Seepage And A Short Stud - How Embarrassing

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I stripped the threads for the left side when my bike was not too old (I bought it new).  The dealership helicoiled it for me.

Later in life, when I was not so enthusiastic, I noticed one day that the acorn nut was missing, and the stud was about to fall out, too.
I already had two valve cover gaskets on that side, and had no leaks, so I just threw the stud in my saddlebag and forgot about it.

I always wanted to try those silicone valve covers.  Never got around to it.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Oh, and I think the short stud is stock.
The longer stud with the nut behind it is owner modification.

Not sure, but I seem to remember people sourcing specialty thin nuts for this purpose.

[BPT]

Thanks for the replies. I've had some other stuff to deal with and haven't gotten to the stud yet.  I will most likely try what PeterMC wrote about (and a few others) and remove the stud, check the threads, and then try to Loctite it back in at the proper depth. If it's too short I'll replace it but couldn't find one locally.

My local shop told me it's not a big deal, just use a thin layer of silicone to put the gasket back on and that if there aren't enough threads showing to fit a washer, don't worry about it.  Kind of like a few of the replies here, he made it sound like it was the least important part of the whole set-up.

I might try those silicone gaskets later on as well.  Seems people either love or hate them but I've heard plenty of good things.  Sounds like them being VERY clean (and dry) is the key to a good seal with those.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I would verify the length as stock before locktiteing it in place.
70mm
A new one is only 41 pennies??? 
07 12 9 908 142

If/when you do locktite it, you will probably want to use red (or even tougher?), because the temps on the head would probably liquify any lesser grade.

[georgesgiralt]

Rob, these are sold by packet of ten...
I've several left in one drawer...

[BPT]

Yeah Rob, I'll definitely verify. At the moment I'm not sure if I have one that is too short or if it has just gone in too deep.  Haven't wanted to or had the time to actually take it out yet to check.

I know they're not expensive but can't find one locally. I'll order a pair next time I need some other parts, if I haven't sorted it out by then.  But figured no need right now to get just that, according to what everyone is saying here.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Mikey down in Martindale will have what you need:
http://martindalemotorcycleworks.com/A55A76/home.nsf