Triumphrat

onnel · 03-05-2008

So I washed my thruxton which made it oh so happy, but in doing so I apparently didn't refasten the two seat bolts (which hold the seat on to the frame) tightly enough and they both vibrated out...leaving my seat loose enough that when I was pushing the bike around to park the whole seat slid off the back...doh!

Questions:

1. There is now a minor nick (white) and a few scratches on my black seat cowling. Is there anything I can do about this or should i just live with it? I'm afraid anything I may try might just make the clear coat around it look worse.

2. I'm going to have to buy some new seat cowling bolts. What can I do to make sure these ones don't slip out? I'll buy the hand adjustable (instead of the allen bolt) ones if possible, but in either case, how do I make sure they are tight enough? Hand tight wasn't tight enough.

I'm bummed out by the scratch on the paint as my bike has been pristine, but something was bound to happen eventually, so I suppose I'll survive...unless someone has a 2007 black cowling they want to donate or sell cheap. :-)

Thanks for all the help as always!

Aaron

Ready to Ride · 03-05-2008

It won't make it pristine again, but a blck sharpie can cover white scratches on a black surface so it looks better.

Old Scratcher · 03-05-2008

The bolts always vibrate loose. It's a design fault IMO.
Locktite keeps 'em in place, but it's hell on the paintwork. So just a dab'll do ya.
I just make sure that they're as tight as I can get them with an allen key, & check them every 500klms or so.

PAAS · 03-05-2008

The bolts don't always vibrate loose. I've had my seat off numerous times and not lost a (Jenks) bolt in 12000 miles of riding. What does happen though is that the seat snugs up some more after you've ridden the bike giving the appearance that the bolts have loosened off. Actually the seat has moved. Re-tighten the bolts and they will not go loose again (until you remove the seat the next time). Just add checking the bolts to your "pre-flight checks" along with the tyre pressures, etc...

TB-T100 · 03-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by onnel

2. I'm going to have to buy some new seat cowling bolts. What can I do to make sure these ones don't slip out? I'll buy the hand adjustable (instead of the allen bolt) ones if possible, but in either case, how do I make sure they are tight enough? Hand tight wasn't tight enough.

Aaron,

I frequently take the seat off (to put panniers on or off), so Loctite wouldn't be the best option. My solution is to use a lock-washer, and another wider washer (so the lockwasher doesn't grind down the plastic). Works like a charm.

You may also like to read a previous thread about it: http://www.triumphrat.net/triumph-tw...fell-off.html?

Greetings,
Thor

mikeinva · 03-05-2008

this may sound crazy but its a old mechanic trick for hideing minor marks on paint if they arent to deep.Get some regular go-joe hand cleaner (not the stuff with grit in it )use a soft rag and rub it .I know it will hide belt buckle marks on car finders (dont ask me how i know lol)

Syynful · 03-05-2008

I have put it in another post somewhere but its fairly simple. I have a Bonnie black and accidentally made some slight scratches in the paint (more than could be buffed out with that gritty 3m buffing paste which is the equivalent of the gojo) on my rear fender. So I remembered from my childhood days Testor's model paint. Go to the local Hobby store get the Testors black that matches (glossy btw) and a fine brush so you can paint the scratch only, and apply some patience.

first Paint it... it wont match entirely but let it dry for a few days.. buff with the 3m paste paint again. With the final waxing it will look better. I went so far as to buy some of the testors clear coat as well and put it on but I suppose thats not requred. After it has had several days to cure... wax buff wax some more... and buff. With patience and time it eventually looks great.

Cheers™

onnel · 03-05-2008

Thanks for the great ideas as always. I'll go with the lockwasher and wide washer, I think (and maybe a few drops of locktite for good measure). also, the testor paint sounds like just the thing as well as the 3M buffing paste for the scrapes right around it.

Great ideas all!

Out of curiousity, can someone explain why a lockwasher or o-ring works to keep a bolt from shaking loose?

Thanks as always,

Aaron

CAPTDON · 03-05-2008

Like a vise? Its spring loaded sorta. My bud has a Thrux seat & cowl & never lost any screws. Will ask him WHY? Garage mate lost seat bolts. I check mine weekly for tightness. Still got the stock allen bolts. They suck as does the whole seat hookup!! That little thing they call an allen wrench to remove the seat is useless!! I got a longer one in the bar pack/ road kit. Found a cheap battery driver that will accept an allen that will take the seat off in 2 min! Small light, & will fit easy in the bar bag w/ all the necessities such as fix a flat, universal 6 way hand screwdriver, & the 2 flattening coolies!! I go over all the nuts & bolts every so often- never know whAT loosens up till you give em a spin! A small dab of loctite will do the trick, but it is meant for bolts that arent removed that much? The new seats SUCK!! I yearn for the old unlock & open seats of yester year & the storage thAT used to exist then as well!! O well dream on- no more. Maybe someone will come up w/ a conversion that will do what the pAST used to? Till then- we are well where we are??

Sheepdog · 03-06-2008

Some of you who drove old VWs may remember the warped flat washers that they used as lock washers. The advantage of these is that they are not split and don't mar the seat mounts. My Guzzi uses them on the windshield mounts, also. Anyhow, thats what I use for securing my seat bolts...and only hand-tightening is necessary.