My main consultant, the previous owner of my '83 Shovel, recommends using Loctite red on just about everything. I've always used blue but this is my first Harley project. I just wanted some reassurance on this. What do you use? where? why? After watching the video below, I'm a lot more apprehensive about red. I don't want to need a torch to remove bolts from my powder coated frame but if that's what it takes to get this thing to hold together, I suppose I should. I don't care to have a footpeg rattle off on the freeway.

 

Blue is what I use on any bolt that I may want to remove at a later date

 

Blue, but get the big bottle, LOL.

 

Yeah that. Or unless you are willing to take a torch to the bolt. Some places you can't get a torch in place, or could dame stuff...like the rubber on foot pegs.

BTW. You can remove a bolt with red locktite without heating it...but don't!!! The red stuff is strong enough to ruin threads when cured! Heating softens it to prevent damage.

 

Before taking any other advice, check their website! There is no such thing as 'blue', as I once knew it, as the darned stuff all seems to come in red bottles! There are also many versions, so read the specs and chose wisely. The traditional 'red' type is a definite NO-NO - that darned stuff used to set rock hard. But then perhaps your 'expert' has never come across that stuff!

Don't guess, check for yourself. Most of us want to dismantle the thing later. On the website I just checked there are 33 different Loctite branded thread-locking compounds.....

 

Don't use red on anything you might want to remove at some later date (like, for example, a rod bolt). Blue or even purple (do they still sell Purple Loc-Tite? for hydraulic fittings vs. teflon tape?) will work fine for anything that moves on wheels.

 

Tru-dat. One thing I've learned is that it's not as simple as Red or Blue. Just like politics. There are different grades of each. As a general rule though, the red varieties seem to be of the sort that require heat for removal. I don't expect to get this build 100% right out the gate. I'm sure I'll need to R&R at least a few things. Since the frame is powder coated, I don't what torch heat to be involved in said "R."

 

Medium strength (Blue in most cases) for just about everything outside of the engine cases. High strength (red in most cases) on internal engine stuff, primarily in the bottom end and primary...

 

see below
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...l#post15714302

 

If ya screwed up and used red, and there's no easy way to get heat on the nut/bolt/screwhead without risking damage to surrounding finishes, here's a trick: use a soldering gun.

Put the tip on the head of the fastener, give it 30 seconds or so, maybe a bit less if it's delicate paint, let it heat soak a minute, and give it a try.