Odd problem with Canyon Cage

[Festus]

I’m having an odd problem I can’t logic out. Gen 3, the Canyon Cages from the company that closed up, I forget the name.

They have the three points of contact for securing. One, to the engine mounting bolt, with the slider attached to it, up front. Second one mounts lower on the center of the bike, next to the lower center motor/trans mount. Third one is a bent bracket that goes behind the side plastic FJR cover, just about where the gas tank hits the seat. It uses a large head silver screw with an Allen head hole. It’s actually a shoulder bolt.

I took that plastic side cover off a few months ago and I couldn’t get the screw back in. I tried yesterday while Viper Dad was testing out the fuel pump on his bike and I loosened every canyon cage bolt or nut, I pulled on it, I put a jack under the engine, I put a jack on the loose canyon cage, and for the life of me, I can’t get the canyon cage bracket to line up with the hole on the frame. It’s been in place for years now. I’ve taken the cover off several times over the years and never had an issue.

Bike has never been dropped.

I can take a die grinder and open the canyon cage bracket hole but I’d rather not unless I have to.

Any ideas what would spring that thing? I’d like to think I’m riding it so hard, I’ve twisted the frame but that’s not possible.

[raYzerman]

Beats me, but..... how about loosen off the other two to see if it will line up.....

[Festus]

I’ve loosened everything up. I can’t get it to line up, which means my side cover is missing a bolt and the top connection point of the cage to the frame isn’t bolted. It’s a head scratcher for me.

[wheatonFJR]

Mr Festus, all I know is on my other beautiful '13, I had Canyon Cages and admit that they had a hard time lining up. You're smarter than me, I'm sure you will figure it out.

[Festus]

You're smarter than me

If that's true (and I'm sure it's not), you're in deep trouble.

[CollingsBob]

I’ve always had to tweak that mounting position into place to avoid cross threading the bolt. I think there’s enough meat in the flange to enlarge it slightly with a dremel..

[Spininprop]

Mine fits, but it's tight. If you're saying the cage hole is covering some of the bike mount hole not allowing the shouldered screw to engage, never had that issue. The issue i have is making sure the screw head is aligned properly, i.e. vertically and horizontal, to allow the threads to engage. I turn and turn that screw only to realize if i drop the screw head a bit toward the ground, it aligns and the threads catch. It's the angle of the screw and the surrounding bits of metal and plastic, i think, that makes it appear in the correct position when it's not.

[raYzerman]

Mr. Festus is resourceful, I have faith!!
I've had to muscle T-Rex bars too... I'll bet OK when all jigged up ready for welding, then heat/cooling does it's magic.

[SkooterG]

So, did you get this squared away? I've mounted the Canyon Cages on several FJRs now. Like others, that one position can be a little finicky, but never had to swear too much while mounting them.