Loctite...Red or Blue?

[Tenorman]

Hello all,

I'm just about ready to finish the gear swap of my xs1100lg...

I know that I should use a bit of Loctite in the bearing bolts (T30 Torx). Is there anywhere else that I should use it?

Should I use the Red or the Blue Loctite?

Thanks,

Tenorman

[MPittma100]

Thread Locker

I am a firm believer in using the "red". Some say that you will never get something back apart if you use red. That is not true. Use red, use it sparingly, and clean all threads involved. You use Locktite so your project will stay together. Lots of vibration on these bikes. Blue is a bit less of a bond against vibration. Use Locktite where ever you see a problem of a fastener getting loose. If you have a locknut or lock washer, Locktite here may be overkill.

Mike

[jwhughes3]

I am not as fervent a believer as Mike. The factory did not use ANY locktite on those bolts and they were in place when you took them out. I think red on anything but a life altering mission-critical bolt is overkill where it was not used and the blue is extra insurance with small chance of stripping them out next time.

But either is better than none!

And as Mike stated, clean the threads first for a good bond.

John

[TopCatGr58]

Hey John,

Sorry, but Yamaha DID use locktite on those 3 torx bolts/screws on the countershaft/bearing/oil cover! And the manual specifies to use it when reassembling. Those screws only hold that in place in a constant oil splash environment and under lots of vibration with the countershaft gears.

Another place to use BLUE locktite would/could be the clutch basket/star plate bolts. Also the large bolt on the other end of the countershaft that is to be torqued to ~51 ft/lbs that sits behind the clutch basket, folks have reported that it has loosened and chewed up or got chewed up against the clutch basket/gear teeth!

T.C.

[MPittma100]

Locktite

If you ever take the cam gear bolts out, I would strongly recommend red on those when reassembling.

Mike

[BA80]

I am not as fervent a believer as Mike. The factory did not use ANY locktite on those bolts and they were in place when you took them out. I think red on anything but a life altering mission-critical bolt is overkill where it was not used and the blue is extra insurance with small chance of stripping them out next time.

But either is better than none!

And as Mike stated, clean the threads first for a good bond.

John

You can sit there and type that with a straight face after the oil pump bolt we found laying on the oil pan John?

I use red on those, the big bolt in the drive gear shaft and any other bolt that I've read about coming loose and causing damage internally.

[s63921c]

red or blue

I just thought I'd chime in. My experience with blue Loctite is that it is more difficult to remove bolts with it on than red Loctite. A little heat on the bolt and it comes out with the blue and may come off without it just harder than red Loctite. That said, blue Loctite is what Chrysler uses in their transmissions,never red which tells me it is best suited for this type of application. I know they're not motorcycles,but it's what I work on. If it was mine, I'd use blue and hope I never have to mess with it again. Blue will hold if used on clean threads.
Tracy

[BA80]

Chrysler has been bought and sold several times over the last couple of decades. That should tell you something also.

[jwhughes3]

That oil pump bolt was not life critical obviously

NASA stuff they probably need Red to do everything.

John

[motoman]

I just thought I'd chime in. My experience with blue Loctite is that it is more difficult to remove bolts with it on than red Loctite. A little heat on the bolt and it comes out with the blue and may come off without it just harder than red Loctite. That said, blue Loctite is what Chrysler uses in their transmissions,never red which tells me it is best suited for this type of application. I know they're not motorcycles,but it's what I work on. If it was mine, I'd use blue and hope I never have to mess with it again. Blue will hold if used on clean threads.
Tracy

Hmmm........the red I've used is for more permanent applications, with heat needed for removal. The blue is less permanent for easy removal,least always has been the last several decades i've used it, unless that's changed.

[BA80]

That oil pump bolt was not life critical obviously

NASA stuff they probably need Red to do everything.

John

Considering there are only 3........................