touring windscreen bolts lost

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:26 pm

I finally got a roadster--a beautiful Peidmont red 2004 used--5k miles--that appears pretty damn flawless.
It came with a touring windscreen and Laminar Lip. Today I noticed that the two retaining bolts on the left were missing--bolt, black retaining washer, molly -all of it.

I checked the right side and they were kind of loose. I took the screen off, but now have to find replacemnt bolts to re secure.

Is this a problem with the screens? Any quick fix? Are the bolts, etc ava separately?

Any advice appreciated

John

The Kurch Man · Post by **The Kurch Man** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:40 pm

I had a similar issue with a BMW OE screen - lost the entire nut/washer on the freeway and all I had was a hole where it went on the windshield. From what I understand, BMW does not sell the nut/washer replacements (at least they did not at the time) - they wanted you to purchase a hardware kit. My local dealer got his hands on some and gave me a couple. The dealer said it is an issue. As for the nut/washers - I now checkand snug them up fairly freqently just to avoid a repeat.

greer · Post by **greer** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:37 pm

You can get them from your dealer in sets of two for about $25 I think; ridiculously expensive. Lowes and TSC sell the wellnuts if you can figure out a bolt and washer system for the holes in the shield. It may be easier just to call a dealer and lay down the money. Sarah

Post by **cricman** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:20 am

As was mentioned, depending on your local Lowe's or Home Depot hardware selection, you can find replacement parts. At least on my bike, the stock and subsequent replacement hardware are SAE thread and not metric! 10-32 thread. I found some nice stainless hardware in 10-32 and replaced everything and put together a roadside replacement kit, including 4 sets of well nuts, rubber washers, button socket cap screws, and thick flat stainless washers to replace the large black bits. So far, no problems. I too found the $25 kit to be a bit much. If I needed the whole kit, then it would probably be because I lost my entire screen!

good luck,

cricman

Post by **baltm604** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:00 pm

also check with any local metric/japanese bike dealers. similar well nuts are used to hold body parts for sport bikes.

Bill

Post by **Wayno28** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:43 pm

If I understand you correctly the part # is 9999 0000 586
is called: Hardware kit
Comes with 2 beveled head bolts
2 beveled washers
2 washers w/glue on one side
2 Well nuts

Cost 24.00 at my dealer

Post by **Biff's R** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:47 pm

One of my local dealers, was able to get some of the longer wellnuts as replacements for the original short wellnuts without ordering the whole kit.

In the meantime, you can get a fender washer, rubber gasket to go underneath, and a wellnut from your local hardware store. about $3.00 total, but looks a little goofy.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:18 am

I know it may be heresy to say this, but this appears to be a bad design. Why not a thru and thru bolt with rubber bushing?
Has anyone drilled thru the bracket to do that?

John

Post by **baltm604** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:08 pm

The design itself is not bad. The idea is that in an accident the windshield would break loose and not decapitate you.

The issue is both the wellnuts and the brackets.

The touring screen on my 2003r came loose 3 times in the first 7500mi. After calling bmw usa to no avail, my dealer replaced the brackets with newer brackets under warranty. There apparently was a design change inside the well (little ridges were added I think).

In 8000mi since I have removed the shield to fill the brake and clutch fluid, as well as install rcu light brackets, and the welll nuts have held without any issues.

Bill

Post by **Boxer** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:18 pm

Mine (wellnuts) haven't budged in 2 1/2 years since I scored the inside of the wells with a rattail file before assembling.

The windshield safety breakaway feature indeed works. I saw it (afterward) with JB44's bike when he hit the guardrail on the Cherahala Skyway. I own a scraped touring shield that another rider sold me after it was replaced with a brand new one by insurance. It broke away and I'm using it, scratched but intact today. He lost the left side brackets and hardware however.

The Kurch Man · Post by **The Kurch Man** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:36 pm

I did the well nuts thing myself with a type of plug at a local hardware that had the rubber and screw mechanism all in one - it did look goofy but it was a quick fix that I needed at the time.

Not that it changes anything, but National Cycle does make the windshield and I tried to approach them directly for some hardware and to explain the issue (since they are in the midwest). Turns out they don't make the hardware...the design is BMW on the hardware. I guess you can't win them all, and this hardware design is proof of that.

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:38 pm

My "02" came with the touring screen, and I had a He-- of a time keeping it on, if I remember correctly i recieved a recall notice concerning the length of the wellnuts, Anyway the dealer sent me set of wellnuts that were just a little longer, and iI have not had a problem since. Den

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:41 pm

Here's what I did. I found the well-nut, washer and screws at my local dealer--Hebert Cycles in Baton Rouge. My bracket IS the new design with the ridges and the long well-nut. I cleaned the socket with rubbing alcohol and then applied a little contact cement inside and reassembled. I think it would still break-away in a crash-I didn't put that much cement-just enough for some traction. We'll see.
Thanks for all the input.

BTW, I can definitely rec Hebert Cycles. Very nice people, good inventory, good prices.

John