Can somebody confirm there is no red Loctite on the rear turn signal assembly bolts from the factory?

[Teddysurf]

Hi, I just bought a Vitpilen 401 and went to change out the turn signals. I found out that the dealer where I bought it put copious amounts of red Loctite on the rear turn signal assemblies, which I know they did for a fact and I’ll explain why. When I was making the deal to buy the Vit I asked if they could make the bike have the Svartpilen coloring, i.e. change out the plastic body panels. The dealer agreed to do this, and I received a black and gold Vitpilen. During the transaction, I explain to the dealer that I was going to change out the turn signals and he then attempted to sell me the ones he had in stock which I did not want. He was extremely unhappy that I didn’t buy his turn signals, and a bunch of other contentious stuff happened, but when I went to change out the turn signals, the rear one’s had copious amounts of red Loctite on them. I don’t know if this was malicious or not but It took me two days to get the rear turn signal assembly bolts out. I then started having problems with my seat, as it’s warped and when I ride it pops off the front mounting peg when I’m in a turn.

I emailed the dealer with the seat issue and they never replied. I tried calling and I couldn’t get the person I dealt with originally on the phone and kept getting the runaround. I wrote a review explaining all the issues I had, and some other things that happened and someone from the business replied to the review. The reply was basically its not our fault and pointing the finger at everybody else, and stated that the red Loctite was put on at the factory… Even though they would’ve had to take off the rear turn signal assemblies to change the plastic body panels… so they blamed Bajaj for what they did. The reason I’m writing this post is to confirm that red Loctite is not stock from the factory.

Anyway, thanks in advance.

 

[Seattle401]

Hi, I just bought a Vitpilen 401 and went to change out the turn signals. I found out that the dealer where I bought it put copious amounts of red Loctite on the rear turn signal assemblies, which I know they did for a fact and I’ll explain why. When I was making the deal to buy the Vit I asked if they could make the bike have the Svartpilen coloring, i.e. change out the plastic body panels. The dealer agreed to do this, and I received a black and gold Vitpilen. During the transaction, I explain to the dealer that I was going to change out the turn signals and he then attempted to sell me the ones he had in stock which I did not want. He was extremely unhappy that I didn’t buy his turn signals, and a bunch of other contentious stuff happened, but when I went to change out the turn signals, the rear one’s had copious amounts of red Loctite on them. I don’t know if this was malicious or not but It took me two days to get the rear turn signal assembly bolts out. I then started having problems with my seat, as it’s warped and when I ride it pops off the front mounting peg when I’m in a turn.

I emailed the dealer with the seat issue and they never replied. I tried calling and I couldn’t get the person I dealt with originally on the phone and kept getting the runaround. I wrote a review explaining all the issues I had, and some other things that happened and someone from the business replied to the review. The reply was basically its not our fault and pointing the finger at everybody else, and stated that the red Loctite was put on at the factory… Even though they would’ve had to take off the rear turn signal assemblies to change the plastic body panels… so they blamed Bajaj for what they did. The reason I’m writing this post is to confirm that red Loctite is not stock from the factory.

Anyway, thanks in advance.

I can tell you that my 2020 svartpilen DID have red loctite on the turn signal assembly bolts from the factory, they were hell to get out, snapped an Allen key in half (there was red loctite residue on the ones I removed). One bolt wouldn’t come out at all and I had to basically drill off the head and remove it with pliers. The bolt holes needed tapping to clean them out. I swapped my signals for the European LED versions.

 

[yonsson]

Sounds a little conspiratorial to be honest. My bike DIDN’T have locktite on the bolt that holds the back wheel when mine was delivered, so I almost lost my back wheel on the way home. It did have blue pen marks on it though, indicating they had checked the bolt at the factory. The store told me they tighten all bolts at the factory.

I’ve never had issues with red locktite, but acetone works on blue locktite and heat supposedly works for red locktite.

 

[Teddysurf]

View attachment 4861
Sounds a little conspiratorial to be honest. My bike DIDN’T have locktite on the bolt that holds the back wheel when mine was delivered, so I almost lost my back wheel on the way home. It did have blue pen marks on it though, indicating they had checked the bolt at the factory. The store told me they tighten all bolts at the factory.

I’ve never had issues with red locktite, but acetone works on blue locktite and heat supposedly works for red locktite.

I mean, you can chalk it up to a conspiracy theory if you want all I know is I got mad at the guy, he knew I was going to change out the turn signals, they would have had to remove the tail light assembly is to remove the rear plastic body panels and then they reinstalled the assemblies. I realize these motorcycles are single cylinders, and they vibrate more than other bikes, but red Loctite is just excessive. When I reinstalled the new bolts, I put blue Loctite on them. Anyway, thanks for letting me know that your bike didn’t have any Loctite on the bolt that holds the wheel on though, it should’ve been torqued to 65 foot pounds. When I adjusted the chain, I had to loosen that bolt and it had no Loctite on it as well, as I don’t think it’s common for those nuts to have Loctite on them? But I could be wrong. Also the problem with heating up the bolts that hold the turn signal assemblies is the surrounded by plastic. I did use a soldering iron on the bolt head to heat it up but the heat that actually got to the threads was negligible.

 

[Teddysurf]

I can tell you that my 2020 svartpilen DID have red loctite on the turn signal assembly bolts from the factory, they were hell to get out, snapped an Allen key in half (there was red loctite residue on the ones I removed). One bolt wouldn’t come out at all and I had to basically drill off the head and remove it with pliers. The bolt holes needed tapping to clean them out. I swapped my signals for the European LED versions.

I can tell you that my 2020 svartpilen DID have red loctite on the turn signal assembly bolts from the factory, they were hell to get out, snapped an Allen key in half (there was red loctite residue on the ones I removed). One bolt wouldn’t come out at all and I had to basically drill off the head and remove it with pliers. The bolt holes needed tapping to clean them out. I swapped my signals for the European LED versions.

I can tell you that my 2020 svartpilen DID have red loctite on the turn signal assembly bolts from the factory, they were hell to get out, snapped an Allen key in half (there was red loctite residue on the ones I removed). One bolt wouldn’t come out at all and I had to basically drill off the head and remove it with pliers. The bolt holes needed tapping to clean them out. I swapped

That’s interesting, I know for a fact that they took off the turn signal assemblies. However, maybe they took them off and then reapplied red Loctite because it’s usually there from the factory? Anyway, thank you for letting me know and sorry you had to go through what I went through because I was…so mad. Lol. Blue Loctite is the way to go with something like the turn signal assemblies.

 

[Seattle401]

That’s interesting, I know for a fact that they took off the turn signal assemblies. However, maybe they took them off and then reapplied red Loctite because it’s usually there from the factory? Anyway, thank you for letting me know and sorry you had to go through what I went through because I was…so mad. Lol. Blue Loctite is the way to go with something like the turn signal assemblies.

Yeah, I suspect the tech saw the red loctite residue when they removed the bolts, and just reapplied (I guess that’s what I’d do too if I saw it). But I agree, red loctite for those is crazy. I know the bike is fairly vibrational (don’t notice it personally), but red seems overkill-I guess if I find my turn signal hanging off sometime I’ll know why though FYI: There’s a guy on you tube (‘fastidious restomods’) that has a video showing his struggles with those turn signal bolts too, had to tap them all out as well. Good channel, there’s a specific playlist for the svartpilen (most of which still applies to a vitpilen too).

 

[RobWCanada]

Those turn signal screws do have Loctite on them from the factory. However, I thought it was blue. And it’s not liquid form like you and I use at home, it’s the epoxy impregnated Loctite. So it sticks like glue to the bolts and makes it super difficult to remove. I put a luggage carrier back there so I now have stainless cap screws instead of the trash bolts from bajaj.

@yonsson just fyi you shouldn’t need locktite on the axle bolt if that’s what you’re referring too. It prolly almost came off because nobody bothered to torque it properly. I believe it’s 62 ft-lbs so it’s pretty damn tight and it’s a clamping force outward. I.E. the axle bolts pull the swingarm together and there is outward pressure on the axle. So, I have never Loctite those and it would be a mess. With chain adjustments (especially with the shit chain from bajaj — I have a DID 520 vx3 now…far superior in every way), having Loctite on that bolt or any bolts back there would be a mess and make adjustments much more difficult due to Loctite gumming everything up.

If you’re concerned, torque it properly, get a paint marker, mark the bolt (line on bolt, line on chassis/swingarm) so you can see if the bolt moves just by looking. But chances are it won’t.

I’m not sure if there’s anything better but these are awesome, I even mark my snow/summer tires with these. They actually write on rubber!

24 Posca Paint Markers, 3M Fine Posca Markers with Reversible Tips, Posca Marker Set of Acrylic Paint Pens | Posca Pens for Art Supplies, Fabric Paint, Fabric Markers, Paint Pen, Art Markers https://a.co/d/eU97jKV


Rob

 

[yonsson]

Those turn signal screws do have Loctite on them from the factory. However, I thought it was blue. And it’s not liquid form like you and I use at home, it’s the epoxy impregnated Loctite. So it sticks like glue to the bolts and makes it super difficult to remove. I put a luggage carrier back there so I now have stainless cap screws instead of the trash bolts from bajaj.

@yonsson just fyi you shouldn’t need locktite on the axle bolt if that’s what you’re referring too. It prolly almost came off because nobody bothered to torque it properly. I believe it’s 62 ft-lbs so it’s pretty damn tight and it’s a clamping force outward. I.E. the axle bolts pull the swingarm together and there is outward pressure on the axle. So, I have never Loctite those and it would be a mess. With chain adjustments (especially with the shit chain from bajaj — I have a DID 520 vx3 now…far superior in every way), having Loctite on that bolt or any bolts back there would be a mess and make adjustments much more difficult due to Loctite gumming everything up.

If you’re concerned, torque it properly, get a paint marker, mark the bolt (line on bolt, line on chassis/swingarm) so you can see if the bolt moves just by looking. But chances are it won’t.

I’m not sure if there’s anything better but these are awesome, I even mark my snow/summer tires with these. They actually write on rubber!

24 Posca Paint Markers, 3M Fine Posca Markers with Reversible Tips, Posca Marker Set of Acrylic Paint Pens | Posca Pens for Art Supplies, Fabric Paint, Fabric Markers, Paint Pen, Art Markers https://a.co/d/eU97jKV


Rob

I’m not a mechanic or even close to it. I lube my chain, that’s it. Whatever they missed on my bike was missed at the factory according to the dealer. I don’t know if that’s right or not, but that’s what they said.

 

[RobWCanada]

I’m not a mechanic or even close to it. I lube my chain, that’s it. Whatever they missed on my bike was missed at the factory according to the dealer. I don’t know if that’s right or not, but that’s what they said.

The dealer told you there should be Loctite? Not the case. The service manual doesn’t even call for it as seen by (1), when Loctite is required it’s listed, as seen by the speed sensor screw (2).



Just saying. On with the original topic

 

[yonsson]

The dealer told you there should be Loctite? Not the case. The service manual doesn’t even call for it as seen by (1), when Loctite is required it’s listed, as seen by the speed sensor screw (2).

View attachment 4864

Just saying. On with the original topic

No they didn’t. I was mistaken. My point was that according to the dealer, the factory does the final assembly.

 

[BISavage]

Maybe they confused the pink/purple for the red?
I could see using pink/purple on that sort of stuff like turn signals or something.

 

[Teddysurf]

Those turn signal screws do have Loctite on them from the factory. However, I thought it was blue. And it’s not liquid form like you and I use at home, it’s the epoxy impregnated Loctite. So it sticks like glue to the bolts and makes it super difficult to remove. I put a luggage carrier back there so I now have stainless cap screws instead of the trash bolts from bajaj.

@yonsson just fyi you shouldn’t need locktite on the axle bolt if that’s what you’re referring too. It prolly almost came off because nobody bothered to torque it properly. I believe it’s 62 ft-lbs so it’s pretty damn tight and it’s a clamping force outward. I.E. the axle bolts pull the swingarm together and there is outward pressure on the axle. So, I have never Loctite those and it would be a mess. With chain adjustments (especially with the shit chain from bajaj — I have a DID 520 vx3 now…far superior in every way), having Loctite on that bolt or any bolts back there would be a mess and make adjustments much more difficult due to Loctite gumming everything up.

If you’re concerned, torque it properly, get a paint marker, mark the bolt (line on bolt, line on chassis/swingarm) so you can see if the bolt moves just by looking. But chances are it won’t.

I’m not sure if there’s anything better but these are awesome, I even mark my snow/summer tires with these. They actually write on rubber!

24 Posca Paint Markers, 3M Fine Posca Markers with Reversible Tips, Posca Marker Set of Acrylic Paint Pens | Posca Pens for Art Supplies, Fabric Paint, Fabric Markers, Paint Pen, Art Markers https://a.co/d/eU97jKV


Rob

Thanks for taking the time to let me know they do have some sort of thread locker on them. I actually saw a video at another comment or suggestion, and in the video they battled with the thread locker as well. However, while the bolts were hard to get off in the video, they were nothing like what are you experienced as the torque completely destroyed not only the bolts, but the star bit I used as well. I know for a fact that they had to take off the turn signal assemblies to replace the rear plastic body panels and they just might have use red Loctite because that’s what they had lying around and some sort of thread locker was already on there from the factory. Anyway, thanks again.

 

[Teddysurf]

Maybe they confused the pink/purple for the red?
I could see using pink/purple on that sort of stuff like turn signals or something.

Yeah, I don’t know? All I know is it the torque completely destroyed three of the bolts and the star bit I was using. I ended up having to go buy a bolt extractor and drilled the bolts out and pounded the extractor bit in. It was not fun. Lol

 

[OblivionLord]

On the 401 svart 2023 that I service, the rear turn signal bolts weren't screwed in with loctite. However I have noticed that on this bike and the 390 2022 that I also service, the manufacturer does a horrible job at cleaning the thread holes that they tap into the frame. This feels almost as if you were to use loctite when it's just excess metal within the threads adding to the overall friction. I had to re-tap each hole so the screws can easily go in and out.

I've also noticed the same case with excess metal within a lot of the holes around the bike from the swingarm, hand bar components, fender bolts etc etc. My guess is that Baja motors, who manufacturers the single cylinder ktm bikes, does not have high standards for quality control. Maybe the v2 Bikes made in Austria have higher quality standards than CFmoto and Baja.