Tank bolts......OH #$#@!!

[N4HHE]

Making mountains out of molehills. Just don't over torque the bolts and you won't have this problem again.

P/N 90149-06302-00 is an M6 with the FSM says should be torqued to the astronomical arm twisting value of 4.3 ft-lbf (or 6 Nm).

[Red]

Now my next question. A co-worked said to make sure you don't use a bolt that will react badly to the frame metal......good suggestion I thought. The bolt that was in there is Stainless Steel, correct? Or is there another option I should use to replace them? I won't be replacing with an Allen head bolt that's for sure.

Pardon my ignorance, but did you not read the post directly before yours that addresses this specific topic?

Russ,

In my experience, it is one thing to tell somebody they should use things like Anti-Seize compound, and something else entirely to explain why, to most people. Corrosion is a fact of life, but we can delay or prevent it. We are both saying the same precautions, certainly. I meant no offense there.

[Steel_Gin]

Now my next question. A co-worked said to make sure you don't use a bolt that will react badly to the frame metal......good suggestion I thought. The bolt that was in there is Stainless Steel, correct? Or is there another option I should use to replace them? I won't be replacing with an Allen head bolt that's for sure.

Pardon my ignorance, but did you not read the post directly before yours that addresses this specific topic?

I read it. Since I have to buy new bolts I wanted to make sure I'm not depending solely on anti-seize to prevent the bolt from seizing up. Just trying to put the odds more in my favor.

[rbentnail]

Now my next question. A co-worked said to make sure you don't use a bolt that will react badly to the frame metal......good suggestion I thought. The bolt that was in there is Stainless Steel, correct? Or is there another option I should use to replace them? I won't be replacing with an Allen head bolt that's for sure.

Pardon my ignorance, but did you not read the post directly before yours that addresses this specific topic?

I read it. Since I have to buy new bolts I wanted to make sure I'm not depending solely on anti-seize to prevent the bolt from seizing up. Just trying to put the odds more in my favor.

And that's exactly what that post addresses. A known-to-work solution to your concern. Juss sayin.

[raYzerman]

Glad everything worked out.

Now get some new bolts, a little anti-seize and just snug them up gently.


Canadian FJR

I don't believe the originals are stainless, more like chrome plated..... new ones and anti-seize..... snug.

[FJRoss]

Don't know why this is even an issue. I agree with Ray that they are more likely chrome plated rather than stainless.
With or without anti-seize, don't tighten them too much and there will never be a problem. I messed up one of the heads on one of mine when I first bought my '07 (lightly used). Previous owner overtightened the bolts and I used a crappy Allen wrench which slipped - head was blemished but still functional. Was always more careful after that making sure the hex key is in good condition and fully seated before applying torque. With the awkward angle, it is easy to get the wrench misaligned.

The ones that I have to be careful about are the two short Allen bolts that hold the plastic tank trim in place. VERY easy to get these going at the wrong angle and cross-threading them. If there is ANY significant resistance, I back off and start again.

[fjray]

It's amazing how many miles we can get out of a couple bolts. Not as good as an oil thread but a good start.

[FJRoss]

It's amazing how many miles we can get out of a couple bolts. Not as good as an oil thread but a good start.

I was thinking the same (before I added my two cents worth).

[N4HHE]

It's amazing how many miles we can get out of a couple bolts. Not as good as an oil thread but a good start.

I always use motorcycle specific ultra virgin ester synthetic $25/qt JASO MA2 on my tank bolts before installing.

[gixxerjasen]

The ones that I have to be careful about are the two short Allen bolts that hold the plastic tank trim in place. VERY easy to get these going at the wrong angle and cross-threading them. If there is ANY significant resistance, I back off and start again.

And super easy to overtighten these as well. My left side never finds home, it screws in and spins. I worried I'd lose it but it's been like that for 50K miles with multiple removals and reinstalls and it's still the original one.