Hitchcocks Forum

No intent to clog the forums: I added this post to another thread and there has been no response, so I figure that topic's been buried. I'm making it a separate topic.
2001 Bullet 500 -
During disassembly for replacement of kickstart pawl, I removed the kick start stop plate (#12 on Page 23 of Hitchcock's parts fiche) and bolt (#31 on page 23). The bolt sheared off with little effort and it appears that it was swaged, peined or otherwise mushroomed into place from the inner portion of the gearbox. I have a new replacement bolt but I wonder: do I need to do anything special with it? I am unaware of the means by which it was secured - will Loc-tite suffice, or should I just torque it in place?

Well, it's a bit since I've been in the box but if I remember correctly the bolt is peened over so as to clear some part of the k/s mechanism. Could quite easily be wrong but it's something to look at.

Alphashifter -
Can't comment on Indian Enfields specifically, but on many Brit bikes this part or similar would almost inevitably be finally fixed by peening the bolt/screw/pin, etc.--- The reason for this is that many owners when kickstarting their machines are inclined to remove their foot from the k/start pedal at or near the bottom of its stroke --- this gives the k/start shaft/lever half a turn of movement courtesy of the return spring (plus a backfire, possibly) to smash into the kickstart stop plate.--- Given this treatment, the stop plate WILL work loose, hence the peening.(On some bikes, repeated maltreatment as mentioned would actually smash gearbox castings, too........... )

As far as I am aware, these bolts are not peened over. I think it is possible that the stop plate has been rubbing on the layshaft high gear. To be safe you can use just a bit of loctite on the thread

Thanks for the replies folks.
I haven't had to do this to any other vehicle, so let's say I'm going to pein the bolt just to be safe.
Any insight on how best to do that, or should it be as simple as supporting the head of the bolt (as opposed to just the case) and carefully smacking the end of it with a drift and hammer?

No need for a drift Alpha, just tap away with a smallish hammer till you can see the threads squash a bit - no need to go mad.. Just make sure the bolt is well suported. Top of a vice is as good as anywhere.