Help - did I ruin my lower fork tree?

[Skull1300c]

Need to know whether I did a fuupa or not. I have a 06 1300c. My wife got me some small halogen driving lights to put on it. Without thinking I drilled 4 small (1/8") holes (2 on each side) of the lower fork tree and pop riveted the mounts on with aluminum rivets. Will this cause the tree to eventually crack and/or fail structurally? It seems pretty stout and I have put about 300 miles on since I did this without noticing any problems but got to thinking about it and am worried that it might fail and cause a serious problem as I realized that this is cast aluminum not billet. Definately dont want this part to fail on the road! I posted this to the general forum but didn't get any responses, someone with bike mechanical knowledge please respond.

Thanx
Skull

[coopi]

Skull, looks like you weren't using yours when you picked up the drill......
Any time holes are cut in a support of any kind , you make the support less able to hold the load as designed, you would not take a saw to your support beams in your house, right?
I'm not hating on you are anything, but the best thing you can do is park that bike and order a front fork.
Thats just my .02 cents , I could be wrong and you could drive it 50,000 with no problems, but if its me , I'm off to the Honda stealer and ordering a new one.
Just don't go to Schroeders Honda in Hendersonville,NC because they SUCK.....
Coopi

[KYVTX1300]

An Aircraft welder should be able to look at it and tell you if it should be replaced or if it can be welded back with full strength, if needed.

[mscales]

First, let me say billits are cast. The difference is a billit is cast and then machined to spec and a casting is cast in the general shape.

If you want the best mount with the least amount of pressure then tap/thread the holes for screws instead of rivits.

[Skull1300c]

Thanks mscales, I'm thinking that since I didn't hit any of the reinforcing and the rivet goes thru with a washer on the back it should be squeezing the metal vs pressure inside the hole out. My son is currently in welding school, I might just take it up there, one of the instructors builds bikes on the side and could probably heliarc weld the back to ensure that it doesnt split. Seems to me like all the stress is across the top and the reinforced sides where the clamp is. Have read other posts of folks drilling out the tops for cables and such was just worried about the front, I really like how these small lamps look under/to the sides of the main headlight without being bulky. Thanks again for taking the time to comment.

[peterambo]

Skull,

Where are the holes? If they are in the center section, not the straps around the tubes, four 1/8" holes should NOT be a problem, unless they run through a reinforcing rib. The key is where they are on the tree.

Can you post a top and bottom pic?

Hope that helps,

Pete
SOTMC.com

[coley]

Skull,

Where are the holes? If they are in the center section, not the straps around the tubes, four 1/8" holes should NOT be a problem, unless they run through a reinforcing rib. The key is where they are on the tree.

Can you post a top and bottom pic?


Hope that helps,

Pete
SOTMC.com

I agree with Pete.

[Skull1300c]

Thanks all for the info, the holes are in the center section and not thru the reinforcing ribs so all should be fine. I will check for stress cracks and replace it if I see any.