Stainless Steel Fairing Bolts

wilbur · Post by **wilbur** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:28 pm

I was thinking of removing all the black fairing bolts and replacing them with stainless steel bolts. I think there are two different sizes, 6mm and 8mm. Anyone know any source or kits for these?

Thanks,

Tim

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:44 pm

I also am replacing the fairing fixing.
So, I bought the rubber nuts from the local dealer, but any bolt.
The rubber harden, so you've to replace them to avoid the fairing cracks.
You can use the stock bolts, there not harden!
If you want steel bolts, you can brush the black ones....
Ciao

Desmo_Demon · Post by **Desmo_Demon** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:06 pm

I've had terrific results with getting stainless bolts from my local ACE Hardware store. They typically have a variety of sizes and head shapes available.

persempre907 wrote:The rubber harden, so you've to replace them to avoid the fairing cracks.

The previous owner of my Paso had all sorts of issues with the rubber inserts, so he converted the whole bike over to the Dzus-type, threaded mounting plates (use the bolts, not the 1/4-turn fasteners), like the ones that were stock on my 2002 748. I'm sure I could easily convert those to the 1/4-turn Dzus fittings, but I'm not too sure of the availablity of long enough Dzus fittings for the thick fairings.

I forget the size of the actual bolt (8mm by 25mm or 30 mm long, I think), but the previous owner put what appears to be stainless ones on my Paso. I'm wanting to locate some black, zinc-oxide coated bolts, because I think the black bolts would look better with the red than the stainless. I think some black, 1/4-turn Dzus fasteners would really look great, but they'd be a bit expensive.

Post by **jcslocum** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:08 pm

I don't think the 1/4 turn fittings would have the holding power to keep the bodywork in the right positions.

My .002

Desmo_Demon · Post by **Desmo_Demon** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:20 pm

jcslocum wrote:I don't think the 1/4 turn fittings would have the holding power to keep the bodywork in the right positions.

My .002

Never thought about that, and I'd tend to agree with you. Those fairings are quite heavy!

delagem · Post by **delagem** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:42 am

I don't think it's the weight, the wind load at speed would be the far bigger factor. I converted the OEM panels on my '92 900ss to Dzus, very heavy and thick panels, and they were fine. Until I forgot to attach them together at the bottom while at Indianapolis Raceway Park, and the left side came off at about 120mph! It doesn't come off pretty, and wow did it travel! Left the racetrack altogether, came down outside in a parking lot..... And yes, I fixed and re-used it!

If you're concerned about thickness, Lockhart Phillips USA sells their own version of Dzus in different lengths, for OEM or aftermarket race bodywork. (sorry, shameless sponsor plug here!)

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:44 pm

Desmo_Demon wrote:The previous owner of my Paso had all sorts of issues with the rubber inserts

Which kind of issue had he?

Ciao

zap · Post by **zap** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:25 pm

hi,

the rubber nuts (with copper inlay) are on ebay for sale.
they cost about 20 usd for 10 pcs.

a whie ago i was also searching for new bolts (coloured adonised aluminium) and found a link somewhere on this site.

this:

http://www.tastynuts.com/site/frames/fr ... online.htm

scroll down to "alloy spares" and find what youre looking for!!

very interesting site!!

good luck

ab.

wilbur · Post by **wilbur** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:39 pm

this:

http://www.tastynuts.com/site/frames/fr ... online.htm

scroll down to "alloy spares" and find what youre looking for!!

very interesting site!!

Very interesting site indeed!

Thanks!

Desmo_Demon · Post by **Desmo_Demon** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:45 pm

persempre907 wrote:Which kind of issue had he?

He said he had problems with the bolts seizing in the rubber inserts (anti-seize will cure this), the rubber spinning in the fairing, the metal insert ripping out of the rubber, and difficulties getting the bolts started when the rubber piece was distorted and the metal insert was off-center......pretty much the typical problems that people have with these fasteners.

persempre907 · Post by **persempre907** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:13 am

Routine.....
Ciao

Gwenadu · Post by **Gwenadu** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:57 pm

Desmo_Demon wrote:
persempre907 wrote:Which kind of issue had he?
He said he had problems with the bolts seizing in the rubber inserts (anti-seize will cure this), the rubber spinning in the fairing, the metal insert ripping out of the rubber, and difficulties getting the bolts started when the rubber piece was distorted and the metal insert was off-center......pretty much the typical problems that people have with these fasteners.

.
There is a very simple way to replace the walnuts (much simpler to do than to explain in my bad english!).I use flexible polyurethane cement.
1- Use latex gloves, the cement is very sticky on the hands and difficult to clean.
2- Clean the place of the walnut with white spirit .
3- one or two cm3 of cement on 2 or 3 cm diam. Drown a nut in this pile.
4- A little spot of cement on the front face of this first element of the fairing .
5- Grease the second element and the screw.
6- Reassemble the pieces . But tighten the screw very sligtly to keep at least 3 or 4 mm of cement under the nut.
7- Let it dry 1 or 2 days.
The assembly is very strong and more flexible than my old walnuts.

Alain.