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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Check your top header bolts!!!
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Message started by joeh100 on 07/12/08 at 17:31:15

Title: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by joeh100 on 07/12/08 at 17:31:15

I got home after a ride in the rain, and noticed I was missing my top header bolt. >:(

Checked my brothers bike and his was loose. We purchased our bikes at the same time. Both brand new 06's purchased in November 07.

The bottom header bolts on both bikes were tight.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff64/joeh100/012.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff64/joeh100/005-1.jpg

Where can I get a replacement bolt that looks exactly the same? Bikebandit has that part but I'm not sure it will be the same bolt-head.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by T Mack 1 on 07/12/08 at 17:33:59

If the bolt is from the Parts microfische then it should eb the same.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by joeh100 on 07/12/08 at 17:39:41

Quote:

If the bolt is from the Parts microfische then it should be the same.

Maybe, but the picture from the microfische looks like a standard bolt-head.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/12/08 at 18:23:57

The parts fische only shows what the part is and where it goes, it is not indicative of what the part actually looks like.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by Jay on 07/12/08 at 23:00:33

joeh100,
Thanks for the heads up. I'll check mine in the morning when I get home from work.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by bruno on 07/13/08 at 11:01:40

My top bolt also was loose , but didn't look loose till I was washing the bike and it spun . no problem except the heat from the exhaust blued my pipe . I have some blue job on the way to try and remove this . hope it works . Does anyone have some useful tips ?

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by Brad_THMP3R on 07/13/08 at 12:09:39

I had to replace mine too, it fell out on the road somewhere. I just took out the other one and went to the big box hardware store. I got the threads to match on a grade 8 bolt. It works just fine, and it was less than a buck! For the OEM you'll pay about 3 plus shipping.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by ChicagoRider on 07/13/08 at 12:26:28

Wow, thanks for the heads up Joeh, my top bold was loose too, and mine is a 2007 with 3000 miles.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by joeh100 on 07/13/08 at 14:34:36

Well, I guess it is a common problem, at least on the later model bikes.

I went to the hardware store for a temporary replacement. The original is an 8x35 but I used an 8x40 and it worked.

I did order the original though, because I want to maintain the resale value of the bike.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by Trippah on 07/13/08 at 19:25:52

It's a fine thought, resale value, but frankly if anyone buying a Savage can tell an oem header bolt from a hardware store, i'll be very surprised. However, do torque to spec, i think I cranked mine a bit too tight cauding the broken header I have now. Enjoy your riding.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by northshore_paul on 07/13/08 at 19:55:07

I can't emphasize too much what has been pointed out here about checking the header bolts. This weekend I went to remove my header in preparation for installing a new muffler and it was very loose...this after having tightened them both less than 200 miles ago after putting some antiseize on the threads.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by skatnbnc on 07/14/08 at 05:24:53

Out of all the bolts on my bike (2006) the first one to come loose was the header bolt. And I mean loose like about to fall off, and I had been checking visually before I ride which is daily.

So yeah, before the pipe heats up, put your hand on that bolt and give it a twist just to make sure!

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by Rogue_Cheddar on 07/14/08 at 10:12:07

I recently changed over my exhaust and ordered two new header bolts from BikeBandit. They are the same. No problems with them at all.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by vtail on 07/14/08 at 12:34:06

6D757F6A707C707D1E0 wrote:

Better Yet. Torque it to about 18 ft/lb (13.3-20.6). had to torque it and the front cyl head to cyl nut (also about 18 ft/lb) several times during the first 2000 miles. Rear cyl head to cyl nut and all 4 cyl head nuts (23 ft/lb) stayed tight after the initial retorque-ing. Exhaust heat in front causes this. I check those 3 nuts about every 1000 miles but they stayed put. now have 8000 miles with no issues. ;)

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by skrapiron on 07/14/08 at 13:52:25

Just checked both of mine. Still at 18 ft/lbs. No worries here.....

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by Starzuki on 07/14/08 at 14:09:17

Mine ended up being the bottom that was loose. Saw it after the ride the other day. Its a good heads up for everyone thought.

Is anyone using loc tite or anti-seize when they're putting these back on?

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by Rockin_John on 07/14/08 at 14:56:55

Just so happens that I caught a loose top header bolt on my chopped 99 right after finding the loose and nearly stripped front drive pulley on the other 99.

It becomes more plain to me over time that the Savage/S40 needs a very frequent fastener tightening schedule; much like we used to have to do with the old British bikes.

These are not ride 'em and forget about them bikes.

Not nearly as bad of maintenance as some vintage or replica bikes, but safety and finance demands that you keep up with the maintenance on these bikes or suffer the consequences.

Update: General advice as a long time mechanic: I think that I'd go with the anti-seize and frequent torque checking, and forgo the thread locker on the header bolts.

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by bhcarl on 07/14/08 at 17:26:43

checked mine, top bolt loose, 07 with 2000 miles

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by cornfuzed on 07/14/08 at 18:43:59

Yep! I can say that mine started getting loose at 500 miles... so now i bought a $10 torque wrench w/12mm socket and its in my saddle bag..along with a small flat blade screwdriver / 13 mm wrench / 10mm wrench / philips screwdriver / 12 mm wrench... humm wonder what else i should throw in there?

Title: Re: Check your top header bolts!!!
Post by Starzuki on 07/14/08 at 21:08:15

545D4358520601310 wrote:

Maybe a mini-fridge, cell phone holder, stereo and.....oh, sorry, thought we we talking about a harley dresser there for a second. I think you'll be set with the minimalist approach you've got there. That'll cover most of what might come loose.