Speedster Windshield Installation frustration. Help Anyone?

[hep303]

I tried for about an hour to thread the long hex bolt that comes with the Speedster windshield with no success. The short bolts that are on the bike clear the black headlight bracket, but the bracket bows out at about the point of the head of the longer hex bolts. I cannot get the proper angle to start the threads properly. I was considering grinding a mm or 2 off the sides of the long hex bolt head so I have enough room to get the bolt threaded. Has anyone else had this same problem? Any solutions I may try?

Thanks

Mike

[DJ Downunder]

Mike...were you trying to mount the brackets with the screen attached?

Were you using a ball end allan key?

Did you hold your tounge to the left?

DJ

[hep303]

Thanks for responding. I do not have the screen attached to the bracket. The bracket itself makes it hard enough to get the bolt aligned straight into the hole.

I have been using the small allan wrench that came with the tool kit. The problem is, I can't even get the long bolt treaded into the top hole with my fingers. The headlight and directional bracket gets in the way and I don't think the bolt is exactly straight. The threads are very fine and it is tought to get aligned.

I don't know what you mean, tounge to the left?

[bad n ruin]

I don't know what you mean, tounge to the left?

Well, I thought it was funny!

Anyway, DJ is absolutely right - you MUST use a Ballend allen wrench to get this bolt started. After you get the right tool, start the hole you're having trouble with the other bolt, as you may have dinged up the original.

[DJ Downunder]

I don't know what you mean, tounge to the left?

The tongue in your mouth.. ...it is a very close fit...and a bit of a bugger the first time.

I remember when I thought it was imposable.

DJ

[mick Hoff]

Hi,
when you get the 8mm Ballhead alan wrench, you might want to cut
the curved end off, so it will fit it into a 8mm socket & use
a socket wrench to tighten it.
You'll still have to start the bolt by hand, if you turn the front wheel
to the left like DJ's picture it's easier to get up there for that side.

I ended up going to the sport screen & mounts, as it allows me
to switch between the sport & touring screens as needed.

[rdsmith3]

You must use a ball end hex wrench.

Also, for final tightening, I locked the ball end wrench in a pair of Facom locking pliers (they're like Vise Grip, but better). This is one of those jobs where good quality tools really are worth it.

[wncbmw]

I have changed out the bolts for a set of hex head bolts of the same threads and length. It makes it easier to take it off and on. I change between the sport screen and speedster screen from winter to summer.

[hep303]

Thanks for the responses. I will be visiting this site in the future a lot.

After I wrote my response I figured out what you meant. I had my tongue left, right, I was sweating like a happy lady in church with this NY heatwave and was damn near throwing the shield in the garbage.
I ended up grinding down the heads of the bolts to provide the clearance in getting the bolt straight into the hole. I probably took about 2-3 mm off to get them in. A ball end hex wrench would have made tightening the bolt easier, but there was no way those bolts were going to thread the way they were. There was just no room to align them straight with the bracket in the way.

The shield is on now. I went for a spin and it provides a little wind protection, but I like the look.

Thanks to all.

[DJ Downunder]

Glad you got there in the end...tongue to the left makes all the difference..

The small screen seems like it doesn't do much..but it does look good.

You also don't get that full force wind in the chest a higher speeds.

BTW...the bolts that you used..were they like this?...and the 2-3mm that you cut off..was that off the length?

DJ

[Kazushi]

I always find a centered tongue position more helpful, especially when trying to fix a flat..

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sv1ens/de ... pg&.src=ph

I don't know what you mean, tounge to the left?

The tongue in your mouth.. ...it is a very close fit...and a bit of a bugger the first time.

I remember when I thought it was imposable.

DJ

[hep303]

I put the bolts to the grinder to shave down the length, about 1 mm or so, but more to narrow the head. I ground them to about 1mm of material surrounding the hex socket of the bolt. It allowed me to hold the bolt straight into the threads. They were at an angle before being ground down. I considered bending the black headlight bracket with a pair of pliers, but modifying the bolts seemed like a smarter first solution. The bolts that came with the shield look exactly like the ones in your picture. The only concern now is that they may rust. I think they are painted? They don't look galvanized, but the grinder took the dull gray coating off obviously.
Since I have a dialog with an experienced r1150r rider, I have another question: Does your transmission clunk loudly going from neutral to first? (and in downshifting) I was told this is normal for a BMW dry clutch. I had to get used to this at first. Also, a full pull on the clutch while in neutral and kicking down results in nothing. I have to let the clutch out slightly to get into gear. This sound normal?

Mike in NYC

[NoRRmad]

It's normal.