Captive fasteners

[REVERUP]

Been some of you expressing wanting the Gas Gas factory to add captive fasteners in crucial spots. I also think it's a good idea.
While working on my 2011, I found that at least now the bottom of the sub frame mounts with captive fasteners. Long gone is trying to squeeze in between the swing arm and sub frame to get the nut started on the back of the bolt. I know at least up till 2008 you had to work a little at getting that nut on, not sure about the 09 or 10 years.

Roscoe

 

[roostafish]

!Que Milagra!!! Haleluiah! That is probably the most removed, biggest pain in the butt on the whole bike!

 

[PEB]

I have never found the lack of them to be that big of deal. Having said that my new used frame is as we speak having skidplate and radiator guard mounts added.

 

[REVERUP]

I too found that to be one area that it was helpful to not have to get a nut on the back of a bolt cause of the limited space.
I use to have to use a pair of needle nose pliers to hold the nut in place while placing bolt through sub frame threading into nut. Sometimes this would be done first try, sometimes not. I remember grumbling about this in the past.
I'm sure most of you remove these bottom bolts and loosen the top sub frame bolts leaving the nuts on and loosen the carb boot to flip the sub frame back and out of the way to remove the shock.

So not having to waste time getting the nut threaded on the back in the tight quarters is great. Nice upgrade in wrenching.

Roscoe

 

[pj7]

I'm seriously considering welding captive nuts on the subframe mounts, top shock mount, and engine mounts on my 05. And maybe standardizing fastener sizes a little bit too, I think 9 & 11mm are the only sizes between 8 to 19mm that I don't use on it.

 

[GMP]

It sucks when you have to do it (subframe bolts) but you really don't do it that much do you? It would be a nice relatively easy upgrade if your keeping the bike though. Then do a nice new powder coat. First thing I weld to a frame will be skidplate hardware.

 

[roostafish]

Skidplate hardware is a good idea. I may actually do that. While I'm at it, I'll tack those infernal nuts on the strange mount.

It's done often enough to be a bother. Now that my shock us set up how I want it, it won't be off for a while, but it would be nice to be like every other bike on the planet and not have to worry about those nuts.

 

[REVERUP]

Took a couple photos of the captive fasteners on my 2011 while removing the suspension to drop by Les's tomorrow. These great improvements make wrenching that much more pleasant. New heavy guy springs and some of Les's magic will soon transform my ride to fit me personally. I feel spoiled having Les so close by.

Lower sub frame

top shock mount

wow what happened to my new bike.

 

[gasgasman]

Lot easier to pull the pipe and the linkage dog bone to get the shock off.

 

[REVERUP]

Says you. That is a struggle for me to get out that way and I just scratch everything up in the attempt, not to mention putting the linkage back together with those dang washers is a PITA.
This is not hard at all, very simple actually. Had to grease swing arm pivot anyway and it also made pulling carb for jetting at the same time a snap.

 

[pj7]

Welding captive nuts on my '05 frame and getting ready for black powercoat now. I sure do like the looks of the new frames....

 

[REVERUP]

Welding captive nuts on my '05 frame and getting ready for black powercoat now. I sure do like the looks of the new frames....

Cool, looking good! Snap a shot when you got it all powder coated and put back together.

Roscoe