G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through July 13, 2004 » What's with the screws on the Firebolt, they are stripping! « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tatsu
Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 10:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Okay so I took off the passenger brackets so I can get at the screws holding in the heel guards. I had to drill the head of the screws off and then use vice grips to remove the screws. Then when I went to remove the other side. The bolt head stripped and I just had the fricking thing off the other day. SO back to the drill and vise grips. I take all the parts to the hardware store, find new hex bolts and try them out. The first bolt screws right into the first hole, but no go on the second hole. Grrrrrrrr. So I buy a thread tap and re-thread the holes and I'm back in business. I even brought a thread tap for the rider's heel guards, cause I already know those bolts are going to strip too. What the hell is up with the screws on this bike? With my luck, when I go to install my pipe, the bolts are going to snap too!

Semper Fi
Tatsu
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Barkandbite
Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Tatsu, are you using air tools or the freddy-forearm technique to extract your fasteners?

Buell is famous for their exhuberant use of threadlocker, but short of my seat fixtures, I've had zero issues.

Just to be clear, are you saying you are stripping the inserts in the screws/bolts? This sounds like either you're using the wrong size (sorry) or your tools are potentially worn?

I am sure you are more than mechanically able, but I can't imagine why you are experiencing this problem.

Then again, you DO live in Hawaii. You all eat that gelatinous pink wobbly meat-like substance there too, right?

That must be the problem... ; )

CHris
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tatsu
Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 11:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Nah...brand new tools. I am noticing a lot of corrosion though...so maybe the salt air is really killing the bolts. The fairings come off okay. I'm not using power tools. I like I might just replace all the bolts on this thing later on.

Semper Fi
Tatsu
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Odie
Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 11:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Tatsu, when we went to Somalia everytime we came back from flying we had to flush the engines out and rinse the entire aircraft off due to the saltwater eating things. I would recommend using some type of anti-corrosion product when you take a bolt out.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tatsu
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 12:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah Odie..
I think I'm going to have to do that. The bike is getting corrosion on the bolts. Gonna investigate what I can use. I'll talk to the dealer tomorrow.

Semper Fi
Tatsu
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Odie
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 01:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hey Tatsu, if you run into a guy named Jeff on a lowered Sporty with a Fatbob rear fender on it stop and talk to him. He's a good friend and was my student long ago. He bought my wifes Sporty. Very good dude. Also have a friend whose name is Kimo. Big dude on a little but wicked fast Sporty. They are both out there with the Army (Kimo is retired). Just thought if you see them in passing sometime and was looking for someone new to ride with etc.........Odie
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wyckedflesh
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 02:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

heh...Also have a friend whose name is Kimo. Big dude on a little but wicked fast Sporty.

Odie you just described atleast 20 people I know on the islands...not to mention half are named Kimo...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Darthane
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 03:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's not just the corrosion. Can't get my passenger heel guards off, either. Tried a couple times because I mount the brackets backwards to give my g/f's legs a bit more room. The damned guards hit my heel. I stripped two of them before giving up. Haven't gotten around to muscling them out and finding replacements.

Those are the only ones I've had an issue with, though.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

R1DynaSquid
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 07:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It could be a reaction from dis-similar metals. I dont recall what its called though. Basically the 2 diiferent material types will react chemically & corrode. Makes it a real bitch to loosen them up.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Darthane
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 09:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, could be. It's called 'galvanic corrrosion', by the way, and aluminum is the worst offender. My water heater's suffering from it (curse those do-it-yourselfers who don't KNOW how to do-it-themselves).

I had thought that both pieces were aluminum, though. Course, my ride is roughly 7000 miles away straight line, and we haven't really been acquainted for over eight months...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

R1DynaSquid
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 09:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I seriously doubt the bolts are aluminum. Not much strength there.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Boulderbiker
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 09:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

They are indeed stuck in there with plenty of locktite and mine did the exact same thing almost new here in Colorado. I used an impact driver to take them out. Between the 12 passenger pegs flipped around and the custom touring saddle my wife and I made last week, this thing is touring sport-tourer fast.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Signguyxb12
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 09:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

tatsu.....when you replace the bolt use stainless and a little anti seize on the treads....


you are in a "harsh environment"
and don't forget about Corrosion Control
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Spike
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'd say Dyna is right on this one. Steel bolts threaded into aluminum will eventually corrode and create the world's strongest loc-tite.

On my M2 it was bad enough to tear the threads out of the upper triple tree while trying to replace the steering head bearings.

PB blaster or WD-40 may help in getting the bolts out, but it's still a pain.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tatsu
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 02:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks All for the suggestions...

Odi..every on the island is named Kimo! Nah just kidding!(But hell I know about 30 Kimos)
Darthane what I did was removed the bracket hold the guards. Then I drilled off the heads of the screw and used a vice grip to remove the screws. If you do it that way you might need to re-tap the holes. I remember the dealer telling me that he used some type of Kerosene mixture on his bike. I'll talk with those guys this week. There's a lot of chromed out bikes here and a lot of Harley's, just gotta find out what they are using. Thanks for all of the information.

Semper Fi
Tatsu
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Odie
Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 03:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

HaHa! I've heard that before. His name is James Ramos. He's a retired CW3 aircraft tech guy. He is now working Government Service job. (I think he may be deployed right now) Great fabricator and good paint guy. Loves to go fast........good dude.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration