Stripped carburetor drain screw head

[anesde]

First off, thank you to all who asked and especially answered questions about starting a bike after a long rest. I recently purchased a non running '03 GZ250 with about 6300 miles. Excited to get it back running, partly so I can ride it but mainly so I can learn how it all works (strange priorities, I know).

Anyway I got myself a new battery and sparkplug and with a very small amount of starter spray I proved she can start up (for about 5 seconds). Took the carb off, bought some carb dip and getting prepped for a full rebuild.

My issue that I couldn't find using the search function is a stripped drain screw head. Seems that the PO thought it a good idea to grind it down to attempt to use a flathead instead of buying the right tool. I have hit both sides of it (exterior and through the float bowl) with penetrating oil and gingerly tried vicegrips. They started slipping immediately so I stopped. Brought it inside to a side room hoping the warmer temp (it's about 20 degrees in garage) might help me tomorrow after some more oil.

Any input on a better way to remove and/or where I can buy a new one to replace this? Thanks in advance to any help!
412

[gz4me +]

I purchased one thru my local Harley dealer. They ordered it thru Suzuki dealer.(none local for me). Suzuki item:13247-02340 ($3.22). Old SKU: 13247.13A00. By ordering thru Harley dealer, I did not have to pay shipping charges. ($19.00). Hope this helps.

[anesde]

Thanks! Ordered it off partzilla

[raul10141964]

thees are the best bolt removers I ever use
I buy this at sears

[anesde]

Ended up getting it off with normal vice grips - not needle nose. Bought replacement screws - just waiting for them to come in

[Water Warrior 2]

How many screws do you get for $19.00 ?

[gz4me +]

Screws were not $19.00. That is how much they wanted for shipping the screws. This was a online motorcycle parts supplier. By having the local motorcycle dealer order the items from Suzuki, I was not charged any shipping fee.

[anesde]

I bought two online for $7 plus a $6 shipping fee. I have a general rule that shipping should never be more than the product so I bought two screws.

[Water Warrior 2]

Shipping Fees................YUCK. Shipping fees or postage and handling fees are just another way to make more money. I paid $18:00 for 2 bulbs and the fees were another $18:00.

A couple years back I bought some stuff from T-Mart in Hong Kong. They paid the postage which was one third the value of the product.

Another odd purchase. Years ago I odered 2 jackets from the U.S. to be mailed to Canada. The jackets were ordered separately a few days apart. Same supplier and the same Joe Rocket manufacturer. Same declared value too. I was charged customs duties on one but not the other. WTF is going on at the border?.........................Just realized the difference, it was gender related. Only one was a mens jacket. I got to pay extra for mine.

[blaine]

I order a lot of stuff from E-bay.You can have two identical items.One from a shipper in the States & one from a shipper in China.The one from China will be free shipping.Just takes a couple more weeks to get it as long as your not in a rush.Example: A drive shaft cover for my 1100 was $32.00 + $18.00 from States.Exact same part from China was $28.00 Shipping included. ;) :)

[steelerdude99]

For misc hardware, I'm lucky enough to live near a good "mom and pop" hardware store that has just about every metric/inch screw/nut/bolt imaginable. Even a "chain store" like a Lowes has cabinets w/ hardware sorted by size, length and metal type. Take one of the damaged ones with ya, and find what ya need.

If ya find something that's the correct thread size, but too long. What I do is get a steel nut in that thread size along with screws. I then put the screw in the nut before I cut it to length. Then file or grind the cut smooth. When the screw is backed out, it chases the thread.

chuck

[Water Warrior 2]

For misc hardware, I'm lucky enough to live near a good "mom and pop" hardware store that has just about every metric/inch screw/nut/bolt imaginable. Even a "chain store" like a Lowes has cabinets w/ hardware sorted by size, length and metal type. Take one of the damaged ones with ya, and find what ya need.

If ya find something that's the correct thread size, but too long. What I do is get a steel nut in that thread size along with screws. I then put the screw in the nut before I cut it to length. Then file or grind the cut smooth. When the screw is backed out, it chases the thread.

chuck
Great helpful hint. :tup:

[5th_bike]

.Exact same part from China....

It could look the same but could be a knock-off made with inferior materials.

Most likely though, you get exactly the same thing, as most of what they sell in the US is made in China anyway (with inferior materials).

[alantf]

most of what they sell in the US is made in China anyway (with inferior materials).

This is the same as in most other countries now. Everybody's out for a quick buck. Just wait until every other country's manufacturing shuts down, and the Chinese have the monopoly. Then watch the prices shoot through the roof. :tdown:

[5th_bike]

This is the same as in most other countries now. Everybody's out for a quick buck. Just wait until every other country's manufacturing shuts down, and the Chinese have the monopoly. Then watch the prices shoot through the roof. :tdown:

That would be good, because then it would be competitive to make stuff here again, and you could make a living.
Have the Chinese keep their own crap. Like wrenches and sockets that break and crack because they are softer than the nuts and bolts you want to turn.

[alantf]

Afraid it might be too costly to restart manufacturing again. In England they shut down the coalmines and steelworks, to bring in foreign cheap imports. Now the start up costs means that they can't start up again. And what about bikes? Japan brought cheaper, better, bikes onto the market, and the British bike manufacturers went under. Then the Jap bike prices went up. Same with cars. My first Datsun was really cheap. Now look at the prices, and what happened in Detroit. Will the American car manufacturers ever get going again?

[steelerdude99]

It could look the same but could be a knock-off made with inferior materials.

Most likely though, you get exactly the same thing, as most of what they sell in the US is made in China anyway (with inferior materials).

Here’s my experience with Chinese fasteners. A few years ago I bought some lag bolts from a “big box” home improvement store to hold up some shelves to 2x4” framing studs. I was attaching a 2x4” across the front of studs with a 4.5-inch by 5/16” lag bolt. Every one of the lag bolts that I tried to install broke while tightening. That did not instill confidence in the strength of my end-result. I doubted my procedure of a pilot hole and I was very sure I was not over-torque’ing as all I used was a standard 3/8” drive ratchet. I decided the Chinese ones were just junk and took the unused ones back.

I got some old lag bolts that were about the same size, but made many many years ago (estimated made in the 50’s ? or 60’s?). I went and got some scrap wood to test strength. I did the same pilot size and turned it in and it did not break. I took a half-inch drive breaker-bar and kept cranking. The wood gave way and it striped the wood threads. Bottom-line: The old bolt NEVER broke.

chuck