Stuck bolt?

**G4L4XY** · 1st October 2012, 14:20

Time for an oil change, thought sweet piss easy ill do it myself.
Start taking the bolts out of the power fairing, come to bolt 5/6 and the bitch is stuck. So I give it some CRC and a min to soak in, still stuck..turns out the last bolt is the same, any tips for undoing such a pain in the arse?

**skippa1** · 1st October 2012, 14:34

Originally Posted by AE4ME

Time for an oil change, thought sweet piss easy ill do it myself.
Start taking the bolts out of the power fairing, come to bolt 5/6 and the bitch is stuck. So I give it some CRC and a min to soak in, still stuck..turns out the last bolt is the same, any tips for undoing such a pain in the arse?

Use a good spanner/socket. Not an open ender or shifter, preferably a 6 point not 12 point as there is more contact area and less chance of rounding the bolt. Make sure it is engaged properly and straight. The soak is good....try turning a bit the other way first......tighten just a tiny bit....just a smidge. It can crack the rust bond and let the CRC in. Paitence is a must as a heavy hand will lead to the next post which will be 'how do I get a broken bolt/rounded bolt out?". Just work it slowly, dont force it, backwards and forwards until it moves a bit more. More CRC....more backwards and forwards etc etc
A little heat is a good thing too but I'm picking you will melt the fairing which may lead to another question about insurance once you have torched your own bike.....

**G4L4XY** · 1st October 2012, 14:42

Thanks Skippa, tried tightening just a smidge as well but she wont turn that way either

Will have to look at getting some proper tools, im just finding what I can in this garage where im staying. Definately was a 6 point socket, found a drill with a 12 point one but the connection wasn't 100% and feared it being stripped so didn't continue down that path. I think just a better tool with a better grip may help otherwise I may as well get a garage to do it and change the sparkies while they're at it

**skippa1** · 1st October 2012, 14:47

Originally Posted by AE4ME

Thanks Skippa, tried tightening just a smidge as well but she wont turn that way either

Will have to look at getting some proper tools, im just finding what I can in this garage where im staying. Definately was a 6 point socket, found a drill with a 12 point one but the connection wasn't 100% and feared it being stripped so didn't continue down that path. I think just a better tool with a better grip may help otherwise I may as well get a garage to do it and change the sparkies while they're at it

you could give it a sharp crack on the noggin too. The shock can get a result but make sure the hammer face is parallel to the bolt head or you bugger the bolt

or send it to the shop

**Hitcher** · 1st October 2012, 14:58

Try a rattle gun. If that doesn't work, use an axe.

**bogan** · 1st October 2012, 15:07

If its a flange head bolt (I assume it will be), see if you can borrow an impact driver set and put a nice fitting socket on it.

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Try a rattle gun. If that doesn't work, use an axe.

Or a Kenworth, I hear they get fairings off quick

**p.dath** · 1st October 2012, 15:08

Originally Posted by AE4ME

Time for an oil change, thought sweet piss easy ill do it myself.
Start taking the bolts out of the power fairing, come to bolt 5/6 and the bitch is stuck. So I give it some CRC and a min to soak in, still stuck..turns out the last bolt is the same, any tips for undoing such a pain in the arse?

Assuming the head is still in good condition, try giving it a tap with a hammer to try and vibrate it loose while trying to undo it.

You could also try waiting over night to give the CRC more time to work.

The last time I had one of these stuck in a fairing it was because someone had used loctite (grrr). And the head was not able to take the force required to remove it, and being a fairing, I could not heat it. So I hammered a torx bit into it (forcibly) and removed it with a wrench. Came out nicely.

Another time I had a bolt corroded into a mirror fitting. The torx bit trick didn't do it (corrosion was stronger than the bolt head ...). That time I drilled the head off the bolt, removed the mirror, and then used vice grips on the left over stub to unscrew it.

**The Lone Rider** · 1st October 2012, 15:51

1. buy an impact driver with a set of impact sockets (or a compressor & rattle gun)
2. Butane torch on the head, mid heat then give it a good push/turn with a spanner - do so at your own risk as the amount of heating will be your call.

**p.dath** · 2nd October 2012, 07:05

Are the fairings plastic or fiberglass?

Be careful with heat if the fairings are plastic.

**G4L4XY** · 2nd October 2012, 11:37

I'd say they're plastic. Don't actually have anything to heat it with but sounds like it might not be the best option considering it will probably melt the fairing.
Wonder if the boys down at cycletreads would quickly undo the two tight ones for me, they should have a good laugh at that

**G4L4XY** · 3rd October 2012, 11:12

OMG OMG OMG I got it!!!!! I used a ratchet tool thingy, wow they're magical tools, it was like spreading butter with a knife? Anyway, moving on I'm now stuck on the filter, I need a filter tool undoer tool thingy! Which means she gets a nice rest from the grueling 8km commute