Critical Fasteners

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Mar 9, 2023 | 09:57 PM

#11

brakeless

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 5,915

Likes: 5,929

From: NorCal

If you want to chase rattles or buzzes take a rubber mallet to the frame and non dentable parts. Best way to find them. And you can get your drum beat on.

Mar 9, 2023 | 10:00 PM

#12

Max Headflow

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,900

Likes: 8,007

From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbanchaos748

I've discovered that the bolts the secure my front motor mount plate to the engine are missing. Both of them. The road grime looks uniform so I suspect they've been gone for a while. Unless they rattled out recently, the last mechanic to touch that area of the bike was over 2 years ago.
Should I be concerned about any damage? Anything I should look for? What kind of damage could I have done to my bike while riding with missing motor mount bolts. Everything seems okay while riding, except for a little extra rattle and clunk when I hit pot holes and bumps.
I'm going to be picking up OEM nuts, bolts, lock washers, and washers as well as replacing the front motor mount ASAP.

You really need to clean the area, remove the mount and inspect. I'd be worried about the mount wearing into the brackets on the motor and into the engine case itself. The bracket surface needs to be flat for the mount to fasten to.. I'm surprised that you didn't notice any handling issues with the motorcycle as that front mount needs to be connected to the motor in order to stabilize the whole drivetrain in the frame. Without that mount, the rear wheel can move a great deal from side to side..

Mar 10, 2023 | 01:20 AM

#13

NorthWestern

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 11,545

Likes: 8,379

From: Inland NW

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old New Rider

Having worked in the powertrain industry for 32 years in engineering, we used Loctite 242 Bue adhesive almost exclusively.

It adds enough friction to screw threads to prevent vibratory loosening while not so much not to make disassembly difficult without heating.

I don't recall a single instance of fastener loosening complaints from customers or long term prototype tests. Most of our powertrains were high impulse diesel engines at high loads.

Actually 243 is the best for our bikes, as it is the one they recommend for use in aluminum, and all other metals. 243 is the most widely used threadlocker they make, according to them.

I agree, however, that blue Loctite is the key to a happy Harley

Before you lose your mind on me, I too am in the engine industry and here are the links for the 2 products:

https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/...ctite_242.html

https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/...ctite_243.html

Mar 10, 2023 | 08:50 AM

#14

Max Headflow

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,900

Likes: 8,007

From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthWestern

So 242 is for metric fasteners while 243 is for 'merican?

Mar 10, 2023 | 09:11 AM

#15

TUCCI

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 10,216

Likes: 224

From: Glendale AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbanchaos748

We all know Harleys rattle, they make noise, and some fasteners come lose over time.
When I hit bumps and potholes, there is a little more noise and clunkiness than there was in the past. Just curious if anyone had some tips for areas of the bike that should be inspected for potential loosening fasteners?
I do have a FSM and I'm fairly competent with my tools.
Recently replaced a head gasket on a Toyota 3vze and replaced the cam bearings on my 2006 HD RK.

Blue locktite anything that needs to stay in place or only requires occasional removal, which is pretty much everything…..