I just picked up a 2nd bike, and the previous owner stripped the allen head. Any suggestions on how I can get this out? I need to take off the seat to charge the battery.

The hex in the top of the allen bolt is stripped or are the threads?

If it's the hex, then you might be able to use a Dremel tool and cut a slot in the top of the bolt so you can use a flat head screw driver to back it out.


If it were my bike I would.....

1: First remove the good bolt from the other side of the seat.

2: Find a drill bit that is the same size or a tad smaller than the threads of the good bolt.

3: Drill in the center of the bad bolt just deap enough that the head of the bolt pops off or you can wack it off with a chisel or screwdriver.

4: If you are lucky, there will be enough threaded material of the bolt sticking proud of the frame for you to grab with a good set of Channel-Locks or good Vice-Grips.

5: If that doesn't work you will have to use an easy-out kit and the correct size drill bit and easy-out bit to remove the remaining threaded portion of the bolt.


Those seat bolts are very easy to cross-thread if not careful.

Good luck

You might also have good luck with one of these Damaged Screw Removal kits since the bolt is steel and the frame is aluminum.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&pid=00952154000

For $20 you can't go wrong and I'm sure it won't be the last time you use the tool.

You might also have good luck with one of these Damaged Screw Removal kits since the bolt is steel and the frame is aluminum.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&pid=00952154000

For $20 you can't go wrong and I'm sure it won't be the last time you use the tool.
I used that EXACT set to remove a stripped head stud, with some work it worked really good!

I'm assuming the thread and the allen head are both stripped. It's not all the way in, so they must have cross threaded it and stripped the head while doing so. I'll head over to sears after work. Thanks guys!