Brass Fairing Inserts (pics)

J

Jesse D

New member
I have always used an inch pound torque wrench on these, but one came loose and wouldn't tighten up. I thought I would find striped threads but what it does is break loose from the plastic.

The repair insert is threaded on the inside and on the outside. 1/4x20 inside...3/8x16 outside. It is made to cut its own threads into the plastic when you thread it in.

I went ahead and used a bottoming tap to cut the first few threads in the plastic to make sure it was going in nice and stright.

I used a 1/4" bolt with two nut locked in place as a driver to finish the install.

Make sure the slotted end of the repair bushing goes into the plastic first.
Turn it in untill it is sticking out the same distance as the others two.

In the pictures the old bushing is on the left side and the new bushing on the right.
This is a cheap and easy repair.
 
Nice of you to go to the trouble to take all those photos and post your procedure, because I need to do the same thing some time soon. Thanks.
 
I've already replaced all three of the threaded inserts for the windshield.

I just used the same screw for the windshield and used it to drive the insert in. No problems so far with the replacements.

$1.95 a piece at local dealer. Need to pick up a few more and throw them in the saddle bag just in case.
 
HJ, great timing; had to replace one today for the first time.

A tech at the dealership told me if the slotted end is used with a screwdriver, it almost always happens that some of the threads are lost due to the force exerted by the screwdriver blade causing the top edge to separate.

Your method is actually the reverse of HD's intended installation; and works better IMO; at least it did for me.

Thanks.

Carl
 
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