Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: harryzgnilek on September 23, 2011, 07:08:11 AM

Title: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: harryzgnilek on September 23, 2011, 07:08:11 AM
Hi all
I noticed that there are many bolts and screws that are a little loose. I keep having to re tighten them once in a while. Mainly the screws that keep the fairings on
Does anyone use loctitie or other means to secure the screws and bolts?

thanks
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: gPink on September 23, 2011, 07:12:41 AM
Did a search for "loose bolts". Days worth of reading.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: stevewfl on September 23, 2011, 07:15:59 AM
Although I haven't found any on my C14 yet, this is typical for the Kawasaki bikes I've owned more-so than any other brand.

And my ZX14 was the WORST, I ended up getting rid of that bike.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: koval68 on September 23, 2011, 07:54:37 AM
Hi all
I noticed that there are many bolts and screws that are a little loose. I keep having to re tighten them once in a while. Mainly the screws that keep the fairings on
Does anyone use loctitie or other means to secure the screws and bolts?

thanks
Do Not use Loctite on fairing bolts !!! Bad idea !!!
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: h2smokin on September 23, 2011, 04:44:33 PM
I'm always checking the bolts no matter what for loosness. My fairing ones are always a little loose as well. Just routine maintenance I figure
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: m919 on September 24, 2011, 04:30:10 AM
I agree, do not use loctite on fairing screws.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 24, 2011, 06:04:00 AM
This is actually a neat thread to explore and probably something we need to expand upon for the new owner's amongst us....so:

Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: DaveO on September 24, 2011, 07:10:43 AM

I noticed that there are many bolts and screws that are a little loose.

thanks
yes kawasaki is saving some $$ on threadlocker. Its why I wont own another one.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 24, 2011, 07:36:49 AM
yes kawasaki is saving some $$ on threadlocker. Its why I wont own another one.

So you won't own  some threadlocker or you won't own another Kawasaki?  If it's a Kawasaki then you could trade it in on an FJR.  It seems that's what the disappointed Kawi owners buy.  If it's threadlocker, there's multiple brands available.  Take your pick.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: koval68 on September 24, 2011, 07:59:32 AM
   :rotflmao:    :popcorn:
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: Khrome on September 24, 2011, 10:36:03 AM
LoL  ;)

I rode an 07 FJR for a couple years only because the 14 wasn't out until I made deal on the FJR and they wanted sticker for the brand new first on the floor 14...

I have always been Kawasaki at heart, I have owned many different bikes, but the Kawi's just do it for me.  If I tried to write a comparison of the two there would be a lot of simularities,  but the bottom line is the 14 is "the one" for me.

As far as loose bolts  ::) Of the 8 Kawasaki's I have owned(that number does not include dirt toys) I have never had any issues other than recalls... But then again I don't expect any bike to be perfect or without character  8)
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: B.D.F. on September 25, 2011, 01:02:49 PM
There ya' go Jim, fixed it up for ya'.

Brian

So you won't own  some threadlocker or you won't own another Kawasaki?  If it's a Kawasaki then you could trade it in on an FJR.  It seems that's what the disappointed Kawi owners buy onwer bought.  If it's threadlocker, there's multiple brands available.  Take your pick.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 25, 2011, 01:16:33 PM
Right...
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: alexx45 on September 26, 2011, 11:11:12 AM
Trying to figure out if I'm very lucky, oblivious, or if my dealer mechanic just takes really good care of me & my C14. I've only had an issue with one loose screw and unfortunately it fell out. It was one of the small black screws located under the windshield. I did pay for a maintenance plan for the first 3 years & my dealer mechanic has taken great care of me in that respect. I guess it helps that he owns an 08 C14.  :D I have installed all my on Farkels. I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones.... Life is good.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: chi-gpz1100 on September 26, 2011, 02:02:41 PM
I lost one of the screws that went into the little puck the saddle bag centers onto.  Should have checked it periodically, but forgot.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: Flathead on September 26, 2011, 08:20:33 PM
I agree, do not use loctite on fairing screws.

Just out of curiosity, why not? There are compounds, such as Loctite 242 that is designed for use on fasteners that require removal, with hand tools, for normal servicing??
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: lather on September 26, 2011, 08:28:06 PM
I lost a header nut, the front fender bolts, the upper fairing middle stay bolts and the front engine mount bolts. When the fender comes loose it gets pulled around by the front tire and stretches the brake lines. This has adverse affect on braking performance. When my upper fairing came loose it didn't fall off but flopped around pretty bad, pulled the headlight connector loose. Strangely, there were no noticeble effects from loosing the front engine mount bolts.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: lather on September 26, 2011, 08:36:54 PM
Just out of curiosity, why not? There are compounds, such as Loctite 242 that is designed for use on fasteners that require removal, with hand tools, for normal servicing??
Because many of the fairing screws go into threaded rubber inserts. If the screw is too tight the insert will spin in the fairing instead of the screw unscrewing and you have a problem.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: koval68 on September 27, 2011, 09:00:34 AM
Just out of curiosity, why not? There are compounds, such as Loctite 242 that is designed for use on fasteners that require removal, with hand tools, for normal servicing??
Because many of the fairing screws go into threaded rubber inserts. If the screw is too tight the insert will spin in the fairing instead of the screw unscrewing and you have a problem.

Also, Loctite will cause the plastic body parts to deteriorate and crack.
Title: Re: loose bolts and screws.
Post by: B.D.F. on September 27, 2011, 11:15:13 AM
First of all because you do not need it- the fairing screws attach to a rubber plug with a brass insert inside. When the fastener is tightened, the rubber plug squeezes against the fairing and maintains force against the screw so it cannot loosen. Also those screws are very well isolated from any vibration.

A few folks have used a thread locking agent on fairing screws with disastrous results; I think it was Haroldo who had a bunch of fairing screws that he just could not remove because the screw was locked to the brass insert and that was spinning inside the rubber plug.

I have seen a lot more damage done by using thread locking agents than cause by the lack of them. If fasteners are correctly tightened they are usually not needed. Occasionally there is a sheet metal nut or some other type of really light duty thread retaining device that just will not allow a fastener to be tightened enough but these are not usually found on motorcycles.

Brian


Just out of curiosity, why not? There are compounds, such as Loctite 242 that is designed for use on fasteners that require removal, with hand tools, for normal servicing??