Fairing Bolt Stuck

Has anyone ever come accross this? I have a '96, and the fairing bolt on the right lower, next to the rear brake, is stuck, It moves either direction about a quarter turn. I know I had it off in the fall, any ideas why it is stuck now? They go on so easy, I doubt there was any way I cross threaded it. I would like to get it off without damaging the fairing.

 

Grab the fairing stay inside of the fairing with a pair of vise grips, and turn the bolt out as normal. In all likelihood, the bolt is stuck because it got a little damp and seized up. The fairing stays are pretty chintzy, so they tend to flex with a stuck bolt, leading you to believe that it's actually turning a little.

 

Need to put some muscle to it...

 

I'm putting plenty of muscle to it, to th epoint I am afraid I may break my allen wrench. VT Viffer - Doesn't this one connect into the frame, not a stay? It is right next to the rear brake pedal.

 

hmmmmmmmmmm....can you provide a pic?Sounds like you may have to pull out the stops on this one, it happens.As a tractor mechanic by day I deal with this more than most, to salvage your plastic can you get a thin zip disc between the lower and cut the bolt ? Free the lower and drill and tap the bolt?Just a thought from this distance.Maybe drill the head off the bolt to free your plastic and work from there?

 

Sorry - I wasn't thinking with my last response. Yeah, that one is in the frame.

Are you using an Allen "key", or an Allen socket attached to a ratchet? Personally, I'd take a small punch, and place it in the center of the bolt (away from the edges of the keyed opening), and give it several solid whacks. Then, if you don't have a 3/8" metric Allen socket set, go buy one. Use the correct size, and rotate the bolt out.

Once it's out, make sure that the threads are still in good shape, take a wire brush to them. Apply a tiny bit of anti-seize to the threads before re-installing it.