Helicoils for my lower legs

Globalization ain't nothing new. This is the inside of the fork leg of a late 1970's 35mm narrow glide. The funniest part is that it's about the only genuine Harley Davidson part on this Shovelhead.


Anywho, back to the task at hand. There are no threads left in the rear fender mount hole on either leg.




HeliCoil to the rescue.


Drill to oversize. It's really more of ream to size at this point.


Clean out the chip, but don't get any in your skin or eyes when you do it like this.


Geez, even HeliCoil is made in China now. UGH.


Use the special tap make threads in the hole.


Looking good.


Thread the insert onto the install tool.


Thread it all into the hole.


That looks about deep enough. Note the tang still attached to the bottom of the insert.


Break off the tang with a punch and hammer. It's scored to break off so it doesn't take much.


Make sure you get the piece back out of the hole.


Test fit the bolt.


Do the same to the other bad hole and then we're ready for the fender to go on. Then take it back off and reinstall it facing the correct direction.