Topic: Steering stem cable guide bolt

[The Gurg]

1975 cb750K5

Steering stem cable guide bracket bolt, same bolt that clamps the stem tight around the fork tube. 10mm x 40

I can’t get the bolt to thread in. Very lightly cleaned up the bolt with the thread file to get any gunk out. Looked down into the threads on the stem to make sure those looked good. A little hard to see, but I think all the threads are good. I think the stem is just opened up a little too much. It’s kind of a c figuration around the tube. Three ideas: use channel locks to close up the c. Use a hammer to close it up. Or find some 8mm all thread use that to pull the c closed then thread in the bolt.

Am I on the right track? Favorite option? New option?

[bryanj]

Try a G clamp

[newday777]

Not having a picture of how open the gap is makes it hard to say what you have for sure.... I understand your question but unless some monkey wonkered the gap out of line.... You would see if the outer surfaces were out of position.
A hammer is not a good option as the stem clamp is pot metal.
Did you try a tap into the threads? Sometimes a tap is needed on old threads to clean them out so bolts thread in properly.

[bryanj]

Lower tree is cast steel, top one is ally

[The Gurg]

Oh I like the G clamp idea. I think the one I have is large enough.

If a bolt doesn’t line up and start, I don’t want to go in with a tap. The tap would definitely come in at an angle. The bolt that I have almost starts, really close, just enough at an angle to stop it.

Here’s a picture of the gap newday777.

I loaded the fork tubes without removing the wheel, so I’m guessing that’s what opened up the stem. Won’t do that again.

[The Gurg]

Here is a picture of the gap from the yamiya site on a nos one. And mine at a more similar angle. For comparison.

[754]

Maybe your bolts are short, but if you pulled hard with fork only in the lower tree with no bolt in it would bend easy.
 If you stick smooth end of a drill bit in hole , you can probably bend it .

[BenelliSEI]

Gurg..... try running the bolt in from the opposite side. If the leading end of the threads is even slightly curled, this should clean it out? Also, you’ll be able to see if it’s misaligned to the over 1/2. If the bolt dosn’t Have enough threads, find one that does.

[754]

I think he has a slight bend in it and the outer hole is not centeted over the thread.... is the problem.
 And will be till you stick a close fitting bar in the untapped part and tweak it back.

[The Gurg]

BenelliSEI-
I tried to thread a bolt from the backside. The hole on the backside is too small. That’s a softball pitch right there...

G clamp or bending with drill bit are the two best ideas. Which to go with first!

[754]

If you installed forks with wheel it's easy to twist, .. look at it .,slide bolt in..is it centered with hole or not ?
 Clamp is hard to correct twist.l I suggest drills only because they are 1/64 apart in size and you will get a decent fit.. wear a glove.,
 The far end of the clamp where bolt passes thru is going to be surprisingly  easy to bend or twist. ..while unsupported... This all changes as it tightens up.l it can be very strong clamped... sort of like a certain frame kit...

[The Gurg]

Update:
Took the wheel off and removed each tube separately, like I should have done the first go around. That helped a ton. Then tried 754s drill bit idea and that worked like a charm. Thanks everyone!