Lost a screw

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Mar 6, 2026 | 04:35 AM

Deep Sea MDV

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2025

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From: Virginia

Lost a screw

I noticed I had a rattle/vibration yesterday near my windshield while riding to work. Once I got there, I saw that my throttle side screw was gone. Ok no big deal. Went and got another one. Put lock tight on it and snugged it up. The screw cost me a whole dollar. Now, after thinking a bit, I should check the entire bike. I would hate for something more important to rattle loose. Good thing I have this weekend off. Anyone found random screws or bolts missing? If so, where? I am literally going to check everything. (I probably should have been anyway)

Another thing I pondered was doing the transmission and the primary oil changes. It's getting to be that time. Just did the engine oil and filter.

2020 Ultra Limited 9200 miles.

Mar 6, 2026 | 06:18 AM

Red

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Clearwater, Fl

Never use Loctite around plastic.....

Mar 6, 2026 | 06:21 AM

CoolBreeze3646

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2006

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From: Pennsylvania

Don't be surprised that when you go to remove that screw (depending on the type of Loctite/strength) that the threaded insert in the fairing breaks loose and spins within the fairing.

Mar 6, 2026 | 08:07 AM

Hoyt 1911A1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2017

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From: Southern Virginia

Quote:

Never use Loctite around plastic.....

Quote:

Don't be surprised that when you go to remove that screw (depending on the type of Loctite/strength) that the threaded insert in the fairing breaks loose and spins within the fairing.

Been adding a SMALL drop of blue loctite to my windshield screws for years on two different Electra Glides (as mentioned being careful not to let any get on the plastic). I should mention that I'm an audio guy. I've had the outer fairings off of my bikes more in a year than most folks would in ten. Never had one of those brass inserts come out. Also never had one of those windshield screws come loose either. It don't take much loctite, just a little. Also when reinserting clean the old loctite off of the screws before reapplying to keep from over torquing. It also keeps water out of the threads and keeps them from rusting.

I suspect the reason those brass inserts come out is over tightening. YMMV.

Mar 6, 2026 | 10:07 AM

Deep Sea MDV

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Joined: Nov 2025

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From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolBreeze3646

Don't be surprised that when you go to remove that screw (depending on the type of Loctite/strength) that the threaded insert in the fairing breaks loose and spins within the fairing.

I used blue loctite. Hopefully no issue there. Hoping for no issue if and when I decide to swap out the windshield

I will go over everything this weekend and check it all tight. Hoping it was a one off type of thing.

Mar 6, 2026 | 04:11 PM

Cosmic Razorback

Club Member

Joined: Aug 2008

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From: North Carolina

Yeah I would really be afraid of using LT on those with inserts in plastic.

The Rushmores are better than the older models as for the inserts. But I would not take a chance.

Torque them to the proper Torque and check them at least once annually and you'll never have an issue.

Mar 8, 2026 | 07:43 PM

TimP 117

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Joined: Apr 2020

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From: Illinois

Best to do the original torque at the upper range of what the service manual recommends and when you do your yearly check set your torque to the lower range. This way you will know if it loosened up and you won't over torque or break the LT bond on your fasteners.