what do i do now? helicoil? it looks like i need a long tap. does this happen often?

 

I would start with a normal tap (assuming you have one) and if need be you can use a bottoming tap to get the threads right to the bottom of the hole (although I doubt Honda went to that extend). If you can't clean up the threads then a helicoil would be the next step. If that doesn't work you will have to bore the hole out to the next larger size.