GUEST? Registration opens up many more resources which are not available to guests. Registration is free, we never sell or give others access to your information.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- October 22, 2017, 15:07:23 PM 
Well if you had WWW's and a chain drive you would have to check those and clean them every so often and that would be a prime time to check the exhaust bolts at the same time........I replaced my allen key ones with nice acorn nuts and I carry a small 1/4" ratchet set in my travel trunk, and it covers that issue.......on a long trip I check them about every 4 days or so, never have had to tighten them yet.
Posted by Tfrank59
- October 22, 2017, 11:05:48 AMwhat I did with mine is to take a piece of shrink wrap and slip it on the stud, which when it heats and shrinks will keep a nut from coming off. If you need to get the nut off you can simply wrench it off. BTW even high-strength locktite will melt under temps like those at your exhaust flanges. Shrink wrap won't keep a nut from loosening but at least it won't fall off the bike. I go around periodically checking nuts and bolts--it's recommended not just for exhaust stuff.
Posted by kw-retrorider
- October 22, 2017, 05:25:30 AMNot used to having issues on road with my 800, so thought I'd share what happened during a routine ride yesterday....
Running along fine, when the sound of the engine started to change and I began hearing more engine exhaust sound from the front of the bike instead of just behind me. Didn't think much of it as the change was gradual....until the first deceleration for a traffic light, when the exhaust popped audibly. Was just a few miles from my destination, so continued.
When I stopped I found both exhaust flange nuts gone off the front downpipe at the engine....and one still sitting on the engine. Let the bike cool down while I had lunch. I have the factory tool kit on the bike, but of course it does not include the large allen wrench for those nuts...which are also round on the outside and not hex, because of the tight fit. Used the baby pliers in the tool kit to put the one nut on the front stud and got home.
These nuts, although special seem to be easy enough to find. Don't know what size they are.
Although I have British machinery in my background, I have not been as religious going around the bike periodically to tighten bolts and nuts. These have been on since 2014 when I put a roadhouse exhaust on, and it's been over 20K miles since then. So, my bad on maintenance.
Question for the group....What's the magic juice of choice on making these up....one of the many locktites?...something else? Any other words of wisdom....except routinely check tightness and carry the allen wrench you need?