Pissed off mood turns to thankfulness

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
Mark W
Supporting Member III
Supporting Member III
Posts: 218
Joined: 08:46 pm Feb 27 2005
Country:

Pissed off mood turns to thankfulness

Post by Mark W »

I just got around to taking off the rear wheel to get a new tire and all when something weird happened. First I was pissed that I'll have to take some time to repair the bike and all (usually don't mind but time is short this week), and now I realize how lucky I was.

I washed the bike off good and pushed it up the driveway and into the garage to put it on the bike stand. Lift the side of the bike up and it sounds funny, like a bolt is loose somewhere or some metal bangin on metal. I put the bike down and lift again only to notice that my swing arm isn't right, it is kind-of just hangin there. I check the dogbones and swingarm bolts and all is fine. I then move up to the top of the shock only to find that the top mount bolt and nut are gone. This had to be the only bolt that I have not removed and tightened within the last 1/2 year and it is gone. I can only imagine what would have happened had my tire not flatted and I had quit riding for the day. Wide open trails that we were hitting speeds of 50 on with some good bumps.

Anyway, does this require any special bolt or can I go to Home Depot and pick something up? Heading out to the bike shop in a few hours for the tire so should I be looking for any special bolt as well?

Sometimes you ahve to believe things happen for a reason.
User avatar
Colorado Mike
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1921
Joined: 11:42 am Feb 25 2005
Country:
Location: Colorado

Post by Colorado Mike »

I wouldn't put a HD chinamese butter bolt in there.
Mike

Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid.
'04 KDX220
IdahoCharley
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1005
Joined: 06:57 pm Mar 19 2005
Country:

Post by IdahoCharley »

Not a whole lot of shear stress on that bolt - it would not bother me to put a correct size and grade bolt from Home Depot in there if it were my bike.

Look at the head on the lower shock bolt to determine the grade that Kawaski used and buy that grade or better bolt.
KTM 380EXC Mine
KDX 200 Mark's
TTR 125 L Wife's
KDX 200 Austin's
EC 300 Tyson's
WR430 Husky - mine
Mark W
Supporting Member III
Supporting Member III
Posts: 218
Joined: 08:46 pm Feb 27 2005
Country:

Even dumber luck

Post by Mark W »

I went out to remove the bottom shock bolt to see if it would match up to the lower bolt size wise so I knew what to but and guess what, sitting on the top of the right hand swiong arm was the upper shock bolt just laying there.

I must have just gottn back to the truck and the this bolt had to be loose. Then when I went down to the clean the bike this afternoon the bolt was still there cause I sat on the bike. Only when I went to lift the thing onto the stand did the bolt fall out onto the swing arm and then just sit there. I thought I heard loose bolts when I lifted the bike onto the stand but I couldn't find the bolt. Even re-traced my footsteps of this morning thinking it must have fallen out when I brought the bike out to wash.

So, what would have happened had that bolt fallen out going 50+ with bumps? Would I be here typing?
IdahoCharley
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1005
Joined: 06:57 pm Mar 19 2005
Country:

Post by IdahoCharley »

It seems like it could have been ugly!! :butthead:
KTM 380EXC Mine
KDX 200 Mark's
TTR 125 L Wife's
KDX 200 Austin's
EC 300 Tyson's
WR430 Husky - mine
User avatar
canyncarvr
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 6943
Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
Country: US
Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson

Post by canyncarvr »

If I recall correctly, the shock res would be banging on the pipe close to the S/A junction. It would likely be making a good bit of noise.

Any bolt will do (next time).

If you didn't get that far..the two bolts (top/bottom shock mount) are not the same.

Probably the difficulty would be in getting a bolt that was NOT threaded too far up....so the shoulder of the bolt would fit in the bushing, NOT any threads.

Good find!

Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

bike profile: !clicky!
User avatar
cfspawn
Member
Posts: 202
Joined: 05:22 pm Oct 18 2005
Country:
Location: Hobart Australia
Contact:

Post by cfspawn »

I almost had the same problem (nut was finger tight) and striaght away bought some heavy duty nylon nuts (locked thread) and havent had a hassle since. good peace of mind for high stress points like that
User avatar
canyncarvr
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 6943
Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
Country: US
Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson

Post by canyncarvr »

The torque spec for that fastener is somewhere around 60ft/lbs. Due to its location, it is difficult to get that done.

'Difficult' in this case meaning I've never done it. Not enough room for much of any wrench 'up there'.

That doesn't stop me from putting a cheater on my 'lil 3/8" and giving it a good yank (read: apply exact torque value).

I've never used a thread locking agent on that fastener. If torqued to spec (read: give it a good yank) you won't have any problems with it.

Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

bike profile: !clicky!
Post Reply