Another great product that motorcycle riders might want to keep handy is the Time-Sert® Thread Repair System, made by Time Fastener Company.
It can happen to any of us with just a little too much twisting force: Hustling through a repair and maybe working without a proper torque wrench, stripping threads can happen to the best mechanics. (Add a little too much caffeine to your day and something by Metallica or AC/DC in the background, and your chance increase dramatically.) The end result is that you’ve got a part of your motorcycle that can’t be fastened properly.
Anyone who’s done traditional drilling & tapping of new threads knows how there’s definitely some risk involved in doing so. Whether it’s from cutting too fast, not using enough cutting oil, or just getting started at an every-so-slightly wrong angle, especially when you’re working with something as “irreplaceable” as an engine block, we just can’t afford to make mistakes. (Shown here working on the LC8 engine of a KTM Adventure. One of the 2 fasteners that hold the neutral position sensor into place had been stripped out.)
One definite advantage you’ll notice with the Time-Sert® system over other thread-inserts is that the threads you’re inserting essentially “lock” into place and won’t sink further into the hole due to the flange on the top. This “positive placement” especially comes in handy when you don’t have a blind/bottomed hole to stop traditional inserts from being inserted too far.
Another key advantage to this system is that you can essentially use your original bolt (if it’s not already damaged) and not have to change to the next larger size. That’s potentially one less tool you’ll need along the side of the road someday if you should need to address that spot again.
Check out more details on the Time-Sert® website. Hopefully something like this is never needed, but in the case that it is...you’ll be glad you have it!