So, I have had this problem with my motorcycle that has bugged me for weeks. My windshield and dashboard have been flopping around, especially when I go over bumps. Im thinkin this ain't right, and I don't remember this happening before. So I stopped by both Las Vegas Kawasaki dealership's service departments and showed it to the techs. They all said nothing wrong, just your oversized windshield is a bit too top heavy. Ok, that's a bunch of bull... and exactly why I do all my own service work. I know this isn't right and they just don't have a clue.
The past week I have taken the windshield off several times and removed the front panel to have a look inside to see what might be loose. All seemed ok. All the bolts are tight. What could it be? The parts department at the the Kawasaki dealership was not even showing any replaceable bushings that might have worn out. The dash instrumentation, electric windshield motor, cables, arms and brace are all one unit. It is stabilized on the front side by bolting to the fairing. How it is stabilized on the back side I don't have a clue because you can't see it.
So last night Im getting really frustrated and Im looking down below the handle bars where the back side should bolt to something. However, I can't see anything wrong or loose. I go down to Ride Now, where I bought my Concours, to look at a new one. Maybe there is something I missed. Well there was. The back side of this rather heavy unit does, in fact, bolt directly to the frame. I can easily see the two bolts on a new one. Have the bolts on my bike loosened and vibrated off? Check with parts dept and of course they don't have the replacement bolts, but I did get the description 8mm X 53mm standard thread pitch.
Ok, stop at Ace Hardware and pick up two stainless bolts, nuts, washers and lock washers and head home. Sure enough, now it was so obvious that the bolts, 8mm is pretty stout, had worked loose and fallen off and were missing from where it mounts to the frame just forward and below the triple tree. The microfish did not show lock washers, just cap nuts, but I thought them appropriate, along with some locktite. A little tricky to get the bolts in, had to wiggle the dash unit so the holes would line up, and very difficult to get a wrench down in there to tighten things up, but it was eventually doable.
Took it out for a test ride and perfectomundo. All the slop was gone, the windshield was tight even going over bumps, just like when brand new.
Just goes to show you that the service mechanics aren't all that bright. With a little know how and skill you can figure it out and fix most things yourself. I don't know what would have happened eventually, but Im guessing it would not be good, as something would have cracked or broken. My 2011 just passed 50K so I will blame it on time and vibration.
