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Message started by Byrd0264 on 06/05/11 at 18:59:39

Title: First bike repairs...yes already
Post by Byrd0264 on 06/05/11 at 18:59:39

Hey all!

Okay so I was checking out my bike a little closer today and it would appear the bolt that secures the back of the seat to the fender was tampered with and looks to be busted off.... :-/

Funny the lil things you miss when your vision is clouded by lust for riding..

Anywho, does anyone know if this is a normal occurence, big deal, about how hard or how expensive it would be to fix it?

I already ordered my windscreen and was looking to order saddlebags (which is how I discovered the broken seat bolt). Do I need to have mounting brackets for saddlebags or can you really just sling 'em under the seat and tie 'em down? Would this seat bolt mess with either method?

I also knew going in to the deal that the fork lock on this bike is missing. Repossession by the dealer that the previous owner bought it from.

I'm not too worried about replacing that atm, but is also something I will be looking to do in the future if it's not too hairy.

I read a recount somewhere of a guy having his fork lock replaced after it was jammed out in an attempted robbery and it seemed to give him a lot more trouble than leaving it alone would have been...

I have to learn all about this "rejetting" you all speak of, but one step at a time eh? :) :D

Thanks,
Byrd

Title: Re: First bike repairs...yes already
Post by Howitzer on 06/05/11 at 19:08:16

By busted off, do you mean the hex head to the bolt is off? That seems be a rather tricky problem. You do need to take the seat off to do most anything on your motorcycle. For example, taking off seat -> taking off gas tank -> carb work, or air filter, or engine work.

Title: Re: First bike repairs...yes already
Post by verslagen1 on 06/05/11 at 19:08:51

If you can get the bolt out, then not hard. But to live with out it doesn't seem to be a major issue either. it's held by 2 bolts on either side.

it's recommended to have the brackets to keep the bags out of the spokes.

and the front fork lock is not very secure anyways. not too long ago someone replaced theirs.

Title: Re: First bike repairs...yes already
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/05/11 at 19:28:49

Its an allen head drive, either 4 or 4.5 mm IIRC. If the heads gone, drizzle some penetrating oil, just a drop, not enoug tp go running off th fender. Then, Hope you can gt a slot cut in he top of thescrew, then you can get a jewelers screwdriver in it

Title: Re: First bike repairs...yes already
Post by arteacher on 06/06/11 at 08:09:49

332C2A2D30370636063E2C206B590 wrote:

After the WD40 and before cutting the slot, give it a few firm taps with a hammer and a piece of wood. This might loosen the threads enough to take it out with vise grips.

Title: Re: First bike repairs...yes already
Post by Byrd0264 on 06/06/11 at 18:45:45

It's actually really already loose in the slot, the head looks totally mangled.

The real problem is I think there is a nut on the other side and I looked under the fender and there is a plate that covers that spot and a bunch of wires running to the tail/signal lights....

further suggestions or am I missing something?

Shop said they could get it out easy but would cost me 75 bucks...

Title: Re: First bike repairs...yes already
Post by WD on 06/07/11 at 02:38:28

HD and Kawasaki use the same system and are notorious for the nut stripping.

Block the bike up and pull the rear wheel for tool clearance. Push the wiring bundle to the side and have someone turn the bolt head, you may see the nut free spinning. If it is, clamp it with a long hemostat and then unscrew the bolt. From the top, drill through the plate, add new bolt from the bottom, place a self locking nut on it. Then install seat and cap with an acorn nut, knurled lamp nut, etc.

Only raises the seat back an 1/8th of an inch. You'll want more space then that if you install saddlebags anyway.

Busted fork lock? Take an angle grinder to the fitting. Grind it flush or just slightly recessed. Drop the fork assembly out of the way, with the bearings. Back the hole with a piece of heavy copper or brass and rosette weld that sucker. Dress it, bondo it, repaint it. Fork lock is useless to start with. Non-ferrous metal won't stick to weld, will fall right out of the way.