I have a 2002 FXST. I'm the second owner. The first owner took good care of the bike, but just the basics. I've opened up the cam cover and replaced the tensioners that were well worn. I'm in the process of sealing everything back up and came across something in the Owner's Manual that I'd like some opinions on.

The Manual states "If new flange bolts are not available, thoroughly clean threads and apply a small amount of loctite 262 before installation". This is in reference to the camshaft sprocket bolt and the crank sprocket bolt.

I'm hesitant about using red loctite here, only because I'm sure I'll be doing this process again as mileage takes its toll on the new tensioners. At the same time - it *is* in the SM, so I figure it's there for a reason. Has anyone gone through this process? Did you use loctite?

Thanks -W

 

Been there, done that numerous times changing cams.
Use the red loctite. You'll get them off again when the time comes. But you DON'T want them coming loose before that time.

 

I use blue...never had one back out and just a little bit of heat and they're easy to get out. Make sure the bolt and inside the cam and pinion shaft are nice and clean ,free of any oil or old loctite. Definitely use the primer if you're going to use the blue. You should do the same with red but I think the red would be a little more forgiving on cleanliness. Totally your call...im definitely not a professional but I ain't had one blow up yet.

 

 

I've never had to use heat getting them loose with the red loctite.
Same with the primary sprocket(s) bolts.

 

Yes, use red or buy new bolts. $10 for the set. I had mine back out, luckily no major damage done.
put new bolts on and added more red to it!

 

Thanks very much to all of you. I gotta be honest, NOT the response I expected. I haven't seen a post yet that came back with unanimous consensus :-)

Lesson learned. I'm cleaning the bolts and going with the red loctite.

 

If it's steel to steel I use Red on everything down to 1/4-20. It's probably an unpoplular practice but I don't care. The way these things rattle I'm not taking any chances.

 

I'm just a hobby guy but I've built more than a few twin cams. If bolt spins with the motor and the bolt is the center axis of that spin, I use red. All other nuts and bolts on motor gets blue, doesn't take much, except intake and exhaust flange nuts and bolts get anti-seize. Never had a properly torqued bolt or nut come loose