So I crashed... already.

[Zekelom]

Nothing too major. Kind of depressing, only had the bike for 2 weeks, and now it is in "Less than perfect" condition. Haha. I will try to get pics of the damage up tonight.
Went into a left turn a little too fast, tried to brake, slowed down enough to make the turn, but I ended up on the gravel at the outside of the turn. Rear tire went out from under me, me and the bike go a-sliding.
Light scratches on left side of upper fairing, left side of tail fairing, lower left fairing, and some pretty hefty scratches on the mid left fairing. Bar end, clutch lever, engine cover, foot pegs, shifter pedal, all scratched. The major damage is sadly... on the frame. Not too sure of the technical terms, but the piece of the frame that sticks out, where the fairing bolt goes into. Don't know how, but half of it cracked off and the bolt got ripped out. Stripped the inside.
Now... thats aluminum. I have been told already that it wouldn't be too good of an idea to try and fill the hole and re-tap it. I would like to go ahead and fix these plastics and get her looking pretty again, but I have to fix this mounting point first, or the fairings will just be flapping in the wind. Anyone have any suggestions? Is there such a thing as a nut made of aluminum that i can just weld to the frame and have the bolt go into that? It would really be a bitch to have to replace the whole frame just for that. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[static017]

you have some options, put a sleve in it and try to tap that, or put a helicoil in it which is what i would do, or all else get a tap and tap it one size up and use a bigger bolt or be lazy and jam a bigger bolt in it

[DangerDog]

Helicoil it. I think that's your best option. Just make sure by drilling up to the right size to install the helicoil that you dont compromise the frame in that area, but I think it should be fine.

You could also have someone weld the hole shut, then you could come back and redrill and tap it, but chances are it wont be the straightest it can be. Also you'll ruin the paint on the frame from the heat of the weld.

[TarzanBoy]

Is this your first bike?

[Zekelom]

Yes, it is my first street bike. Poor baby I abuse her too much already. Haha. But like I said, the guy I showed it to said filling the hole in and tapping it out might not work, because when you go to tap it, the weld would just crack out. Do you think if I just tap it the way it is it will still hold? I mean the part inside the frame would be fine, but that nipple that sticks off the frame is half missing. I don't know how much of the threads need to be there for it to hold well. I would assume not too many, considering there is practically no weight on it. The helicoil does sound like a good idea though. Now I just need to figure out what size the bolt is.

[static017]

take it to a shop like fastenal and explain what the situation is and they will help you out with sizeing and everything. When i striped out my two brass screws on my pressure regulator they helped me out with everything but i did have to buy the screws in bulk though got like 20 of the basterds

[Zekelom]

I know this probably sounds stupid, but I hate bringing anything I own to a shop. I don't know why, but I don't like other people touching my shit. I don't even want to ever bring my bike back to the dealer, only because I know people who work in dealerships, and not that I don't trust them, I just know how they work, and their "Oh that washer is a spare" attitude. I like the helicoil idea. I think that is something I can manage to do myself, and it won't cost much of anything. Thanks for the advice.

[jyli19]

Was your bike brand new?

[Zekelom]

Haha. Brand brand new. Didn't even do the first maintenance before I crashed. Haha. I was expecting it though, so it doesn't get me too down. You could say it taught me a lesson. Only for that particular curve though. I still ride it like I stole the damn thing. Oh, and my road rash is almost healed. Haha. I am taking the bolt today and finding myself a shop around here that I can get a helicoil at and hope it works. Then it is time to practice my fiberglass and painting skills. Then it'll be good as new... Hopefully.

[mikewills]

Time for sliders........