Quick Release for seat cowl?

I've been reading that some of you have a quick release mechanism for the rear seat cowl. Where can I find out more about these for my 98?

 

Sargent Cycle Products makes something they claim is a fast release for the VFR 800 rear cowl. Looks like it replaces the "frankenbolt". They call it a "fast access pin"
Russ

 

It is from Sargent cycle seats. I bought a set when I bought one of their fabulous seats. They are not as attractive as the chrome bolts from stock, but they work great and make access super fast and convenient.

 

Thanks Whiplash!

I will look at their site and see if they are available as a seperate item although the seat is on my shopping list as well.
:biggrin:

 

I found some special bolts that have a folding D-ring at the top that I used to replace the 2 hex head bolts on each side of my fairing and the 2 bolts that hold my seat cowl in place. Unlike the Sargent bolts, there's no drilling involved.

jD

 

They look pretty nice, where did you get them? The Sargeant pins are $36 and I did not see anywhere that you needed to drill out anything but if that is the case I would prefer not to do it.

Your bike looks sweet with all of the details that you have added!:biggrin:

 

This is what the Sargent website says about the pins:

Designed to replace any 6mm fastener (with a 10mm cap head) where torque is not specified, FAST ACCESS Quick Release Pins install quickly and permanently (drilling required).

jD

 

Not stumping for the Sargent pins, but the drilling is no problem. I too worried about it, at first, but it was easy. You are not drilling any new holes. You are just expanding , or drilling out, the holes that are already there for the stock bolts. I don't remember the drill size exactly but they tell you it and you just go straight in to ream out the threaded bolt holes.

 

I agree that the actual drilling isn't a problem, but once the threaded holes are drilled out, you can't go back to threaded fasteners, and if you lose (or someone steals) one or both fast-pins, you may be SOL.

jD

 

JD, very true. It is a risk I was worried about but was willing to take. 4 years and so far no loss or theft and I'm always careful when I take them out and put them back in. I hope my luck holds out. There is a loop on each one for a wire or cable or something to tie them to but it I have yet to find a way it looks good to me.

 

I have a 2004 VFR and I've been looking for a rear cowl for some time. Haven't found anything for that year. Don't suppose you guys would know where to find one?

 

I just found this thread. I am thinking of going with the sargents but am not too exicted about permanently drilling out those holes. jD, where did you get those bolts with the D rings?

 

I bought them from an online motorcycle store that had APEX as part of their name, but a year or two ago I tried to buy some more and was told they no longer carried them. There are similar looking fasteners (in several colors) listed in the Lockhart-Phillips catalogue and your local dealer may have them in stock or be able to order them. The LP catalogue doesn't say what size they are so I can't say for sure that they're the same as the OEM 6mm bolts. They call them D-ring Screw Fasteners.

If anybody is considering the Sargent fasteners, here's the link to the VFR discussion forum page that shows how they're installed:

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=381

jD