Topic: '77 750F Finally started...got a good 20 minutes before roadblock

[afastman]

So I started tearing down my 77 750F today.  My first task was to get the carbs off and cleaned out as the bike has sat for 2 years.  I got the cables detached, manifold clamps off and the top airbox bolts out.  I got one of the bolts out fro the bottom of the airbox.  The other is spinning, but not loosening at all.  I managed to round the head with a ratchet and if i grab it with  a pliers, I can turn it, but that is all.  It just spins.  Someone, please give me the magic combination to bust this guy out.  I cannot see any other way to get the airbox out without splitting it.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Been there done that. I wedged a large flat bladed screw driver in between the plastic and the bolt just enough to stop it from spinning. 

[afastman]

between the plastic and the washer?  right on top???

[Patrick]

On my '78 F, the air box bolt screws into a long nut that comes out of the bottom of the case. Look on the bottom. See if you can push the nut back up into the case or grab it with a wrench or socket.

[afastman]

I just wanted to be clear that it is this bolt about which I speak.  There is a very small, thin-ish washer in between the head and the plastic.  I could not feel any holes or recesses in the bottom to grab the nut at the other end, but I will admit that was at 10 pm after 3 Guinesses.

[Patrick]

Yeah, that's the one.

[afastman]

I will have to get down there with a flashlight and dental mirror to have a better look, then.  I am correct in the assertion that it is not coming out without without splitting the box, correct?

[Patrick]

It's one of the two bolts that split the box. The nut is a couple inches long and goes halfway through the box and sits flush with the bottom.

[afastman]

No holes in the bottom of the airbox to access the nut.  Cannot get a screwdriver between the plastic and washer, nor the washer and bolt head.  Any other thoughts?  This is Killing me.  I have saturated the whole thing in PB Blaster hoping...

[punch455]

It sounds as though the plastic well on the bottom of the airbox that holds the lower nut in place is stripped.  This well basically keeps the lower nut from turning while you loosen the top bolt.  Can you feel the nut turning as you spin the bolt from the top?  All this aside, you should be able to remove the box without having to split it.  The only time (on my '78F which has the same carbs/box)  that I have to split the airbox is on RE-assembly.  Loosen up the boots all the way, push back on the box to clear the intake runners, and slide the entire box out towards the right-hand side of the bike. (Toward the kick starter).  Once you get the box out as one unit, you can address the stripped lower nut housing.  Good Luck!!

[afastman]

I was too afraid of hurting the choke assembly.  It seems to hang up there