Did someone say, check your bolts?

[Dr. D]

I installed Sato rearsets on my M696 about two months ago.  Some riding on it through the winter, but not much.  I know that one should always recheck bolts after installing parts like that; I thought I had.  Today while prepping the bike to take it to the track next Sunday something seemed wrong on the LH side.  Took a few seconds for me to realize the big nut that goes into the swingarm pivot location was gone.  FARK!! 

Quick call to Duc Pond made me relax.  They will order the part and it should be at their shop on Thursday.  If it isn't, then they will take a nut off of one of their bikes.  Good place!

I guess one should check the bolts after installing parts.   

[H2O]

I had the exact problem this week with my Sato rear sets. I didnt lose anything, but the bolts did back out enough to make for an unsafe ride. I locktited every bolt and made sure they were torqued down tight. The rear brake pedal bolt was bent and still in place, but the nut was gone. I got a slightly longer bolt and put 2 nuts on it to ensure this doesnt happen again. I will make this a part of my pre ride and weekly check on the bike until I am satisfied they are on for good!

Jim

[Novelo]

Talk about checking your bolts. I took the bike out for a wash a few weeks ago while washing I noticed something moving took a closer look the sprocket carrier nut was loose by loose I mean I could unscrew it by hand  and to think I was on the highway the day before. 

[dennisd]

What a coincidence, on my second ride after installing my Woodcraft rearsets on my M1100 I was approaching a stop sign and couldn't get the bike to downshift.  Of course there was a car "squeezing" me to go so I managed to take off in second and find a place to pull over.  Same thing, the large head bolt that goes through the rearset into the swingarm pivot was backed out enough it was rubbing on the shifter arm.  Luckily, there was a lawn mowing crew nearby and I was able to borrow an adjustable wrench to tighten it back up.  When I got home I removed the small washer from the bolt and re-torqued it.  It hasn't backed out again but I'll keep an eye on it and if it does, I'll locktight it.  I had installed the bolts according to the shop manual, using grease on the threads and then torquing it to spec.

[Dr. D]

The new bolt did not make it in time for me to install it before the track day today at Summit Point.  So the dealership did as they said and pulled one of a bike in stock yesterday morning so I could install it and get out on the track.  They also provided suggestions on how to be more certain it will stay in, though they also reccommeded checking it now and then.  I don't know what the policy here is regarding naming businesses:  If it is OK, I want to state that DucPond is a good place to work with.   

[TAftonomos]

This might happen more often..  I think I've sold 3-4 sets of those things this past month alone!

[hcomp]

Pretty much I would almost always loctite bolts on a bike. At least the blue stuff.  Three Bond is becoming more readily available as well (the OEM Ducati thread locker...)

[DaFoose]

LoL, last year while riding up a mountain, I went to downshift, and I had no shifter! The nut and bolt in the linkage came off, so I had to cannabalize one from my headlight assembly.  Thankfully the shifter was just hanging there, but was kind of a scary moment. And I never even messed with the linkage before!