Fix your fasteners STICK’S TIPS

Get your fairing perfectly in place with these top tips

1 Attack Allen head bolts

Most motorcycle fairings are secured with metric sized fasteners, so there should be no excuse for not having the correct sized tools. Allen key heads are usually 3, 4, 5 and 6mm. Use a T-bar for fastening them because this will give good feel and more importantly apply a linear amount of pressure upon the head.

3 Don’t get carried away

These little rubber flanged tubes have a captive nut at the end; as they tighten up, they expand and grip the panels together with the rubber flange between. There is never a need to over-tighten them. Installed correctly they pinch panels together using the rubber flange to compress on to, thus reducing the likelihood of cracking.

2 Regular screwdrivers won’t do

The trick is to not treat a crosshead fastener like a regular screw head. Don’t just reach for your usual screwdriver. Instead use a T-bar set with the correct sized tip as it gives more grip and feel than a regular screwdriver. Often the screw is oversize and chromed so it looks good; using a normal size screwdriver will break the chrome surface and damage the head. ‘Don’t have a heat gun? A hairdryer or cup of hot water may work’

4 Warm your well nuts

If you own an older bike fitted with well nuts and you’re finding it difficult to pop them through the fairing holes because they’ve become deformed, try warming them up with a heat gun set on its coolest setting. If this doesn’t work then just order some new ones. Don’t be tempted to replace them with a normal nut and washer.

5 Keep track of what goes where

It’s wise to place the fasteners you are removing in some sort of meaningful order, either in a tray or tub. You need to account for every component and often you’ll find that there are different sized washers and grommets for different locations.

6 Be aware of wires

Modern fairing panels have various electrical connectors attached. For example, indicators can be mounted in fairing uppers and lowers, so keep an eye out for any trailing wires. Mirrors could have indicators or daytime riding LEDs fitted, so take care not to damage the plastics or the connectors.

7 Remove three-way panel clips

These little clips are fitted by various manufacturers and offer a very secure, neat fastening. They look complex but are easy to undo and remove as long as you know how. When fitted they are smooth and flush, with a pin poking out of the middle. If you push in the pin, the grip on the edge of the panel is relaxed and the clip can be removed.

8 Re-install three-way panel clips

Prior to fitting you need to push the pin back out past the flush position so it protrudes. Place the whole clip in position, and push the middle pin back to the flush position to lock it back in. Quite often there are several of these panel clips, which means that all of the holes need to be aligned at the same time.

9 Quarter-turn clips

These little clips have a crosshead plastic screw head in their main body. They only need a quarter of a turn to release the clip’s grip on the panel. They raise slightly as they are turned, so don’t push the screwdriver in as you normally would; treat them gently. When installing, it’s often easier to push the clip in without the screw. This can be fitted and locked in when ready.

10 Grab your grommets

These plastic lugs are nearly always hidden behind panels. Be particularly careful with older bikes that could have frail plastics. The rubber grommet that grips the lug does such a good job, sometimes it is capable of holding on too tight and breaking it off. If you can manage to get a finger around the back of the grommet and help push the lug out this can help.