

I've got a feeling the manual is correct. the bolt head is between the mudguard and frame tho that is from memory and I may be wrong.
Alan B

[Troy]

I've undone enough bolts to lift the mudguard up to see the back.
No bolt head.Just a round disc.This could be the head of a recessed coachbolt type thing but I've given it a good whack and nothing is moving.Can't get the mudguard off as I can't get the bike off the ground to get the wheel off on my own.Pretty pissed off now.Holding hammer and regarding bike with a malevolent look.
Need beer and lift.

[banquo]

Sounds like a repair manual and Parts Book would come in useful....

You could make yourself a cheap bike lift here. Note the special requirements for Sportsters, especially the stability bit.

Also, giving the remains of the bolt a dose of quality penetrating oil every time you pass the bike might be a good idea; it's not going to want to come out after nearly 20 years in there.

I am not familiar at all with the set up on this, but anyone who has a Parts Books should be able to tell you how it goes together. On other machinery, the presence of a disc shaped head, with no hex head, might suggest it's a press fit in the frame, possibly with splines to stop it turning, but that's only a guess, so don't act on it...

addition: BTW: in your second photo, it looks like the rusty bit is a sleeve, and not actually attached to the bolt, although it could be welded on with rust by now... If you can see a clear annulus between what's left of the bolt, and the outer ring, then it is a sleeve, and it would be a good thing to get that off, so you can get oily stuff in around the bit where the bolt comes through the frame. A nut splitter might get the sleeve off the bolt, if traditional means (penetrating oil, heat, etc.) don't. If it is a sleeve, you're not going to get the bolt out until the sleeve's removed from it. Just an idea..

[Bilbo]

If it's the end of a threaded bolt, a local machine/engineering shop should be able to get it out for you with a stud extractor.

Or, failing that, drill and tap to accept a new bolt.

[locust]

You could always burn the bike

[Troy]

I don't think it's a sleeve.I had chat with Brian (Locust) tonight about the whole setup.
I have a very good repair manual.
It looks like it's just siezed in.Getting the bike up on stand tommorow and I'll get the mudgaurd and wheel out.this will enable me to get to the back of it.
Also this gives me a wheel and a mudguard to sell on e-bay after I've burnt the rest of the bike .I'll keep you posted.

[kiwidave]

My own experience is that it is just a press fit. With the wheel out, try a rubber mallet on the shock end. Or, seeing as that entire bolt is now stuffed, even the dreaded No 1 Tool (ferk-off club hammer). I reckon it will fall out....

No warranty with this recollection

[nick]

i'm with bilbo - it is a stud bolt going into a threaded bit on the frame.

[nick]

PS

im talking about an 06 sporty which is what i have got