Author Topic: Vstrom front fairing keeps unclipping (Read 2489 times)

jjbrunton · « **on:** July 25, 2017, 09:17:04 »

I'm having an issue with the coloured front fairing unclipping constantly from the grey plastic center (I've attached an image of the area that I'm talking about).

It seems like a crappy design that the side fairing slides into some latches and there's some velcro inside the fairing itself.

Is there a way to fix this?

Fat Rat · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2017, 09:42:58 »

You realise you have a bolt missing right?

jjbrunton · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2017, 10:02:49 »

I've replaced that, it's the only picture I have of that area of the bike on me

AlanT · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2017, 11:09:23 »

Are you referring to this 'coloured' part?
If so, there are 2 fixing screws to hold it on. One is arrowed, the other is further back along the lower edge.

jjbrunton · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:18:43 »

Those are held in fine it's the clip at the top of that piece that isn't keeping latched (the part where the coloured part latches to the grey part at the top).

It's hard to explain so I'll try and get a pic if that isn't clear enough.

jjbrunton · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:21:52 »

Added a pic to give some clarity.

Fat Rat · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:23:27 »

The coloured panel hooks in at the top and is also located in the middle and also by velcro. If you take it off the reassembly should be obvious.

Remove the bolts and then carefully but firmly pull the panel slightly up and back (towards the rear of the bike.

Fat Rat · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:25:13 »

Hopefully one of the hook/clips on the top of your panel isn't broken off.

AlanT · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:32:32 »

Just be careful when removing it. It comes off my moving it backwards and upwards (this is important to release the plastic tongue from the bracket on the tank). Don't be tempted to pull it sideways as that will break the tongue.

jjbrunton · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:35:12 »

Right so whoever took the fairing off on its last job hasn't hooked it back in, I can see the part that you mean and it makes sense that part would keep it closer to the tank

New issue: I can't get the fairing off as this bolt is too tight/ has been rounded slightly I'm guessing by the same person who did the fairing.

AlanT · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:45:31 »

Liberal amounts of penetrating fluid, a decent allen key and plenty of patience.

jjbrunton · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:53:51 »

I'm not sure there's enough left to put enough force behind it. I'll give it a go though.

Open to other ideas if I can't get it out via unscrewing.

Fat Rat · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:56:58 »

If the copious amounts of penetrating oil doesn't work. you can either try to hammer a torx bit in there or otherwise use a Dremel to cut a slot and use a flat screwdriver.

AlanT · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2017, 13:01:31 »

It's important to use proper penetrating fluid (rather than something like WD40 which isn't) and give it time to work. Light tapping of the tool to help it seat in the socket should be OK, but don't go mad.

jjbrunton · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2017, 13:03:23 »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KPUBO28/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

WD40 appear to do a penetrating fluid? I'm also unsure how I'd be able to even get the fluid into the bolt as they are rounded to cover the bolt thread.

Thanks for the tip on the torx bit, I don't have a dremel so I'd need to source one.

Any ideas what size bolts these are?

AlanT · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2017, 13:07:37 »

I believe that particular screw is M5 x 13mm.

That stuff looks like penetrating fluid. The 'original' WD40 is a water displacer.

Rich:-) · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2017, 14:07:36 »

I'd tackle that with a hammer & centre punch.
Punch a dimple towards the edge of that bolt head - say 4 or 5 hits. Then angle the punch (whilst in that dimple) in the direction to undo the bolt..., and strike it again.

evo · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2017, 18:26:10 »

try putting a elastic band between the screwdriver and the screw it might just give enough grip to undo the screw

Loz · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2017, 19:49:44 »

Plusgas penetrating fluid, and as Fatrat said earlier, torx bit or failing that, dremmel a slot in the head so it can be removed by screw driver.

Hugh Mungus · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2017, 22:25:29 »

Try this first. It actually works!

Quote from: evo on July 25, 2017, 18:26:10

try putting a elastic band between the screwdriver and the screw it might just give enough grip to undo the screw

I found a Torx bit will work (I have one that's rounded off too) No need to hammer it in if you have a good selection of Torx bits to choose from (if you do need to hammer, do it carefully) - Probably have to angle the bit in the bolt slightly to get a little more grip.