Is yours too loose?

03-23-2008, 11:15 AM

One of the things that needs checking on every new Vulcan is the drain plug under the radiator. If you've never checked yours, go take a 14 mm wrench and give it a little twist. (Easy now! It's a thin radiator!) I'll bet yours was pretty loose, huh?

Everyone who comes over here to show me their new Nomad gets theirs checked for free, and the dang things are always very loose right from the factory. They have a rubber gasket to seal them, so be careful not to over-tighten. You'll rip the rubber and then it will leak. But go try this and I think you'll agree that it was loose enough to scare you into tightening it some more.

The manual says 65 in-lb (which is about 5 1/2 ft-lb) and I know mine was nowhere close to that. I didn't throw a torque wrench on it either. I just snugged it up 'til it felt right. Feel free to use a torque wrench, but don't expect to get a valid reading from something like this, having a rubber gasket, being lubricated by coolant, and having such a low value to boot.

Do expect it to be loose though.

Yellow Jacket · 03-23-2008, 11:38 AM

Loose and seeping fluid. Thanks for the heads up!

ponch · 03-23-2008, 11:48 AM

I haven't checked yet, but I will. TIme to change the oil anyway.

Quote:

One of the things that needs checking on every new Vulcan is the drain plug under the radiator. If you've never checked yours, go take a 14 mm wrench and give it a little twist. (Easy now! It's a thin radiator!) I'll bet yours was pretty loose, huh?

Everyone who comes over here to show me their new Nomad gets theirs checked for free, and the dang things are always very loose right from the factory. They have a rubber gasket to seal them, so be careful not to over-tighten. You'll rip the rubber and then it will leak. But go try this and I think you'll agree that it was loose enough to scare you into tightening it some more.

The manual says 65 in-lb (which is about 5 1/2 ft-lb) and I know mine was nowhere close to that. I didn't throw a torque wrench on it either. I just snugged it up 'til it felt right. Feel free to use a torque wrench, but don't expect to get a valid reading from something like this, having a rubber gasket, being lubricated by coolant, and having such a low value to boot.

Do expect it to be loose though.

03-23-2008, 01:39 PM

Thanks. Even though mine was tight I appreciate the heads up. Keep all the advice comming!

I remember when I first bought my nomad Gadget emailed me and told me to look on the left side of the bike under the tank at the spark plug wire. Sure enough the choke knob was still rubber banded to it

Todd · 03-23-2008, 01:57 PM

Mines good...I'd be real careful....if you go "super-stud-backyard-motorcycle-mechanic" you may cause a leak vs. preventing one by cranking it down super tight...take Cads advice...just needs to be snug.

03-23-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Thanks. Even though mine was tight I appreciate the heads up. Keep all the advice comming!

I remember when I first bought my nomad Gadget emailed me and told me to look on the left side of the bike under the tank at the spark plug wire. Sure enough the choke knob was still rubber banded to it

HehHehHeh...

My dealer managed to get that mounted, but he had the handlebars on crooked, and they overtightened almost every bolt they had to put on. Galled the threads on some so badly I had to replace them. fortunately none snapped. They also left off the brake hose grommets.

cactusjack · 03-23-2008, 03:21 PM

Checked mine and yup, it was loose - although not leaking . Snugged it up a couple of turns. Thanks for the heads up!

mrfuni · 03-23-2008, 03:43 PM

never checked it...never a leak..ain't broke...Don't fix it!

oldbiker · 03-23-2008, 04:09 PM

Really loose, but not leaking and I've got just over a 1000 miles on it. Thanks for the tip.

dogdoc · 03-23-2008, 04:48 PM

+1 Joe

**Idaho** · 03-23-2008, 04:50 PM

Mine was perfect. At least now I know where that is located.

I have not had a single problem with anything leaking, dripping or falling off of this bike. I take that to mean that the dealer who put it together did a great job.

ells · 03-23-2008, 06:01 PM

Mine took about 3/4 of a turn to snug, definitely was loose, what I'd call "broke".

blowndodge · 03-23-2008, 07:47 PM

Sh*t I guess I should check mine...

texasfisherdude · 03-23-2008, 08:20 PM

Yup loose took 1/2 turn to snug up

redeye · 03-23-2008, 08:26 PM

Mine was snug & took less than 1/4 turn, more like 49 degrees out of 360, It could have been 56 degrees but I didn't check that close, but it did turn when I applied pressure to the wrench, not much tho...-Rich

03-23-2008, 11:15 AM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	Is yours too loose? One of the things that needs checking on every new Vulcan is the drain plug under the radiator. If you've never checked yours, go take a 14 mm wrench and give it a little twist. (Easy now! It's a thin radiator!) I'll bet yours was pretty loose, huh? Everyone who comes over here to show me their new Nomad gets theirs checked for free, and the dang things are always very loose right from the factory. They have a rubber gasket to seal them, so be careful not to over-tighten. You'll rip the rubber and then it will leak. But go try this and I think you'll agree that it was loose enough to scare you into tightening it some more. The manual says 65 in-lb (which is about 5 1/2 ft-lb) and I know mine was nowhere close to that. I didn't throw a torque wrench on it either. I just snugged it up 'til it felt right. Feel free to use a torque wrench, but don't expect to get a valid reading from something like this, having a rubber gasket, being lubricated by coolant, and having such a low value to boot. Do expect it to be loose though. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-23-2008, 11:38 AM	#2
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Is yours too loose? Loose and seeping fluid. Thanks for the heads up! __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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03-23-2008, 01:39 PM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	Is yours too loose? Thanks. Even though mine was tight I appreciate the heads up. Keep all the advice comming! I remember when I first bought my nomad Gadget emailed me and told me to look on the left side of the bike under the tank at the spark plug wire. Sure enough the choke knob was still rubber banded to it
	0

03-23-2008, 01:57 PM	#5
Todd Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,915	Is yours too loose? Mines good...I'd be real careful....if you go "super-stud-backyard-motorcycle-mechanic" you may cause a leak vs. preventing one by cranking it down super tight...take Cads advice...just needs to be snug. __________________ Todd Frazier VBA #0003 VBA National Leader-USA Operations/Garage Moderator - RETIRED 2006 Black Nomad since she was born Greensboro, NC Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-23-2008, 03:21 PM	#7
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Is yours too loose? Checked mine and yup, it was loose - although not leaking . Snugged it up a couple of turns. Thanks for the heads up! __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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03-23-2008, 03:43 PM	#8
mrfuni Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Naples Florida Posts: 1,301	Is yours too loose? never checked it...never a leak..ain't broke...Don't fix it!
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03-23-2008, 04:09 PM	#9
oldbiker Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: la Fayette, Ga Posts: 472	Is yours too loose? Really loose, but not leaking and I've got just over a 1000 miles on it. Thanks for the tip.
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03-23-2008, 04:48 PM	#10
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Is yours too loose? +1 Joe
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03-23-2008, 04:50 PM	#11
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Is yours too loose? Mine was perfect. At least now I know where that is located. I have not had a single problem with anything leaking, dripping or falling off of this bike. I take that to mean that the dealer who put it together did a great job. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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03-23-2008, 06:01 PM	#12
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	Is yours too loose? Mine took about 3/4 of a turn to snug, definitely was loose, what I'd call "broke".
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03-23-2008, 07:47 PM	#13
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Is yours too loose? Sht I guess I should check mine... __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World* "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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03-23-2008, 08:20 PM	#14
texasfisherdude Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dickinson Texas Posts: 252	Is yours too loose? Yup loose took 1/2 turn to snug up
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03-23-2008, 08:26 PM	#15
redeye Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rocklin California Posts: 777	Is yours too loose? Mine was snug & took less than 1/4 turn, more like 49 degrees out of 360, It could have been 56 degrees but I didn't check that close, but it did turn when I applied pressure to the wrench, not much tho...-Rich
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