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General Topics/Tech TipsDiscussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.
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.
Just remember that all frame and suspension components (anything that should not, cannot come loose) should be Grade 8 fasteners. I use Grade 5 on all other components. All small switch mounts, small fasteners I use stainless steel fasteners. I would use blue lock-tite on most fasteners. Any small fasteners I would consider using a green lock-tite which is not as strong as the blue.
I buy most all of my fasteners from a local industrial fastener company. McMaster-Carr is another source for fasteners. And I usually buy a few extra just to make sure I have fasteners in case.....
For small fasteners you want to use Loctite Purple Threadlocker 222. It’s considered low strength. Loctite Green Threadlocker 294 is considered medium to high strength.
Thanks Big D..... I forgot about that one.... I always try to use the least amount on fasteners as needed.... the little screws don't need much, but it's nice not to have to worry about some coming back out. The only thing I don't use is red loctite!!!
You’re welcome @Spartanden I have some red Loctite, but it’s been a long time since I’ve used it. Most stuff gets blue Loctite. It’s definitely nice to have the peace of mind that most stuff won’t come loose.
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.
The ones I consider most common to work loose are the shift linkage and the front motor mount.. I check em every oil change along with the battery bolts. You want to check the lower fork pinch bolts and shock bolts.. On a RK with some mileage the rear turn signal bracket can come loose from the fender. Check the rear saddlebag struts for cracks. Rear head pipe can crack if the exhaust system has not been changed.. If you have spoke wheels check them. They get a bad name because no one checks em..
Rule of thumb, if it moves, attaches something that moves or is rubber mounted or insulated check it regular, at least a good visual and hand shake if you don't take a wrench to it. You hear a new rattle or squeak chase it down. Ignoring little things will turn into bigger pains in the butt to deal with.
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.
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Critical Fasteners
