Author Topic: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?  (Read 24249 times)

Offline Zman

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What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« on: May 14, 2011, 11:43:57 AM »
I've read some go as far as taking the radiator out and others got there with 1/4 extensions and swivels? It's raining, again, so I think it's time......

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2011, 11:49:01 AM »
I generally have the front wheel and fender off and then take the side fairings off.  Also loosen the rad at the top.  That works for me but others can get in there without doing all that. 
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Offline Pokey

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2011, 02:05:55 PM »
What Jim said...........and if you install some fuji-lock nuts, you more than likely are done worrying about them.
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Offline notahobby66

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2011, 02:10:06 PM »
I recently did mine. Take off the lower fairing and have a few extensions and a swivel head for the rachet. Be carefull when tightening the header bolts not to slip off the bolts and damage the radiator. Most of mine were loose. One more thing, be patient, at first I did not think I would be able to get to all the bolts tightened without further removing of things but it can be done. Taking off the body work is the worst part of the job.

Offline Pynikal

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2011, 02:40:53 PM »
so are these commonly loose from the factory??

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2011, 02:48:47 PM »
Don't know if they are loose from the factory but they get loose rather quickly once the bike is ridden.  After a few tightenings they tend to stay in place.  I don't think we've had anyone check them right after the bike was bought of the show room floor.
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Offline Pynikal

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2011, 02:51:24 PM »
well i got 1800 on it i may check them this week, weather depending.

valkmc

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2011, 06:59:01 AM »
well i got 1800 on it i may check them this week, weather depending.

I guess I better do mine, I got 3400 on the bike and I leave for a 11,000 mile trip (Florida to Alaska) in a month. Does the header start to leak if they are loose or is there any sign they are coming loose?

Offline Conrad

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2011, 07:03:54 AM »
I've done mine twice and each time they needed it. The fist time I did it without taking anything off, what a pain! The last time I took the lower fairing off. It was WAY easier but still a bit of a pain getting to the middle nuts.
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Offline gonzosc1

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2011, 07:32:35 AM »
just for the asking, will the loose header nuts produce noise like a car . that tapping sound?  got 4400 miles on bike now and still very quiet.

Offline gflint

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #10 on: May 15, 2011, 05:14:11 PM »
With the right tools it is not a big deal, just remove the lower faring.  Also it helps to have small hands.  I check nime at abot 1500 miles.  They were all loose.
Keep it simple - if no one has shot at me or tried to blow me up it is a good day.

Offline Z71

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #11 on: May 15, 2011, 08:47:52 PM »
You can consider installing thin jam nuts on top of the existing nuts and tighten them against one another.  This should keep the nuts form coming loose.   That's what I did. You can get 6 metric jam nuts at Ace hardware for less than two dollars.

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #12 on: May 15, 2011, 08:57:20 PM »
just for the asking, will the loose header nuts produce noise like a car . that tapping sound?  got 4400 miles on bike now and still very quiet.

Mine made some noise that I noticed, so I pulled the lower fairings and loosened the radiator to tighten everything back up.
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline stevewfl

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #13 on: May 15, 2011, 10:13:56 PM »
> 32,000 miles, and other than checking the header bolts i could reach with my fingers due to fearmongers on this forum having me paranoid they come loose, i have never accessed mine.  Nor have I had a reason too.

fearmongers once upon a time also had me thinking KiPass is capable of failure, driveshaft would need repair,  and my Kawi luggage would mysteriously take flight


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Offline Pokey

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #14 on: May 16, 2011, 06:44:58 AM »
Steve doesn't even like Kawasaki........has had no issues.......and is a Honda Snob!!!!!! :stirpot:
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #15 on: May 16, 2011, 07:09:17 AM »
Steve doesn't even like Kawasaki........has had no issues.......and is a Honda Snob!!!!!! :stirpot:



but I don't DISlike Kawi
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Offline koval68

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #16 on: May 16, 2011, 10:48:58 AM »
Steve doesn't even like Kawasaki........has had no issues.......and is a Honda Snob!!!!!! :stirpot:
Soon to be a BMW Snob.... ::)
BTW, I've just checked header nuts on my bike and surprise,surprise......all were loose.
Pokey, could you please post a part number/link for the Fuji-lock nuts.
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Offline Zman

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #17 on: May 16, 2011, 03:38:00 PM »
+1 on the Fuji nuts..... Once is enough!!!

Offline incabird

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Offline gildaguz

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Re: What's your prefered method to get to the header bolts?
« Reply #19 on: May 16, 2011, 09:24:51 PM »
Did mine last weekend,8k, nuts were very loose , did it the only way to do it right, removing the radiator, after that and torque the engine to frame bolts there is a big improvement on the hands numbness
« Last Edit: May 17, 2011, 12:52:25 PM by gildaguz »
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