VFR Body Panels & Blue Loctite

When you guys reassemble the panels on your bike, do you use blue loctite on the screws? When I was disassembling the left and right side cowls, I was surprised how loose or easy the screws were to come out. I was considering using blue loctite on the screws during reassemble, but thought I better check in with the pros............

Thanks for your input.

 

Hey benjammer,
I almost didn't respond to this, because I'm not an expert, but...those screws are only asposta be put in hand tight. They won't handle much torque.
If you use loctite, don't let it touch the paint.

Mac

 

I'm no pro but I thought I'd chime in on this one. The factory recommended torque setting for the bolts I think your talking about (not the the three short bolts at the bottom of the side cowlings) is 1.1 ft lbs. I know its not much but the "nut" seems to be either plastic or rubber. I think I'd stay away from the loctite as it might eat the "nut". If it needed loctite, I'm sure the service manual would indicate it. Every couple of rides I just do a quick once over of the fairing bolts with a t-handle allen wrench and make sure everything is snug - they seem to stay put pretty good.

 

When I first got my bike (same as yours Benjammer) I rode it home and once more before finding that many of the cowling screws were just finger tight, in fact, the screws holding the tank gas cap on were also all loose. I went all over the bike and tightened everything I could find down to "snug", since then, no problems, have had the bike apart several times and always just "snug". And yes, if I remember correctly, some of the nuts that the screws go into are plastic, so dont honk down on the screws...

Wish I could still ride up here! Brrrrrrrrr

 

Appreciate all the responses. After reading, I'm just going to snug them down. As mentioned above, I have a fear of Loctite eating the paint or something.
Thanks again.