I do my own maintenance on my 07 RKC. Have the service manual and check them off one by one. The one that I fudge on... is the critical fasteners check. Some of those would take some work to get to and 99% sure they're fine (famous last words, huh?).

Those of you that do your own service and follow the checklist -- Do you do the critical fasteners? I'm doing my 20K and thought I'd ask.

 

I usually do a spot check on a few...If they're all tight then I don't worry about the rest.

 

I at least get a wrench on all of them to see if they are obviously loose. On the 88TC with the top motor mount pretty much underneath the gas tank that's a bitch, but I think your 96TC doesn't have that problem.

 

Yes, I make sure I get to all that I can. Just did my 50K. The bottom swing arm bolt had backed out. Would have not fell out due to the right side pipes. But it was a big Oh S**T.

 

We dont need no stinken critical fastener badges!!
Yeah, I'll admit I put these on the back burner as well. I will follow this thread and see what gives. I do appresiate the fact that this was brought up.
I know that they are called critical for a reason. Funny how I just assume to a certain extent that they are properly torqued all the time until you read the..I heard a click click click...shaT!!! belt pully bolts sheared off etc.
Thanks and ride safe

 

Last year i had a few bolts back out near the trans side cover. Couldn't imagine where that unmistakable smell of transfluid was coming from until i looked. Now with each wash i try to make sure all visable bolts/screws are snug

 

Don't forget the little things either.

This past Sunday after a little over 200 miles of riding all day I was 10 minutes from home when my clutch side grip started to twist in my hand. A second later I discovered that it was all the way loose and if I had taken my hand off it would have fallen to the pavement.

2 tiny set screws could have ruined my day.

Loctited them in this time.

 

There's a reason for calling them critical. Imagine any one of them letting go at 80mph. The one under the tank is a bear, but lifting the rear of the tank gives you just enough room to get a box-end on it. I normally do it every 5k rather than the suggested 10k intervals. Once you do it a couple of times it goes pretty fast. Only about a two-beer degree of difficulty.

 

i use a little trick on all those bolts that can't be seen but you can see if you look. torque to the proper spec and put a dab of whiteout on the bolt and the flange or any adjacent spot in line with the dab on the bolt. that way i just have to look and i can see if anything has moved. worked well all the years i spent in the Army.

Dan

 

here is what my manual says is critical fasteners under the maintainence section in the front of the manual... am I missing something?

Hand Controls
Switch Housing
Clutch lever bracket handlebar clamp screws
Master cylinder reservoir handlebar clamp screws
.
Brakes
Brake caliper banjo bolts
Master cylinder banjo bolts
ABS module banjo bolts
Front brake disc screws
Rear brake disc screws
Front master cylinder reservoir cover screws
Rear master cylinder reservoir cover screws
Rear master cylinder to frame screws
Front brake caliper mounting screws
Rear brake caliper to caliper bracket screws
Brake caliper pad pin
.
Axle nuts
Front
Rear
.
Front forks
Front axle holder nuts
.
Pivot shaft
Locknuts
Rear fork bracket bolts
.
Other Transmission to engine bolts
Rear Frame Bolts
.
Engine mount bolts
Top stabilizer link to frame
Top stabilizer link to engine mounting bracket bolt
Front engine mount bracket bolts (2)
Front engine mount end cap bolts (3)
Rear frame to main frame (3-each side)