Stripped screw heads on master cyliner covers

[poknox]

I have a 1983 Yamaha Venture XVZ12. The screw heads on the covers of the resevors for the front brake and the clutch are stripped out. cann't open. I bought the bike used and need to check fluid levels. Have bought ne screws from Yamaha. Also need to know how to get to the screws for the rear resivor. I took the seat of and can get to the rear screw but not the front one.. Help!!

[FishWitch]

Originally Posted by poknox

I have a 1983 Yamaha Venture XVZ12. The screw heads on the covers of the resevors for the front brake and the clutch are stripped out. cann't open. I bought the bike used and need to check fluid levels. Have bought ne screws from Yamaha. Also need to know how to get to the screws for the rear resivor. I took the seat of and can get to the rear screw but not the front one.. Help!!

Hiyas Paul

You might check ISRA(International Star Riders Association)
or see if there is a Star Touring Assoc. in your area.
There is probably someone there that might be able to help you.

But then again we have Crash(Dan) our resident Road Star rider right here with us. He's always a good source of info.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

[shawn.m]

Originally Posted by poknox

I have a 1983 Yamaha Venture XVZ12. The screw heads on the covers of the resevors for the front brake and the clutch are stripped out. cann't open. I bought the bike used and need to check fluid levels. Have bought ne screws from Yamaha. Also need to know how to get to the screws for the rear resivor. I took the seat of and can get to the rear screw but not the front one.. Help!!

get a screw impact that you hit with a hammer
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46978
use the philips bit and just wack the heck out of it. I have been to recover a couple of screws like this. worst case is get a easy out dril set and drill it out with the reverse drill bit.

on rear take the side panels off. and their is a small nut in the front of the resovior that you remove. be very careful as it breaks very easily.
go to http://www.venturers.org/ and pay the yearly fee to join if you are going to keep the bike

also you can look at my web pages from when i had my venture - which is now tims
http://www.geocities.com/willyougo/1...a_Venture.html

[marko]

Watch how much force you use with an impact hammer. If the assembly is aluminum or pot metal, you run the risk of fracturing the reservoir, which will have you hunting for a new one.

Another option, assuming there is some metal on the screw head left:
If you have a dremel tool, purchase a metal grinding wheel that has a very small diameter. (DRE197 below)

Take your time with it, use a low to low-medium speed and create a channel across the screw head that will accommodate a flat screwdriver. Too many RPMs and you run the risk of messing up the reservoir cover. I would also get a pointed cutter like the DRE9909 so you can dip the ends of your channel to give you a bite with the screwdriver.

http://www.hobbyplace.com/tools/drebit1.html

Dremel tools are perfect for small, intricate jobs like this but you have to be patient when doing it.

[CRASH]

Originally Posted by shawn.m

on rear take the side panels off. and their is a small nut in the front of the resovior that you remove. be very careful as it breaks very easily.

Okay Shawn, I am giving you the UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR award ... those damn things ... if you BREATH on them funny they crack. They are weldable if you are good at welding (thank god I have a super talented welder that works for me) but just trying to "crack" the nut loose on the thing tends to break them. I have worked on many a Venture and can attest to cracking 3 in my life time.

[1911]

...drill the heads off,lift off lid and use vise grips to remove the remaining screw.

[scrubbed flat]

Have used an impact hammer on the front brake reservoir of a Virago perhaps I got lucky but it worked,but if they are that delicate seconds to the drill it out just make sure that you have it centered so you only drill out the screw and not elongate the hole in the cover


P.S> Thanks Avatar gods

[Wrench_Whore]

You can often remove the screws by using a small punch and gently tapping counter clockwise at the edge.

Many hardware stores have stainless steel counter sunk phillips screws.
They are much harder than OEM screws.

[poknox]

Sears makes a special set of tools for removing striped out screws. The set was 19.95 plus tax. Got it home and tried it it worked like a charm . no pounding or beating on the resivoirs. was very easy to use. Now just need to know how to get to the front screw on the rear brake resivior without taking everything a part.

[shawn.m]

Originally Posted by poknox

Sears makes a special set of tools for removing striped out screws. The set was 19.95 plus tax. Got it home and tried it it worked like a charm . no pounding or beating on the resivoirs. was very easy to use. Now just need to know how to get to the front screw on the rear brake resivior without taking everything a part.

your actually not supposed to take the lid off the rear resivor, your supposed to take off the small 12mm or 10 mm bolt off the front of the resivor.

Oh yeah and crash i have sold several of the resivors on ebay for very good money =)