Ducati Monster Forum

So my Apex clip-ons + CycleCat adapters came yesterday for my S4, and I decided to frenetically try and install them before the Celtics Championship game started (2 hours from the beginning of installation....  :-\)

-1st things 1st...  [drink] [drink] [drink] [drink] (that seems to be a reliable way to make the beast with two backs up whatever it is you're doing).

-So all I had to remove/reinstall the mounting hardware was one of those cheesy fold-out multi-size hex keys and most of the bolts were factory torqued to WAY beyond what this stupid thing could handle, so I used a "cheater bar" to try and get them loose... Big Mistake..  [bang] 

-I ended up stripping the heads of 90% of the mounting hardware, and very smartly used the SAME bolts (with Loctite) to fasten everything down because I was in a half-drunken rush.. God help me if I ever have to take them off!!   [roll] Due to the absence of a torque wrench, I just cranked the nuts out of each bolt until it wouldn't turn anymore..

-I inspected the damage this morning and the actual install doesn't look that bad, but most of the hex heads are hopelessly rounded out..  >:( [bang] Has anyone had luck using Easy-Outs or removing bolts that are torqued down really hard??

-I will post pics when I get a chance (maybe tonight), But the moral of the story is to watch your alcohol intake prior to wrenching on your bike!! Obviously having a few beers and working on the bike is fun, but once you get that "Ahhh screw it" attitude you'll likely do more damage than modding!! I remember someone here who didn't tighten the rear axle nut on their S2R and make the beast with two backsed up their rim...I feel your pain!!!  :-[

-Oh, and to top it all off the Matris steering damper I just mounted 2 weeks ago doesn't fit now... I need to find a side-mount bracket.... Uggghhh... Sorry, I just needed to vent..

Get yourself an impact driver to remove the stripped out screws. Its a tool that you insert a bit into (hex socket) and hit with a hammer. It should take em right out. Don't use easy outs.

also, pinch bolts don't have to be "cranked down."

Yeah, it was more the adapters that attached to the triple that I cranked down... Luckily I maintained some common sense and realized that the threads on the pinch bolts could be damaged if tightened too much...

I prefer to wait until I am done working on the bike, then celebrate with a nice  [drink].   Or if I have already been drinking, cleaning the bike can be fun, but no maintenance.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=292.0  ;)

on the positive side....the celtics won #17 [thumbsup]

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Sounds like the torque-wrench monkey in the factory in Italy won :P

if you heat the bolts w/ a soldering iron the loctite will loosen