Author Topic: importance of checking bolts  (Read 1673 times)

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edthetermite

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on: June 10, 2008, 03:13:01 am
I got real lucky or unlucky today depending on
how you look at it.

I was hastily making my way back home trying to beat an
approaching thunderstorm. As I came out of a tight left hand turn
at speed I heard an unusual noise. I looked down and to my surprise
the brake lever was now flipped backwards and grinding on the
pavement. The retaining bolt on the left side that holds the
splined cross shaft of the brake had loosened and allowed the
assembly to move outward from the bike on the right side. Once
the splines were free the lever dropped to the ground. How it didn't
try to flip the bike up is the lucky part. I can only guesstimate
that going through the hard left hand turn provided enough clearance
for it to flip around as the bike was leaning. Dunno.

I now have about 1100 miles on the Enfield and it is past time to
do a thorough check of all bolts and fasteners.

When this happened to me what really sucked was the fact that
after I got pulled over to the side of the road I couldn't put
the bike on the center stand. The out of position brake lever was
keeping the bike from moving backward. A cager stopped and helped me
lift the bike to get things in order. I found the small bushing from
the cross shaft on the road about 40 yards back. That was another
stroke of luck.

Keep It Between the Ditches and bolts TIGHT,

Ed   -in the Ozarks
 
Ed   - Long Live the Iron Barrel !!!!

2008 Military RE "535"    2006 Ural Gear Up


PhilJ

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Reply #1 on: June 10, 2008, 12:43:25 pm
Lucky man there termite. I think your right, it was fortunate that it came off in the corner.


LotusSevenMan

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Reply #2 on: June 13, 2008, 12:55:50 am
Lucky yes, but imagine if you were on a sports bike? You'd never have found that bush as you'd have covered a lot more ground than forty yards!!!!!
I have found that when I work on items I now use a small blob of Locktite on the cleaned off threads. I do it just as I work my way around the bike or have neccessity to remove something etc.
Works well!!!
LSM
If it ain't broke-------------------------- fix it 'till it is!

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petefletcher

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Reply #3 on: June 13, 2008, 08:31:02 am
Or even locking wire on the nuts that aren't going to move year to year.
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