Drilling Rivets????????

[AXE]

I am thinking about drilling out the rivets on my Zard Top Gun endcaps to get them powdercoated black. I have done this on offroad cans to repack them, but have occassionally had mixed results on drilling out the rivets.........sometimes they spin and are a bitch to get out.

I would hate to ruin the carbon on the can by spinning them around. Does anyone have any suggestion on getting them out cleanly?

Thanks!

Out!

[AZ_Scott]

Try using a Dremel tool with an abrasive cutting wheel to grind off the head of the rivet. Take your time, so you don't hit the carbon. Practice on one of the rivets that you can't see when the pipe is mounted...

[AXE]

Maybe I can use my Roto Zip tool with the "flexible dental tool" attachement to finesse them out. I think that bad boy turns 30K rpms. that would allow me to use light pressure to prevent the bit from binding and spinning the rivet. I am not sure it is designed for use on metals though. I'll check and see.

Out!

[infidel]

For 2T end cans i use a dremel too, but I use one of the rounded cone grinding stones. That way the tip centres in the hole in the rivet and you have less chance of damaging the carbon

[AXE]

The problem I have had in the past with small Dremel bits, is that they seem to disintegrate on harder metals. I am not sure what these rivets are made from, but they appear to be an aluminum at a casual glance.

Out!

[tunefx]

Originally Posted by infidel

For 2T end cans i use a dremel too, but I use one of the rounded cone grinding stones. That way the tip centres in the hole in the rivet and you have less chance of damaging the carbon

You mean "centers". Sorry, couldn't resist.

[infidel]

Oh you bitch. It's on now!

[Fresno]

Originally Posted by AXE

I am thinking about drilling out the rivets on my Zard Top Gun endcaps to get them powdercoated black. I have done this on offroad cans to repack them, but have occassionally had mixed results on drilling out the rivets.........sometimes they spin and are a bitch to get out.

I would hate to ruin the carbon on the can by spinning them around. Does anyone have any suggestion on getting them out cleanly?

Thanks!

Out!

I really thought I had more time to powder coat my end caps black. You're putting tremendous pressure on me.

[crashman]

I use one of the pointy carbide bits and really light pressure with my Dremel and that works good. I have had rivets spin with a drill but never with the Dremel. The carbide bits are a bit spendy but they work on all metals.

[AXE]

Originally Posted by Fresno

I really thought I had more time to powder coat my end caps black. You're putting tremendous pressure on me.

Yeah, but my bike is red so I will never get ahead of you.

However, my FZ1 is black and so is my truck, so I can at least make it through the day.

Well, I am going to start pulling parts to get them powdercoated on Sunday. I am going to have to swing by Home Depot and pick up some new bits, you can never have enough tools.

Out!