Triumphrat

randm · 08-24-2007

Hi guys

Has anyone had any experience with the Back Fender Bolts? Thats the 4 bolts that hold the back fender to the frame.

I just got the Triumph Grab rail. First part of installation is to remove the 4 nuts that hold the back fender to the frame. 2 nuts came out with some force, the other 2 stayed put and are now scarred and badly too! What might I try to get these little fellas out?

Boy they were done tight and I suspect there might be a little rust at play too.

Hope someone can help.

Cheers

Geoff · 08-24-2007

I suspect a little loc-tite, not rust. messing up the fasteners is not recommended...a little heat, judiciously applied, to the fastener, will loosen up the loc tite. Make sure you are using the correct size wrench, and they should come off easy
G

larryshep · 08-24-2007

I of course don't know about yours, but my rear fender is attached with 4 bolts the go thru welded on nuts..not surprised you had trouble removing them.

randm · 08-24-2007

Yep, welded on nuts. They are 4 screws going into 4 welded nuts. The screws have a funny head. At the risk of sounding like an idiot, I used an Allen Key to get 2 of them off. Scarred the bejeepers out of the other 2.

Any ideas on how to get these out?

I think I will replace with normal botls next time.

larryshep · 08-24-2007

They are torx head bolts..takes a dedicated tool (torx wrench/bit) available at all good hardware stores.

randm · 08-24-2007

me idiot. Thanks larryshep.

KingBear · 08-24-2007

Yes they are Torx, but yes they are also very, very tight. I think it's because of the way the rubber bushing compresses and tightens around the bolt. Use the necessary muscle and the appropriate tool to remove them (order replacements for the ones you buggered up. Not expensive, no big deal) and reinstall them with... you guessed it... a torque wrench. Tighten everything to factory specs, no more (the bolts will break, ask me how I know!), and no less.

grayghost · 08-24-2007

I recently installed the grab rail and those four little bolts each had a dab of loctite on them put on at the factory. They were a little tight, but I had no problem removing them.

I would recommend cleaning the threads on the bolts (use a little brass wire brush...you can pick them up at the hardware or even dollar store) and them put two drops of Loctite 242 (Blue - Medium thread locker) on the threads when you reassemble the fender.

randm · 08-24-2007

Why is th loctite necessary?

Geoff · 08-24-2007

bikes vibrate a lot. fasteners come loose by them selves, with possibly disastrous results. loc-tite guards against this. it is your friend.
a little heat (and the correct wrench) and they come right off.
you put them back the same way, with a dab of loc tite, and the correct torque
or face the possibility of stuffing it up some more

G