Replacing Seat Nut Inserts

[ohioyj]

For quite a while now I've had one of the inserts for my seat bolt spinning in the rear sub frame. This is actually a pretty easy fix, however there is very little information out there on it so I decided to do a quick write up on it. In particular because most of the information I came across just automatically recommend people take this in to a shop.

First step is removing the upper half of the rear body work.



You will have access to the bottom of the insert on both sides.



As for removing it, you have a few options. In perfect world you would drill mostly through it, but without harming any of the subframe. If it still has some grip sometimes you can use some superglue to get it to attach to help drill it. Remember though you CAN NOT enlarge this hole. However it's highly likely that won't work at all, and you will be stuck carefully grinding it. I used a dremel and carefully ground through the head untill only a thin part of it was left. You don't need to remove all of it. See below:



Then using a punch in the center, as we don't care about the threads of this insert give it a good smack. Remember the subframe isn't steel, if it's not moving, stop. Remove more material. Don't go swinging at it with a sledge.

[ohioyj]

I drove it through without much trouble, with a regular hammer.



Old insert, next to a new stainless insert. The inserts are M6x1.0 that I'm using for my 2007 R6. I picked up 40 of these inserts for $12, you can get less for cheaper obviously.



It is generally recommended to use an installation tool when installing these inserts (Nutserts). I'm using SmittyBilt's kit, which set me back $42. There are ways to install these without the tool, if you are going to try this without the tool, try it first off the bike in a piece of scrap, and use high quality bolts. You can find plenty of YouTube videos on this tool-less method.



As for the tool, thread the insert on the end, place it in the hole, squeeze the handles. It's not like a rivet tool, you don't keep opening and closing the handles, just pull the handles pretty good, and stop. If you try and channel your inner hulk you are just going to break something.

[ohioyj]

Should look good as new:



If you are like me and slipped up while grinding, a little touch up paint makes it good as new again.

[Aaron Coomer (3.504)]

nutserts come in handy in a bunch of applications

used them all the time when the license plate inserts on honda cars would strip out from rust seizing. grind the head of the old one flush, use a punch to knock it into the trunk lid, pop a nutsert in. 5 minute fix.

can use them in body work to install accessories like aux lights (for ADV's and dual sports). dont have to worry less about bolts coming loose compared to bolt and nut combo.