Top Motorcycle Bolt Issues & How to Fix Them
Your motorcycle bolts are invaluable in your bike’s structure, functionality and performance. Motorcycle riding at any level would be impossible without them and their various uses. However, bolts have their issues, as with any other motorcycle element.
Your bolts can be too tight, loose, vulnerable to corrosion, become too worn, and encounter many other potential issues. At Racebolt, we have over two decades of experience supplying high-quality fasteners and bolts for various motorcycle makes and models.
Trust our experience and expertise to outline the most common motorcycle bolt issues and how to fix them in this thorough guide. Read on to learn how to make the most of your vehicle’s bolts and improve your bike’s performance.
Table of contents
- How do you loosen a motorcycle bolt?
- How to clean motorcycle engine bolts
- How to safety wire your motorcycle bolts
- Stock up on motorcycle bolts at Racebolt
How do you loosen a motorcycle bolt?
Over-tightening motorcycle bolts is one of the most common issues bikers face that often becomes apparent when the bolts need to be removed or replaced. While it may seem that applying bolts as tightly as possible is the best way to keep things secure, it can often have the opposite effect.
If you have over-tightened your bolts, you run the risk of snapping the screw head off, which hugely diminishes the fastener’s abilities and function. Depending on how tightly they’re secured, you may find removing them difficult using your regular tools. Do not attempt to force the bolts out if your tools can’t get the job done, as this can cause further damage.
Consider some of the following methods below to loosen and remove your stuck bolts and fasteners:
- Lubricate – Apply a lubricant or penetrating oil to the fastener and wait for around 20 minutes. Repeat the process until the bolt begins to loosen.
- Hammer time – A more direct and firm approach involves giving the bolt a direct but considerate strike with a hammer that can release the fastener from captivity.
- Apply heat – Using a small torch to heat the bolt can break the chemical bonds holding the bolt in place. If you don’t have a torch, you can apply lubricant, wait and use a hair dryer to heat the area before removing the fastener with a wrench.
How to clean motorcycle engine bolts
Bolts that have travelled many miles with your motorcycle or have been in place for a long period can begin to rust. The material and quality of your bolts will determine how quickly they begin to corrode or rust. Still, it’s important to check their condition regularly.
Leaving your bolts to rust can cause several issues for your bike, including weakening your bolt’s structural integrity, spread of corrosion and poor aesthetic consequences. The possibility of seized threads or fastener failure is increased with rusty bolts. So, you need to know how to clean them to maintain their strength and durability.
Below, we’ve outlined three methods to get your bolts back to their best.
Vinegar soak
Our methods for removing rust from your bolts are cheap and involve household items. But none are simpler than a vinegar soak. You’ll need white vinegar and a bowl or container to house your bolts.
Steps:
- Place your bolts into a container and cover them with white vinegar.
- Leave the bolts to soak in the vinegar overnight.
- Remove the bolts and scrub any lingering rust if necessary.
- Rinse bolts with clear water, dry them with a clean towel and check the finish.
Wire brushing
Using a wire brush to remove rust from your motorcycle bolts is a great option when you don’t wish to remove them. However, you can use this method on bolts you’ve already removed. If you’re using a wire brush to clean removed bolts, use a vice or another device to secure your bolts in place while you clean them.
Steps:
- Using a stiff wire brush, scrub the rust from the bolt head. Specifically, target areas where the bolt would connect with its entryway, including any washers.
- Spray the bolt with a rust remover spray or a lubricant such as WD40 and leave for 15 minutes.
- Repeat the first two steps if the rust persists, and finally, wipe clean with a dry cloth.
Use cooking oil
The cooking oil method involves elements of both the vinegar and wire brush cleaning techniques. Begin by wire brushing surface rust from your bolts while securing them in a vice. Once brushed, fill a container with your bolts and cover with cooking oil (ideally vegetable oil). Leave for a few hours, rinse under clean water and dry for a clean, rust-free finish.
How to safety wire your motorcycle bolts
One risk your motorcycle faces that you need to be acutely aware of is that some bolts can loosen through vibration if not secured properly. The best way to ensure that your bolts aren’t loosened on your ride is by applying safety wire to achieve maximum security without making them so tight that they become damaged.
To safety wire your motorcycle bolts, you’ll need the following:
- A roll of safety wire
- Safety wire pliers
- Side cutters
Steps:
- Firstly, cut the length of the safety wire slightly longer than you estimate you’ll need so you have some excess wire. Pass the safety wire through the upper bolt and use your pliers to pull further until both ends of the wire are roughly the same length.
- Fold the backside of the wire over the bolt so it sits under the wire on the opposite side and twist it clockwise. Pull the wire down to the lower bolt and clamp the wire at that length. Use your pliers to tighten the wire, twisting it clockwise. Ensure that the twists of the wire line up to meet the next bolt. You may need to apply the last couple of twists by hand.
- Feed one side wire through the lower bolt and pull it fully through with the pliers. Fold the opposite piece, fold it under the pulled-through wire and twist it in an anti-clockwise direction using the pliers. Cut the excess wire with the side cutters and fold the small amount of outward-facing wire so there’s no risk of cutting.
Stock up on motorcycle bolts at Racebolt
Ensure top performance for your motorcycle with new bolts from our wide range of high-quality fasteners at Racebolt. We have been a leading supplier of British fasteners that ensure a superior finish and stunning look for over 20 years.
Our fasteners are available in various materials like titanium, stainless steel and aluminium for your nuts, bolts, washers and accessory needs. If you need a specific bolt for your model, use our Find My Fastener tool to locate fasteners suited to your bike and needs.
