Author Topic: Putting forks back together-Thread sealant on bottom bolt? (Read 1093 times)

denward17 · « **on:** January 16, 2024, 05:11:04 PM »

'76 CB550K

Putting the fork tubes back into the lower legs.

The bottom 8mm allen bolt (6mm allen), do I use loctite or thread sealant?

Is there a torque rating for that allen bolt?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2024, 06:09:44 PM »

I never use loctite or anything else...somebody else probably gonna want back in there someday(probably me!) You know there is a copper washer that goes there, right? If you forgot to order one, I just re-use the old and its fine 9 times out of 10, no fiddling with annealing the copper or anything. I just tighten with a light zap of the same impact I used to dis=assemble.

denward17 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2024, 08:24:19 PM »

Found in the service manual under the Addendum for 550F to use thread sealant on that bolt, so will do that.

No torque value given that I have found, will just go by the 8mm size (10.8-16.6), so about 14 ft lbs.

newday777 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2024, 08:32:16 PM »

Quote from: denward17 on January 16, 2024, 08:24:19 PM

Found in the service manual under the Addendum for 550F to use thread sealant on that bolt, so will do that.

No torque value given that I have found, will just go by the 8mm size (10.8-16.6), so about 14 ft lbs.

The copper crush washer is all you need.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2024, 10:12:30 PM »

Quote from: newday777 on January 16, 2024, 08:32:16 PM

Quote from: denward17 on January 16, 2024, 08:24:19 PM
Found in the service manual under the Addendum for 550F to use thread sealant on that bolt, so will do that.

No torque value given that I have found, will just go by the 8mm size (10.8-16.6), so about 14 ft lbs.
The copper crush washer is all you need.

Exactly.

Edit:I've seen some that came apart with blue RTV silicone;it was easy to clean off.
I prefer to use only the copper crush gasket and a new one is No Leaks.

Flyin900 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2024, 10:57:12 PM »

No thread sealant just the washer as already noted.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2024, 04:43:33 AM »

I always put a dab of Hondabond on the threads (can’t hurt and might help?).

newday777 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2024, 06:23:36 AM »

Thread sealer or locate will make very hard to remove later on.......

willbird · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2024, 07:07:45 AM »

Quote from: newday777 on January 17, 2024, 06:23:36 AM

Thread sealer or locate will make very hard to remove later on.......

I have sometimes used a very low grade loctite as a way to help protect against galvanic corrosion.

Bill

Lucien Harpress · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2024, 08:32:21 AM »

Loctite? No. You still want the option of getting it back apart at some point.

Hondabond/Yamabond/Threebond? Sure. I've slapped a bit on those bolts when I put them in last time. It probably isn't necessary, but it doesn't hurt anything either. And it's less of an adhesive and more of a liquid gasket, so the bolt is still easily removable.

bryanj · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2024, 08:54:11 AM »

Niether unless you are real swine to the next person to strip it down, and dont forget that could be you

Kelly E · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2024, 09:08:10 AM »

Blue Locktite works fine on this bolt. It still comes out when it's time for service, I've done it many times. It will also help prevent leaks if the copper washer has an issue. You definitely don't want to use red Locktite unless the bike belongs to someone you can't stand.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2024, 12:11:22 PM »

Loctite is unlikely to work unless you assembled your forks with no oil, i.e. perfectly dry, as loctite will not bond to oil. Not to mention that the bolt does not thread into the fork lower, it threads into your damper rod which is perpetually submerged in fork oil inside your fork lower. Thats why the copper washer is there.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2024, 12:35:40 PM »

Quote from: Lucien Harpress on January 17, 2024, 08:32:21 AM

Loctite? No. You still want the option of getting it back apart at some point.

Hondabond/Yamabond/Threebond? Sure. I've slapped a bit on those bolts when I put them in last time. It probably isn't necessary, but it doesn't hurt anything either. And it's less of an adhesive and more of a liquid gasket, so the bolt is still easily removable.

I use the Hondabond as a little extra seal. Like I said, it can’t hurt.

denward17 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2024, 12:40:09 PM »

Thanks for the replies and discussion Guys....

I put them back together today and did use just a smidge of thread sealant since the manual called for it, with new bolts and washers.

M 750K6 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2024, 02:46:36 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on January 17, 2024, 12:11:22 PM

.... Not to mention that the bolt does not thread into the fork lower, it threads into your damper rod which is perpetually submerged in fork oil inside your fork lower. Thats why the copper washer is there.

Are you saying the bolt threads are nothing to do with whether it seals, it all depends on the copper washer?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2024, 03:36:02 PM »

Quote from: M 750K6 on January 17, 2024, 02:46:36 PM

Quote from: seanbarney41 on January 17, 2024, 12:11:22 PM
.... Not to mention that the bolt does not thread into the fork lower, it threads into your damper rod which is perpetually submerged in fork oil inside your fork lower. Thats why the copper washer is there.
Are you saying the bolt threads are nothing to do with whether it seals, it all depends on the copper washer?

yes

Kelly E · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2024, 07:21:41 PM »

Yep, and when you insert and tighten the bolt Locktite is squeezed into the copper washer area and helps seal it.
To be honest the only way I have ever assembled forks is all of the parts have been cleaned and are dry. Is there another way?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2024, 07:39:26 PM »

Quote from: Kelly E on January 17, 2024, 07:21:41 PM

Yep, and when you insert and tighten the bolt Locktite is squeezed into the copper washer area and helps seal it.
To be honest the only way I have ever assembled forks is all of the parts have been cleaned and are dry. Is there another way?

I always coat everything with oil after everything is cleaned ...so it slides together nice. Probably makes no difference as long as seals are not getting gouged or piston rings galled

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2024, 05:28:05 AM »

Quote from: Kelly E on January 17, 2024, 07:21:41 PM

Yep, and when you insert and tighten the bolt Locktite is squeezed into the copper washer area and helps seal it.
To be honest the only way I have ever assembled forks is all of the parts have been cleaned and are dry. Is there another way?

Same here. Seal gets lubricated for installation, but otherwise fork oil goes to where it’s needed when I fill it.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 18, 2024, 06:57:39 AM »

Copper washer works, a little Hondabond or blue locktite can help

Mark1976 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2024, 08:11:09 AM »

It's a copper washer, re-anneal it and reinstall. Done...

Kelly E · « **Reply #22 on:** January 18, 2024, 08:20:32 AM »

Quote from: Mark1976 on January 18, 2024, 08:11:09 AM

It's a copper washer, re-anneal it and reinstall. Done...

I always anneal the washer if it is a used one, we usually have new copper washers in stock.

denward17 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 18, 2024, 09:13:36 AM »

Just curious, can one anneal a copper washer with a heat gun on highest setting?

Mark1976 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 18, 2024, 09:56:21 AM »

Use your propane torch, if you don't have that, use your gas stove, heat till red, let it cool. Don't quench it...

bryanj · « **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2024, 11:45:05 AM »

Yes you do quench in water after heating to cherry red

Mark1976 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 18, 2024, 03:19:41 PM »

You can quench if you prefer but its not a requirement.

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Author Topic: Putting forks back together-Thread sealant on bottom bolt? (Read 1093 times)