Could have died today

[o2jmpr]

A tad dramatic maybe but...... I lost the bottom bolt out of my rear brake caliper bracket and the calipers rotated up off the disc at 55mph. Got stopped safely. Checked the top bolt then limped home to find the other one flew off!


I ran to the hardware store for new m8x20 bolts and the big bottle of Loctite!

I have a new question though... is it ok ( or wise) to use a split washer on the bolt side since there’s no nut on the back side? I’ve read on Google that split washers are supposed to go on the nut side for most applications but I’d like the extra safety if it’s ok.

[JerryHawk250]

Use Loctite. I've lost one while trail riding. Was lucky my wife had spotted it on the ground. This is one reason why you should always do a pre-ride inspection before every ride.

[Wild Dog]

I'm not saying that you did what i'm going to say.
But a lot of people seems to be overtorquing everything, overtorque can be even worst than undertorquing. When you overtorque a bolt, it start to stretch. That starts to weaken the bolt, the crappy the bolt is, the faster it will snap.
Once you get the new bolts, torque them to spec and use thread locker(something i guess you did the first time).
About the split washer, as long the bolt can cover all the threads. It's ok.

[o2jmpr]

Thanks for the replies. I previously loctited everything. I just put on new tires and a new chain and after doing so, honestly can’t say whether or not I used it again after reassembly on the rear.

[Megadan]

Thread compound is the smartest thing you can do. If you ever remove the bolts, clean all of the old stuff off the threads of both the bolt and out of the caliper bracket before applying new stuff to them. The bolts themselves are only torqued to around 22-25ft-lbs.

[dpl096]

Dan's spot on regarding the threads. I've got a cheap harbor freight tap & die kit that I use for chasing threads to make damn sure they're clean. Thread lock just doesn't bond well with old thread lock..

[o2jmpr]

I brushed off the bolts but not in the bracket holes.

[roundhouse]

Dang that would scare the heck out of me. I did the loctite thing when I got the bike and started reading on here. no probs, fingers crossed.

[elkhunter338]

Don't forget Blue lock tight for stuff you want to get back apart. Blue holds just fine.

[Bruces]

You might want to look for some better quality bolts than the hardware store stuff .

[bogieboy]

Originally Posted by dpl096

Dan's spot on regarding the threads. I've got a cheap harbor freight tap & die kit that I use for chasing threads to make damn sure they're clean. Thread lock just doesn't bond well with old thread lock..

brake cleaner will disolve most threadlocks as an FYI

[o2jmpr]

Originally Posted by Bruces

You might want to look for some better quality bolts than the hardware store stuff .

I agree with you. I did purchase grade 10. There might be better, but it's surely a million times better than what the bike came with.

Thanks for the post.

[o2jmpr]

Could have died today (part deux).

Lost my new chain at 55mph today. Pretty sure the Hawk wants me dead. I have a 17 front and 45 rear sprocket and went with a new MSR 128 link standard HD chain. I adjusted chain tension to about 9/16" freeplay with my weight on the bike and made sure the master link faced with the open end to the rear of chain travel direction.

I'm lucky (I guess) that chain flew cleanly off without wrapping up a tire or destroying the engine. Sprockets look ok too. A nice fella found my chain and brought it to me while I was waiting for the tow truck. It was clear it broke at the master link. When I got home I removed the front sprocket cover to check the sprocket and found the master link stuck in the well, all intact. The moveable inner plate was pressed down the pins, flat against the pin plate and the clip is gone.

Not sure whether to go get another 132 link chain and press my luck further or trade.

[Megadan]

Why trade the whole bike for a problem with a part that isn't even related to it?

[o2jmpr]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Why trade the whole bike for a problem with a part that isn't even related to it?

That was frustration speaking. You're right buddy, I should have waited a while before posting but doing so right away made me feel better about the situation.