Threadlock paste or not?

[gerb73]

I have a 1983 gs550e/es. I am in the process of redoing carbs and o-rings as well as fairing work. I have my o-rings from cycleorings.com. Here is my question: Do i need to use threadlock paste on bolts for the intake boots that bolts up to the engine. How about the frame bolts for the fairing frame as well as any other bolts. I am worried about bolts being vibrated off while I am riding.

Thanks
Gerb

[cowboyup3371]

No you won't; the only thing you really need to use is anti-seize. And if your bike is vibrating that badly than your carbs are out of sync. Take care of that and you'll be fine.

[gerb73]

Thanks cowboyup. This is my 1st bike and am learning. Where do you suggest using the anti-seize?

[cowboyup3371]

Use the copper anti-seize on the bolts attaching the boots as well as the stator cover and exhaust headers. You'd be well-advised to replace the stock screws with allen or hex head ones to make it easier to remove.

You'll use the threadlocker for the more internal bolts but I'd suggest using the search feature since there's a lot of discussions over it.

[gerb73]

Thats good info. I tried a search and found that the posts had nothing to do with this. may have misspelled or wrong term for search.
Yeah, i had the phillips head screws on intake boots and had to drill the heads out/off. Luckily the rest of the bolt spun freely after that. I have hex head bolts that cycleorings.com sent.

[chuckycheese]

Loctite

Using Loctite or any similar product on your carbs is a BAD idea if you intend to keep the bike.....and it's a CRUEL idea if you plan on selling it.

[ddaniels]

Using Loctite or any similar product on your carbs is a BAD idea if you intend to keep the bike.....and it's a CRUEL idea if you plan on selling it.

Fo Shizzle! Also a bad idea to put phillips head screws on the carbs to begin with.

[mike-s]

Agreed, once i got the old carb boots off my bike (i had to resort to hacksawing the old bolts off) and then use locking multigrips to get the old thread out. Replaced them with stainless steed allen-key head bolts and haven't had a problem with them coming loose (except when i want them to) since.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. gerb73,

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Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff