Loose lug nuts

[fallingpines]

Maybe this is very odd, however I as riding today about ready to get onto the highway when I noticed a wobble on my R1150R. I pulled over thinking it was a flat, however the rear wheel was loose, all the nuts out about 2+ turns. The odd part is that the last time I had the rear wheel off was 6 months and about 7000 miles ago when I last changed the tire. Riding included a packed down across the country 2+ week road trip.

So, is it likely that the lugs came loose on their own after that many miles, or perhaps someone was messing with my bike?

[BoxerSteve]

If they were properly torqued they should not come loose by themselves.

Does someone have it in for you? Large life insurance policy perhaps?

[Dr. Strangelove]

Those rear lugs are torqued to 105? 110? newton meters, something really tight.

You don't lube your threads, do you?

I would have to say someone messing with your bike, but, man, that's a lot of trouble to go through.

You are not the first on this forum to report this type of mishap, though, though your circumstances are unique. A former forum member had just picked up his bike from service (replaced a rear tire) and the same thing happened, but the service guys failed to torque the rear properly.

Another weird one is the big nut at the front of the telelever that connects to the front fork. That one was once on this forum reported to loosen, at 80mph. The forum member lived to tell of it.
John

[R1150Rclean]

So, is it likely that the lugs came loose on their own after that many miles, or perhaps someone was messing with my bike?

If they were clean (no rust/oil) and dry when you torqued them to the correct torque with an accurate torque wrench in a stepped alternating/crosswise pattern (so you did not torque the first one to 105 Nm, and then the next, but torqued each to 50, then 80, then finally to 105 Nm, then they should not come loose period. Seems like a lot of work but then it is the rear tire!

[Dr. Strangelove]

To be clear, when I said it seems like a lot of trouble to go through, I meant for someone messing with your bike.

Yes, the torqueing sequence is important. Safety demands it must be done correctly.

[fallingpines]

Thanks for the feedback. I have since removed my lugs, cleaned them up and inspected them. No elongation that I can notice. cleaned out the threaded holes, and criss cross torqued in stages up to 77 lbs. Also, I have chained a watch dog to my bike at night, smudged and sent my ex in-progress flowers. I feel a little more secure.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Is 77 foot lbs the same as 110 newton meters?
That's the only way I've seen that torque expressed.
And you should bring it up to that in stages.

[Dr. Strangelove]

It is
77 = 105