loose bolts and screws.

[harryzgnilek]

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

[gPink]

Did a search for "loose bolts". Days worth of reading.

[stevewfl]

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.

[koval68]

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 !!!

[h2smokin]

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

[m919]

I agree, do not use loctite on fairing screws.

[VirginiaJim]

This is actually a neat thread to explore and probably something we need to expand upon for the new owner's amongst us....so:

• Exhaust header nuts
• Steering stem bolt (the one that sits dead center with a black plastic plug in it)
• Front Fairing attachment to the front of the frame
• Front Fender attachment screws
• Side mirror attachment nuts and bolts
• Saddle bag bottom centering pucks, screws get loose

[DaveO]

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.

[VirginiaJim]

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.

[koval68]

      

[Khrome]

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 

[B.D.F.]

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.

[VirginiaJim]

Right...

[alexx45]

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.  I have installed all my on Farkels. I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones.... Life is good.

[chi-gpz1100]

I lost one of the screws that went into the little puck the saddle bag centers onto.  Should have checked it periodically, but forgot.

[Flathead]

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??

[lather]

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.

[lather]

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.

[koval68]

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.

[B.D.F.]

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??