Locktite and Antiseize

[Groover]

Assembling my G5... If everything is being tightened to specs, is Locktite necessary? I've been using Antiseize on bolts that go in Aluminum (front fork related), and some frame threads (like the upper shock bolts and brake and shifter pivot bolts) - I don't think my bike had any locktite anywhere when I took it apart (from what I could tell).

Is Loctite necessary for our Guzzis or mainly a piece of mind?

Thanks for the assistance.

[Lannis]

Assembling my G5... If everything is being tightened to specs, is Locktite necessary? I've been using Antiseize on bolts that go in Aluminum (front fork related), and some frame threads (like the upper shock bolts and brake and shifter pivot bolts) - I don't think my bike had any locktite anywhere when I took it apart (from what I could tell).

Is Loctite necessary for our Guzzis or mainly a piece of mind?

Thanks for the assistance.

Some folks say that a properly torqued fastener doesn't need any help staying in place.   My experience says different.

If a nut on my bike doesn't have a split lockwasher, schnoor washer, star washer, nylock nut, locking tab, or castellated nut on it, I use blue Loctite on it.    Cheap insurance.

Guzzi very often used bare, unlubed fine-threaded steel bolts threaded into an aluminum casting.   I've learned to take those out and treat them with Anti-seize, especially "pinch" bolts, because if they're in there long enough, they'll bring the threads with them when/if they finally do come one, so you're on the right track there ....

Lannis

[boatdetective]

It's sort of second nature with me. I would comment that potential expiosure to heat is one thing that might make me change my mind. If the area gets fairly hot- there's no need for the loctite- it just will not work.  Frame and suspension stuff- sure. Itsy bitsy stuff like carbs- probably not.  Valve cover fasteners- no.  I'll add another vote of confidence for Schnoor washers (but keep in mind that they can tend to flatten so do not "reuse" that well).

[Guzzistajohn]

Just make sure you get metric locktite for a guzzi

[M0T0Geezer]

Be careful with anti-sieze.
Tightening to torque specs while using anti-sieze (acts as a lubricant) may exceed thread strength,  stripping them.
Spark plug mfrs warn of this.

'Geezer

[Groover]

Ok, thanks for the replies. I might just redo some of the bolts then with thread lock. I've been using locknuts and lock washers where they were and where they seem to be in the exploded views in the parts manual. I also just learned that where I used Antiseize I may have over-tightened stuff by using the standard torque settings (because of the lube effect), so I'll probably back those out too. Getting close to being done, so I hate redoing all these connecting points that were "done", but oh well. It's gonna rain all week anyway, so someday I'll get this bike back on the road...

Here is some info on the torque specs for those interested.
http://raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc14.html

Thanks again.


Edit: Moto Geezer just beat me to the punch with the Anti-Seize spec adjustment.

[Dimples]

A little off the topic, but when you get to the electrical contacts a conductive grease like NO-OX-ID will also be good insurance down the road. You can buy small quantities on ebay.

http://www.sanchem.com/electrical-contact-lubricant.html

[cloudbase]

Here's a chart giving dry and equivalent lubricated torque values for different size fasteners:

http://www.cncexpo.com/MetricBoltTorque.aspx

[Groover]

I ended up redoing most of the more critical bolts last night; locktite-ing and re-torqueing to specs or at 25% less torque where there was Anti-Seize. Speaking of, where I used anti-seize I cleaned a strip of thread and also put a little locktite where the final contact would be (say the width of a nut). Not sure if it will actually harden properly, but I figured a little grip is better than none.. Anyway, If anyone still watching this thread... should I do the brake disc bolts too? They seem to have some sort of hard-locking type nuts where the outer part of the nut is tapered a little. I'm pretty sure those are factory, and I think they are locking nuts (without the nylon part) - correct?

Yea or Nay or the locktite on those? If not, I'll move on to the next tasks... (which I still have many  )

Thanks again for the help!

[Robert]

Locktite and Antiseize ==

This kind of sounds like the drug ads on TV where the side effects may include "Constipation and Diarrhea"

As I age, this kind of info gets more important.

[rodekyll]

Locktite and Antiseize ==

[snip]

== a slickery, stippery mess that won't clean itself.

(did I get it right?)

[Groover]

Locktite and Antiseize ==

This kind of sounds like the drug ads on TV where the side effects may include "Constipation and Diarrhea"

Ha, good one 

Follow-up - I did a test on a nut/bolt. I slopped on quite a bit of anti-seize (more than normal for this test), then put on some Loctite (messy, yes). The result was that once cured, the Loctite still provided some friction when I took them back apart. It was a more mild that the full-on Loctite treatment, but it still gives some hold and that's good enough for me since I wasn't even planning on using Loctite in those spots - I'd say it ends up being about 30-40% strength on the Loctite side.

Unlike the test bolt (where I really went sloppy with the Antiseize), where I did this combo on the bike I had a little bit of antizeize on the tip of the bolt, then Loctite on a clear spot of the bolt, say about where the last ~1/4"-1/2" would end up being threaded.

Not suggesting this is a great solution, but works for me and is giving me a little piece of mind as in better than none. I mainly did this on bolts that go into aluminum - main engine mounting bolts, frame bolts, brake discs, etc. just Loctite.

I went through pretty much every single bolt last night for the millionth time, but I think I can relax now 

[Mike Tashjian]

As another form of cheap insurance that I like to use.  A dot of paint on fasteners.  Makes it easy to see if they have moved.   Mike

[Groover]

As another form of cheap insurance that I like to use.  A dot of paint on fasteners.  Makes it easy to see if they have moved.   Mike

I might do that on some bolts - quick visual inspection.

[cloudbase]

"Borrow" some nail polish from the old lady. 

[Lannis]

Locktite and Antiseize ==

This kind of sounds like the drug ads on TV where the side effects may include "Constipation and Diarrhea"

As I age, this kind of info gets more important.

Here's a REALLY important piece of related information.

Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time .....