Ironhead 75 Ironhead cam cover - Screws don't fit missing bolt

[Kennyv]

Working on my 75 Sportster. Was missing the lower left cam cover bolt when I got it. Picture below shows the missing bolt. So I purchased this colony cam cover screw kit.

Colony-cam-cover-screw-kit J&P Cycles Part Number: 433-567
Manufacturer Part Number: 8783-8

I cannot find anywhere in the service manual bolt sizes for the cam cover. But none of the bolts from the kit fit that hole. They are too large and will not even go into the hole. I removed the bolt from the hole to the right of the missing one to see what size it was and it does not fit that hole either.

Whats up with this? Do I have a modified or non original cam cover or something? What do I need to replace this thing? See picture.

[Kennyv]

Here is the picture of the missing bolt

[doodah man]

it's been a while since i've had my cover off, but the bolt will be 1/4-20 and the parts book lists a few different lengths: 1 1/4", 1 3/4", and 2 1/4". i'd bet the 2 1/4" bolt is the one you need. you could also buy a good length of 1/4-20 threaded rod and screw it in five or six turns then mark and measure it and buy the appropriate length bolt. the threaded rod will come in handy again at some point for your bike, i'm sure.

[iNSaNeSHaNe]

Sorry I can't see the hole need better pic I guess or maybe new eyes..
I believe there is suppose to be a bolt just above the arow and it will be the same diameter as the others 1/4 x 20 is the standard thread for all of the cover bolts. If you have one smaller diam. you need to look closely and make sure it hasn't had the head drilled off of it to remove the cover . I have seen this a few times where a bolt is seized in the case and they left the bolt in the hole rather than trying to remove it from the case.

good luck let us know what you find.

[72 Ironhead XLH]

if this is the place, its a standard case bolt 1/4 x 20 maybe the old one is broken and still in there

[Kennyv]

Really appreciate all the help ... this forum is awesome, didn't expect such quick replies and nobody even gave me crap for asking a stupid question.

So I investigated closer this morning. Guess, my eyes are not as good as they used to be. There was a washer embedded into the hole. Little bit scary as to why the previous owner had the wrong size washer there and missing a bolt. I sure hope there is nothing broken off inside the cam case but I really don't want to open her up to see. If I do, I'm likely make things worse.

Anyway. take a look at this pic and you can see how easy it was to mistake it. That washer blends right in. That smaller hole to the left has a washer on it believe it or not. I took a 2.5" nail I had on hand and stuck it in the hole and it never even bottomed out. So I am going to try the 2 1/4" bolt. I believe the bolt to the right of that hole is the shorter 1 3/4".

Thanks for the quick help!! Now time to finish rebuilding my caliper, carb, new gas tank, rocker cover leak ... who knows what else. Really didn't know what I was getting myself into when I traded one of my guitars for this. Anyway, it is fun and rewarding.

[Kennyv]

And here she is ... a work in progress.

Looks much better with the mustang style tank taken off of it.



Before with tank

[doodah man]

So, what kind of guitar did the other guy get??

[Kennyv]

The guitar was a Dillon acoustic electric. Worth about $250. Altogether, trade value was about $700. The bike sat for about 2 years. Threw it on a trailer, took it home, put some stabile in the tank, oil and charged the battery. It did fire up and run the next day. It idled real high for about 10 seconds then stalled. Sounded ok to me but I probably wouldn't know the difference unless something drastic was wrong. I left it for what it is since the carb is nasty and instead of messing around with it just started tearing it down.

[Iron Mike]

That looks like a washer stuck in there.