How to shim the engine

[Uglydog56]

I had a bad buzz in the handlebars and the engine was loud like broken something loud.  I found the upper right crashbar bolt was loose and hanging out.  Disassembly revealed it was broken.  The rivco bars use sae bolts btw, how odd.  I replaced it with a grade 8 and when I tightened it up, it seemed to draw in the frame a bit at the very end.  I think I need to shim the motor, which is probably why the original bolt broke in the first place.  Is there an order or sequence or procedure to this?  I couldn't find anything in the search.  And Elvin I checked the FAQ!

[Centex]

Shims go between the left side front motor mount and the frame.  Basic sequence:

1. Loosen left front motor mount bolt
2. Tighten right front motor mount bolt
3. Shim to fill the gap (if any) between left front motor mount and frame
4. Tighten left front motor mount bolt

(edit) BTW the OEM bolt is M10x75 on the right and M10x100 on the left if memory serves (I know the M10 diameter is correct - could be off on the length); it would seem that diameter is critical for this application so not sure that the nearest SAE that'll clear the hole is a particulartly good idea.

[RFH87_Connie]

Not sure where I got this from but would think it works for all years ...

[Two Skies]

For the record, I had a gap on the right side when I loosened the upper front motor mounts, not the left side, so I  placed my shims on the right side.  But then my bike just likes to be different...

[Uglydog56]

Oooh, I remember seeing that piece when I put on the crash bars.  Crap.  I can just use a washer of appropriate width, can't I? 

[Outback_Jon]

Oooh, I remember seeing that piece when I put on the crash bars.  Crap.  I can just use a washer of appropriate width, can't I?

That's what I did.  I was breaking about one motor mount bolt a year, always at inopportune times, until I shimmed it with a washer.  Went to the hardware store and looked through the drawer of appropriately sized washers and found there were about three variations in thickness that my eye could discern.  Grabbed a few of each so I'd have options.

Another important thing, use the proper torque on these bolts.  I was doing it by "tight enough" feel. When I finally got a torque wrench I was surprised at how much less effort I used.  I was probably stressing the bolts when I did it by feel.

[ManWorkinghere]

For the record, I had a gap on the right side when I loosened the upper front motor mounts, not the left side, so I  placed my shims on the right side.  But then my bike just likes to be different...

You are not constantly riding in a right hand turn now, are you?