Should I Loctite mirrors?

[p.dath]

I recently got myself a 2004 CBR1000RR. When I went to go down to Hampton Downs for the first time on it at the AMCC ART day I was trying to remove the mirrors, and discovered that I couldn't. The heads of the bolts holding the mirrors on weren't strong enough to sustain the forced needed to unscrew them without damaging the bolt head (it started to rip the head out, one of the L'N key style heads).

Subsequently I left the bolts sitting in some CRC for a couple of days, and I finally managed to get one of the bolts out, and found it was Locktite'd into place (well something that looks like Loctite anyway). I'm guessing the Loctite was physically stronger than the bolt head.

Anyway after several tips I have managed to get the rest of the bolts out (used an oversize torx head, hammered it into each bolt head, and then used a wrench to force the bolts out).

I've got new bolts now (high tensile this time, with a slightly bigger/stronger head). I haven't seen Loctite used to hold in mirror bolts before, but having said that I don't have that much experience. I do have some medium strength Loctite I could use. I was thinking of perhaps not using Loctite, go for a bit of a ride, and see if they work loose or not.


Is it common to use Loctite to hold in mirror bolts?

[Maha]

Onto it Mechanic at King Country Honda beleives so ...yes.
There is a Bandit downstairs with Loctite in use.
The left mirror was an arse of a thing..only one way to stop it swinging around, even after a new nut was fitted.

[gammaguy]

wait until you try and remove honda factory bar end weights.....

[Gremlin]

depends how they are mounted, but normally the double nut ones just need proper tightening. Never used loctite...

[Madness]

Sounds like someone used a stud lock on yer mirrors instead of a nut lock. I'd use it if I had it there, nothing to be afraid of if you use the right product for the application.

WTF is an L'N style head? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_key (we all know how you love wiki's)

[caspernz]

Haha, isn't it a right mongrel when someone uses a strong Loctite in a place where a medium hold version will do?

Yeah I use a medium hold Loctite in selected places on my bike, such as disc rotors onto the wheel hub.

[nodrog:Me]

you do realise there are different grades of Loctite?

use the serviceable grade (or whatever its called), not the permanent stick shit to a fucken space shuttle grade.

[darkwolf]

you do realise there are different grades of Loctite?

use the serviceable grade (or whatever its called), not the permanent stick shit to a fucken space shuttle grade.

There's never enough said about overkill though :P

[Gremlin]

you do realise there are different grades of Loctite?

use the serviceable grade (or whatever its called), not the permanent stick shit to a fucken space shuttle grade.

I dunno... owning the odd twin, the goddamn things shake off random bolts all over the place (even an indicator bolt fer chrissakes), so I'm tempted to use the "outlast the bike" grade of loctite, when I do need it...

[Madness]

[caspernz]

I dunno... owning the odd twin, the goddamn things shake off random bolts all over the place (even an indicator bolt fer chrissakes), so I'm tempted to use the "outlast the bike" grade of loctite, when I do need it...

So you'll be using 263 whereas I'll stick with 243 Loctite...I wonder if Harleys use that high strength version as well?

[FJRider]

WTF is an L'N style head? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_key (we all know how you love wiki's)

I think he means Allen head ...

Must be text speak ....

[Haggis2]

you do realise there are different grades of Loctite?

use the serviceable grade (or whatever its called), not the permanent stick shit to a fucken space shuttle grade.

I hate it when the mirrors fall off my space shuttle...

[p.dath]

wait until you try and remove honda factory bar end weights.....

Been there done that. Involved a lot of brute force.

Sounds like someone used a stud lock on yer mirrors instead of a nut lock. I'd use it if I had it there, nothing to be afraid of if you use the right product for the application.

WTF is an L'N style head? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_key (we all know how you love wiki's)

I think he means Allen head ...

Must be text speak ....

I was thinking that there is probably a proper name for a bolt with an Allen style hex head. Wasn't sure what it was. But yes, that's the one.

[The Lone Rider]

Yeap, do it. Just depends on the grade of threadlocker you use though.

Most metal mating I use a low grade just to keep it snug and from vibrating out (ie... seat bolts, mirrors, fender brackets)

Things like sprockets, brake discs, and bolts that hold calipers on I use a heavier but not the heaviest.