06 ST: Ignition Screws

[jdscott74]

Maybe this will help someone else down the line...

The two screws holding the ignition in place worked loose last month on my 2006 Sprint ST, especially the left one. One night I came home and had trouble getting the key to turn to the steering lock position. Normally it works smoothly, but I wiggled it, got it locked, and thought nothing of it.

The next morning I rode to work and had the same trouble with the key, only much worse this time. I really had to fiddle with the key to get it locked, and that's when I noticed the loose screws and ignition.

Unfortunately I was leaving on a 200 mile trip that afternoon, and I had no tools, so in my best attempt to patch the problem I put some duct tape on the screws and assumed the tape would hold them if they worked completely loose.

By the end of the day, the screws still held, but barely. They worked loose quick once they started! I reached my destination, borrowed some tools, and set to work tightening the screws.

Wouldn't you know it? The head of the screws are NOT normal. At least, not to me. I couldn't figure out what I could use to tighten them and finally settled on a 4mm six point socket. It still wasn't the right tool, but I could tighten the screws enough to ride a few hundred miles before having to tighten them again.

Tonight I finally replaced the screws with something more standard, and something I could fully tighten. It was a bit of a pain finding a match and finding a store with the right screws in stock, but a local Home Depot saved the day.

Here's what I got, in case any of you end up with the same loose screws. You never know, since I've also had to replace the infamous screw holding the lower part of the right fairing, which so many other people have lost as well.

Anyway, you can replace the wacky screws with:

cap screw
socket
6mm x 20mm
plain steel

They tighten up nicely with a little thread lock and a 5mm Allen wrench. I had trouble getting my metric wrenches into the small space and was able to do most of the tightening with a 3/16" Allen wrench, so that will do in a pinch.

Sorry for the long winded story, but I wanted to share my frustration and pass this info along in case anyone else has
the same loose screws and wants to replace them.

[alancb]

Great tip and thanks for passing it along...

[basco]

Hey jdscott74, got any pictures of what you are talking about? My key sometimes does not want to lock the wheel and I have to do the same to get to lock up.

[jdscott74]

I don't have pictures, but I can try to take some. It's a tough place to photograph, under the bars.

In my case I could reach my hand under the ignition and wiggle the whole thing. The ignition is kind of shaped like a barrel with a black plastic housing. There are two small screws facing up into the bars, one on each side of the ignition. Each screw has a small oval washer with it, so don't lose that when removing the screws for replacement.

Someone brought up the point that the original screws are made with strange heads because they are designed to be tamper proof. Keeps people from removing and messing with your ignition and stealing the bike. So you may want to consider having the screws tightened by a dealer.

I'm happy with my replacement screws, since I know they aren't going anywhere now, and they are easy to tighten with an Allen wrench.

[DragonDan]

Sounds like a need for Lock-tite!
On my '99, the bolts have no head. I suppose they are meant to break off when they reach the proper torque. I had to change my ignition lock a few months ago, the shop just put in standard hex heads, probablyl like yours. I don't see this as a problem, and mine are plenty tight.

[bugcj]

[quote=jdscott74;400294]Maybe this will help someone else down the line...


Wouldn't you know it? The head of the screws are NOT normal. At least, not to me. I couldn't figure out what I could use to tighten them and finally settled on a 4mm six point socket. It still wasn't the right tool, but I could tighten the screws enough to ride a few hundred miles before having to tighten them again.


Hello

I'm new to the site

i have an 06 sprint which did the same thing after 4000km

i replaced the bolts and all is good
the reason you couldn't tighten the old bolts is they are a snap of head type

so when they install the ignition once the bolts are at the correct torque they snap of so no one can remove them

[oldndumb]

www.triumphrat.net/sprint-forum/54714-my-ignition-switch-steering-fell-out.html?highlight=%22ignition+switch%22

[DrTriumph]

well I hate to dig up old stuff, but My 05 sprint now has this problem, I tried to tighten the screws but to no avail.. I think they have almost worked themselves right out of the threads now, I will be replacing them as soon as I can.

Might want to have your dealer check these.

[triumphite]

I think they have a self stripping design. I repaced mine with two allen bolts from Lowe's