Am I Lucky or What??

[helitrooper]

Came in last week after a bit of a run, including some high speed motorway riding, dropped off the main road into my estate and the bike was feeling very shakey wobbling all over the place, not nice at all. I went very gingerly about a hundred yards to my house and then parked up I didnt get time to look to see what was wrong with it then so I went out this morning to have a look. As I pushed the bike out of the garage I noticed the rear brake seemed to be binding a little - that was strange, on closer inspection I only found that all 4 wheel studs had come loose.!! I hate to think what would have happened if they had come out at 90

So guys next time you go out check your wheel studs are tight - add it to your regular maintainence program or maybe you might not be as lucky as me.

 

[Blackal]

Were the bolts coated with grease, coppaslip or Molykote?

They are meant to be torqued up dry.

I've never had a lubed bolt come loose, but it could be the reason.

Dodged a bullet there - it seems

Al

 

[MikeP]

Has anyone you have upset, recently bought a 17mm socket and breaker-bar?

 

[bladerunner]

Had you locked the bike via the rear wheel prior to setting off?

I had that happen in Bristol and I am sure I disturbed a theft attempt. They would have left the lock and rear wheel behind as they lifted the bike into the truck. The wheel nearly came off on the M32 which would have been interesting

glad you are OK

 

[WellyGoG]

When the wheel bolts have been torqued up properly put a little line of white paint on the flat of the bolt nearest the wheel centre, ie 4 dabs of paint all pointing inwards. Check occasionally, if the paint mark has moved so has the bolt.

 

[helitrooper]

cracking idea, simple but it works.

 

[B4ndit]

When the wheel bolts have been torqued up properly put a little line of white paint on the flat of the bolt nearest the wheel centre, ie 4 dabs of paint all pointing inwards. Check occasionally, if the paint mark has moved so has the bolt.

+1

 

[Finbarr]

Similar thing happened to me last weekend - off roading my 1150GS and after a particularly long set of washboard corrugations I noticed the back end was behaving oddly(!).

At first I thought I must have a rear puncture - but when I pulled over and checked, all four bolts were half way out.
I have to hold my hand up and say I used an impact air gun to do them up in the first place and this was clearly not up to the correct torque.
The constant vibration and jarring from off-road riding helped them work loose more quickly - but it was inevitable I guess. I've since re-tightened them using a torque wrench to the correct setting - a potentially very expensive and dangerous lesson learned.

Kind regards,
Fin.