Trike parts falling off!

[TwoBye]

OK, not too sure why but here of late I've had two components fall off and I can't figure out why. First, the trim panel behind the front fork on the fender on the right hand side. HOW MUCH?? $132.00!!! Wow. OK, fixed it, got the new one and it seems to be tight again. Today the SAME ONE on the left hand side fell off while running down the road. What the [bleep] is going on? I've ridden Wings for years and have never had anything just 'fall off' before. I feel no vibrations or anything while riding. In fact, I can take both hands off the bar with the cruise set on 65 or so and nothing happens, nada, zip zero.

So what do you guys think? I had them both removed over the past winter to service the front end so perhaps I didn't get them back on tight?? I'm a big boy, I can take it if its all my fault.

Your opinions or comments welcomed.

[rhino 2]

So what do you guys think? I had them both removed over the past winter to service the front end so perhaps I didn't get them back on tight?? I'm a big boy, I can take it if its all my fault.

Your opinions or comments welcomed.

Next time you might want to put a little Loc-tite on the fasteners..

[TwoBye]

No place to put Loctite, they just snap into a grommet. I wish their was a place to put Loctite (or some such product).

[Solidbob]

Maybe the grommets have gotten old & brittle like me..... try replacing them with new ones and do not lube them, that's speeds their deteration... if the 1500 uses the same type grommets as the 1800 I put a little dab of silicone grease lube to help the panels push in and pull back out !!! Silicone Grease Lube is good for rubber synthetic or real rubber, use it on Diving Equipt O - Rings... Good Luck...

[TwoBye]

Maybe the grommets have gotten old & brittle like me..... try replacing them with new ones and do not lube them, that's speeds their deteration... if the 1500 uses the same type grommets as the 1800 I put a little dab of silicone grease lube to help the panels push in and pull back out !!! Silicone Grease Lube is good for rubber synthetic or real rubber, use it on Diving Equipt O - Rings... Good Luck...

Hmmm, replace the grommets huh. Not a bad idea Solidbob, I may use that.

[Papa Zook]

The GL1500s are great bikes but the rubber and plastics need some attention. The grommets do need to be replaced periodically and many GL1500 riders I know keep a tube of silicone glue on board to encourage parts to hang on because the "snap together" parts tend to warp a bit with age. That's just the nature of plastic parts.

[John Luciano]

I had that problem with the side covers. I got me all new grommets. Also a little dishwashing liquid or some say spit helps them go on and then dries and is sticky. If any panel goes on easy then the grommet is bad. They should be hard to press on and pull off.

[Ayatolla of Rockin' Rolla]

Brethern,
A few years ago I added these" panel keepers" to my 1500 to keep those pop on panels from taking flight on the highway!

Purchased them from Rudy's products,great guy to deal with by the way & reasonably priced. Heres the Link:

http://rudysproducts.com/Store/RPD.html

[skuuter]

I "ALWAYS" replace Grommets with New Ones if I work on something that requires them, same for plastic rivets and push pins....just good "Insurance".......

[TwoBye]

Brethern,
A few years ago I added these" panel keepers" to my 1500 to keep those pop on panels from taking flight on the highway!

Purchased them from Rudy's products,great guy to deal with by the way & reasonably priced. Heres the Link:

http://rudysproducts.com/Store/RPD.html

YO, Ayatolla, now THAT is worth bookmarking. Geat find sir and Thank You! Some might say its a little pricey for what they are but not if you consider the pice of the part you're attaching.

[skuuter]

"SHOW CHROME" Company sells a bag of assorted grommets for Gold Wings.....really reasonably priced.....

[cjmitch]

Do NOT PUT ANY grease on them, If they deteriorate then get new ones. I use silicon grease on my left panel, and had it not been for my leg on the foot pegs, I would have been sans a panel, and about 200.00 bucks.

DO NOT LUBRICATE THE SIDE PANEL GROMMETS.

[SMSgt]

I keep a tube of KY jelly in my shop and use it to help the little buggers go together easier. It dries and doesn't hurt the grommet. I use it while doing car work because it helps put car parts together as well as it does on motorcycles.

[lonzoair]

Do NOT PUT ANY grease on them, If they deteriorate then get new ones. I use silicon grease on my left panel, and had it not been for my leg on the foot pegs, I would have been sans a panel, and about 200.00 bucks.

DO NOT LUBRICATE THE SIDE PANEL GROMMETS.

I agree they will come off easily. Many have been lost this way and they costs about $350 for the side panel.