Harley and thread locker
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 488
Likes: 25
From: Orlando, FL
Harley and thread locker
So here is a question for the experts. Installing some bolts and the Harley instruction sheet states to use red thread locker however the bolts have what appears to be blue thread locker on them. Are the instruction sheets just not updated from a time when the bolts didn't come with thread locker on them?
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 572
Likes: 115
From: Chicagoland
Interesting question. I put on a set of highway pegs (ordered from surdyke) a few months ago and had the opposite occurrence. I had a HELL of a time unbolting the clamp side of the arm to put on the crash bar. Finally got it open and discovered the redish hue traveling down the length of the bolt. The instructions referenced BLUE threadlocker.
I was like, why on earth would you put RED threadlocker on a bolt and then SCREW IT IN before putting it in the box for who knows how long!?
I was like, why on earth would you put RED threadlocker on a bolt and then SCREW IT IN before putting it in the box for who knows how long!?
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 488
Likes: 25
From: Orlando, FL
That's what I was thinking. Seems like Harley/Harley's vendor updated the parts but not the documentation.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
The color of the factory applied threadlocker on new bolts does not correlate to the conventional red/blue aftermarket threadlocker. Additionally, red and/or blue descriptors of aftermarket threadlockers are very generic as there are several different formulas targeted at specific applications, e.g. "242" & "243" are both blue but different formulas. For red there are several different formulas.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 12
From: Collierville, TN
If it's a part your not planning on swapping out, then use the red Loctite. The red really isn't that hard to remove if you can heat the area up around the thread prior to trying to remove it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
The color of the factory applied threadlocker on new bolts does not correlate to the conventional red/blue aftermarket threadlocker. Additionally, red and/or blue descriptors of aftermarket threadlockers are very generic as there are several different formulas targeted at specific applications, e.g. "242" & "243" are both blue but different formulas. For red there are several different formulas.
If it's a comp bolt, personally I'd clean off any factory stuff and use red "271" locktite. Also clean off any residual locker from the other components.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I rarely use red locktite, definitely not on most things I plan to remove at some time or another. I have found the blue, with proper torque values, is usually fine with me. If uncertain, I go with the blue.
A few years ago, I mentioned to a friend at His shop "I just remembered I recently used the last of my locktite, I need to think to get some more soon". Next thing you know, He walks over to a cabinet, pulls down a gallon jug of each, and pours me about a pint of each into a couple of sealed containers. I keep mine on a shelf by a container of toothpicks that I use to apply a dot of it as needed. I can't ever imagine ever running out of the stuff!
I asked Him "How much does a gallon of that stuff cost? He said "You don't really want to know..."
A few years ago, I mentioned to a friend at His shop "I just remembered I recently used the last of my locktite, I need to think to get some more soon". Next thing you know, He walks over to a cabinet, pulls down a gallon jug of each, and pours me about a pint of each into a couple of sealed containers. I keep mine on a shelf by a container of toothpicks that I use to apply a dot of it as needed. I can't ever imagine ever running out of the stuff!
I asked Him "How much does a gallon of that stuff cost? He said "You don't really want to know..."
