Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

dumb question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 09:10 AM
  #11  
upstate tim's Avatar
upstate tim
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 6
From: send money!
Default

I made the mistake of putting anti-seize on sparkplugs.. especially motorcycle sparkplugs. I have the scar on my leg to remind me.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 09:24 AM
  #12  
Ronp42's Avatar
Ronp42
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Default

Loc-tite and Anti-seize are two of a Motorcycle Mechanics best friends. Things you don't want to come loose, but still want to be able to remove, use Loc-Tite. The stuff you remove often or don't want corrosion from dissimular metals use Anti-Seize. You don't need much of either one. I guarantee you the poster above that burned his leg with hot dripping Anti-seize used too much. I use anti-seize on my new spark plugs when I install them. I also use it on my Derby cover screws. Never had a problem
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 09:27 AM
  #13  
wraplock's Avatar
wraplock
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by upstate tim
I made the mistake of putting anti-seize on sparkplugs.. especially motorcycle sparkplugs. I have the scar on my leg to remind me.

Care to elaborate? I build hotrods and classic cars and do all of my own motor work and always use anti-seize on my plugs. It is recommended for just that. Especially with motors with aluminum heads. I use it anytime I am installing a steel fastener into an aluminum part to ward off destruction of the aluminum threads when trying to remove a steel bolt later on that may have bonded together through galvanic action caused by the contact of the two dissimilar metals. I also use it on my spark plugs installed into my Small block Chevy motors steel heads along with a dab of die-electric grease in the spark plug boots for ease of removal.. Never had a plug come loose because of it..never.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 09:33 AM
  #14  
CT-Bagger's Avatar
CT-Bagger
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 836
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Hill, CT.
Default

Anti seize lubricant is generally used where there are two different types of metal such as steel bolts into aluminum. It was originally designed to prevent seizure and galling.
Also to prevent rust seizure.
It is however not very nice to get on your hands or clothes.

Loctite performs in various strengths and acts the opposite so screws and bolts will not loosen easily or vibrate out.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 09:57 AM
  #15  
upstate tim's Avatar
upstate tim
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 6
From: send money!
Default

Originally Posted by wraplock
Care to elaborate? I build hotrods and classic cars and do all of my own motor work and always use anti-seize on my plugs. It is recommended for just that. Especially with motors with aluminum heads. I use it anytime I am installing a steel fastener into an aluminum part to ward off destruction of the aluminum threads when trying to remove a steel bolt later on that may have bonded together through galvanic action caused by the contact of the two dissimilar metals. I also use it on my spark plugs installed into my Small block Chevy motors steel heads along with a dab of die-electric grease in the spark plug boots for ease of removal.. Never had a plug come loose because of it..never.

Seemed like a good application at the time.
Used on 2 of my vehicles, (truck, van) and more than once found some of the plugs loose. (normal street vehicles)
Used it on an old Sporty I had and the plug spit out hitting my leg.(No burn from the anit-sieze, no molten lava) Never used more than a "dab" on any of them.
I won't use on sparkplugs again...
Still use it on other ****.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 10:00 AM
  #16  
jberg's Avatar
jberg
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
Default

The explanations above for using anti-sieze are right on. Typically these connections are where different metals are in contact and galvanic action would cause corrosion and siezing of the parts. Spark plugs, O2 sensors and exhaust bolts are good examples and heat in these areas only makes it worse.
Loctite, in its many strengths, seals and bonds threaded connections to avoid loosening due to vibration and stress. It exists in different strengths because it is intended to be removeable when necessary. Bond strength is chosen based on many factors including the amount of stress and the critical nature of the connection. Some high strength applications require a torch to remove while the lesser may require only a bit of extra force.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 10:02 AM
  #17  
harleycharlie1992's Avatar
harleycharlie1992
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
15 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 18,049
From: san diego
Default

Originally Posted by upstate tim
Seemed like a good application at the time.
Used on 2 of my vehicles, (truck, van) and more than once found some of the plugs loose. (normal street vehicles)
Used it on an old Sporty I had and the plug spit out hitting my leg.(No burn from the anit-sieze, no molten lava) Never used more than a "dab" on any of them.
I won't use on sparkplugs again...
Still use it on other ****.
as a mercedes/bmw tech I won't put plugs in without it, never had a plug come loose, and I've done tens of thousands of them, might want to tighten them a little more, highly recommended for plugs every single app.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 10:16 AM
  #18  
Ronp42's Avatar
Ronp42
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Default

Originally Posted by upstate tim
Seemed like a good application at the time.
Used on 2 of my vehicles, (truck, van) and more than once found some of the plugs loose. (normal street vehicles)
Used it on an old Sporty I had and the plug spit out hitting my leg.(No burn from the anit-sieze, no molten lava) Never used more than a "dab" on any of them.
I won't use on sparkplugs again...
Still use it on other ****.
Use a torque wrench next time. Makes a difference!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 10:47 AM
  #19  
sgdiesel's Avatar
sgdiesel
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
Default

In the UK there is a popular brand called Copaslip or MolySlip, probably available in the US as well, although I use this in the generic sense i.e. Anti-Seize is Copaslip to me.

Anyway, the point I do want to make is this - I NEVER use Copaslip anywhere near hydraulic systems, it is a complete no no. For this reason, I would never go near the brake system (ESPECIALLY ABS) with it. Apart from a seal compatibility issue there are copper particles in suspension that play havoc with the tight tolerance moving parts in hydraulic systems.

I know there are many that advocate Copaslip on the back of brake pads to stop them squealing - I think that does a lot more harm than good, although it may take some time for you to find out
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2010 | 10:48 AM
  #20  
upstate tim's Avatar
upstate tim
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 6
From: send money!
Default

I'll try that.
I won't say I'm too old to learn..

Guess a dumb question got my dumb answer.

Get out and ride!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:32 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE