Could have died today

o2jmpr · 05-28-2019, 04:28 PM

A tad dramatic maybe but...... I lost the bottom bolt out of my rear brake caliper bracket and the calipers rotated up off the disc at 55mph. Got stopped safely. Checked the top bolt then limped home to find the other one flew off!

I ran to the hardware store for new m8x20 bolts and the big bottle of Loctite!

I have a new question though... is it ok ( or wise) to use a split washer on the bolt side since there’s no nut on the back side? I’ve read on Google that split washers are supposed to go on the nut side for most applications but I’d like the extra safety if it’s ok.

**JerryHawk250** · 05-28-2019, 04:31 PM

Use Loctite. I've lost one while trail riding. Was lucky my wife had spotted it on the ground. This is one reason why you should always do a pre-ride inspection before every ride.

Wild Dog · 05-28-2019, 05:15 PM

I'm not saying that you did what i'm going to say.
But a lot of people seems to be overtorquing everything, overtorque can be even worst than undertorquing. When you overtorque a bolt, it start to stretch. That starts to weaken the bolt, the crappy the bolt is, the faster it will snap.
Once you get the new bolts, torque them to spec and use thread locker(something i guess you did the first time).
About the split washer, as long the bolt can cover all the threads. It's ok.

o2jmpr · 05-28-2019, 05:23 PM

Thanks for the replies. I previously loctited everything. I just put on new tires and a new chain and after doing so, honestly can’t say whether or not I used it again after reassembly on the rear.

Megadan · 05-28-2019, 06:55 PM

Thread compound is the smartest thing you can do. If you ever remove the bolts, clean all of the old stuff off the threads of both the bolt and out of the caliper bracket before applying new stuff to them. The bolts themselves are only torqued to around 22-25ft-lbs.

dpl096 · 05-28-2019, 09:36 PM

Dan's spot on regarding the threads. I've got a cheap harbor freight tap & die kit that I use for chasing threads to make damn sure they're clean. Thread lock just doesn't bond well with old thread lock..

o2jmpr · 05-28-2019, 10:04 PM

I brushed off the bolts but not in the bracket holes.

roundhouse · 05-28-2019, 10:31 PM

Dang that would scare the heck out of me. I did the loctite thing when I got the bike and started reading on here. no probs, fingers crossed.

elkhunter338 · 05-29-2019, 12:53 AM

Don't forget Blue lock tight for stuff you want to get back apart. Blue holds just fine.

Bruces · 05-29-2019, 07:34 AM

You might want to look for some better quality bolts than the hardware store stuff .

bogieboy · 05-29-2019, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpl096

Dan's spot on regarding the threads. I've got a cheap harbor freight tap & die kit that I use for chasing threads to make damn sure they're clean. Thread lock just doesn't bond well with old thread lock..

brake cleaner will disolve most threadlocks as an FYI

o2jmpr · 05-29-2019, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruces

You might want to look for some better quality bolts than the hardware store stuff .

I agree with you. I did purchase grade 10. There might be better, but it's surely a million times better than what the bike came with.

Thanks for the post.

o2jmpr · 05-31-2019, 01:26 PM

Could have died today (part deux).

Lost my new chain at 55mph today. Pretty sure the Hawk wants me dead. I have a 17 front and 45 rear sprocket and went with a new MSR 128 link standard HD chain. I adjusted chain tension to about 9/16" freeplay with my weight on the bike and made sure the master link faced with the open end to the rear of chain travel direction.

I'm lucky (I guess) that chain flew cleanly off without wrapping up a tire or destroying the engine. Sprockets look ok too. A nice fella found my chain and brought it to me while I was waiting for the tow truck. It was clear it broke at the master link. When I got home I removed the front sprocket cover to check the sprocket and found the master link stuck in the well, all intact. The moveable inner plate was pressed down the pins, flat against the pin plate and the clip is gone.

Not sure whether to go get another 132 link chain and press my luck further or trade.

Megadan · 05-31-2019, 02:16 PM

Why trade the whole bike for a problem with a part that isn't even related to it?

o2jmpr · 05-31-2019, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

Why trade the whole bike for a problem with a part that isn't even related to it?

That was frustration speaking. You're right buddy, I should have waited a while before posting but doing so right away made me feel better about the situation.

05-28-2019, 04:28 PM	#1
o2jmpr Join Date: May 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 120	Could have died today A tad dramatic maybe but...... I lost the bottom bolt out of my rear brake caliper bracket and the calipers rotated up off the disc at 55mph. Got stopped safely. Checked the top bolt then limped home to find the other one flew off! I ran to the hardware store for new m8x20 bolts and the big bottle of Loctite! I have a new question though... is it ok ( or wise) to use a split washer on the bolt side since there’s no nut on the back side? I’ve read on Google that split washers are supposed to go on the nut side for most applications but I’d like the extra safety if it’s ok.
	0

05-28-2019, 04:31 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,567	Use Loctite. I've lost one while trail riding. Was lucky my wife had spotted it on the ground. This is one reason why you should always do a pre-ride inspection before every ride. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	2

05-28-2019, 06:55 PM	#5
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,028	Thread compound is the smartest thing you can do. If you ever remove the bolts, clean all of the old stuff off the threads of both the bolt and out of the caliper bracket before applying new stuff to them. The bolts themselves are only torqued to around 22-25ft-lbs. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	2

05-28-2019, 09:36 PM	#6
dpl096 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: East Central Hellinois Posts: 1,344	Dan's spot on regarding the threads. I've got a cheap harbor freight tap & die kit that I use for chasing threads to make damn sure they're clean. Thread lock just doesn't bond well with old thread lock.. __________________ ************************************************ * " Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted." - John Lennon “I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” ― Thomas Jefferson "If you don't know where you're going any road will take you there" ....George Harrison song
	2

05-31-2019, 02:16 PM	#14
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,028	Why trade the whole bike for a problem with a part that isn't even related to it? __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	0

05-28-2019, 05:15 PM	#3
Wild Dog Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Argentina Posts: 756	I'm not saying that you did what i'm going to say. But a lot of people seems to be overtorquing everything, overtorque can be even worst than undertorquing. When you overtorque a bolt, it start to stretch. That starts to weaken the bolt, the crappy the bolt is, the faster it will snap. Once you get the new bolts, torque them to spec and use thread locker(something i guess you did the first time). About the split washer, as long the bolt can cover all the threads. It's ok.
	1

05-28-2019, 05:23 PM	#4
o2jmpr Join Date: May 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 120	Thanks for the replies. I previously loctited everything. I just put on new tires and a new chain and after doing so, honestly can’t say whether or not I used it again after reassembly on the rear.
	0

05-28-2019, 10:04 PM	#7
o2jmpr Join Date: May 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 120	I brushed off the bolts but not in the bracket holes.
	0

05-28-2019, 10:31 PM	#8
roundhouse Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: N Texas Posts: 706	Dang that would scare the heck out of me. I did the loctite thing when I got the bike and started reading on here. no probs, fingers crossed.
	0

05-29-2019, 12:53 AM	#9
elkhunter338 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Oregon Posts: 81	Don't forget Blue lock tight for stuff you want to get back apart. Blue holds just fine.
	0

05-29-2019, 07:34 AM	#10
Bruces Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 1,581	You might want to look for some better quality bolts than the hardware store stuff .
	1

05-31-2019, 01:26 PM	#13
o2jmpr Join Date: May 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 120	Could have died today (part deux). Lost my new chain at 55mph today. Pretty sure the Hawk wants me dead. I have a 17 front and 45 rear sprocket and went with a new MSR 128 link standard HD chain. I adjusted chain tension to about 9/16" freeplay with my weight on the bike and made sure the master link faced with the open end to the rear of chain travel direction. I'm lucky (I guess) that chain flew cleanly off without wrapping up a tire or destroying the engine. Sprockets look ok too. A nice fella found my chain and brought it to me while I was waiting for the tow truck. It was clear it broke at the master link. When I got home I removed the front sprocket cover to check the sprocket and found the master link stuck in the well, all intact. The moveable inner plate was pressed down the pins, flat against the pin plate and the clip is gone. Not sure whether to go get another 132 link chain and press my luck further or trade.
	1