The infamous buzzing cross brace

[longrider]

Well I purchased my third valk since 1999.  Miled the first two up pretty good and found a 2000 with 8700 original miles.   This one has the buzzing bolt.  Before I tighten this one I just thought I'd run it by those who know. This cross brace has at least 1/16 in of play.  Should I remove the rad and shim. It'll be a long way to try and pull up the frame.  Your thoughts?

Warren

[Challenger]

yes! There is a pretty good chance of breaking the bolt trying to draw the frame that far.

[Chrisj CMA]

NAW, just tighten it slowly, if the gap decreases continue, if it doesn't don't way over tighten...that bolt can take a lot before it breaks.

[Valkpilot]

I'm in another camp from those who prefer to tighten the bolt and  try and squeeze the frame members together.

I prefer to squirt some RTV silicone in the the tube and in the cradles that hold the tube, then insert and tighten the bolt with a reasonable amount of torque.

[Jess from VA]

If you can get in there, adding a washer inside the frame next to the long spacer will do it too.

I torqued mine down and it lasted a while, then I cranked it down with everything I had and it never came back (I did it through the pods) (and you don't have to put a wrench on the other side, which takes a helper).   

[DK]

I put some Gorilla glue on the bolt, wetted it & pushed it thru the spacer. It expands enough to preclude ever buzzing again.

I tightened it to 80 ft./pds. gradually over three rides.

Has been ok for over a year.

Dan

[longrider]

I think I"ll ride it for a week or so and just take the time to pull the rad and get in there and shim it.  No big deal.  Funny I didn't notice it until after I ran the bike as I pulled the rad to install the temp sender when I moved the gauges over..  Took myself and a friend four days to do the change over of all of the parts (chrome, rear end service, fenders etc) from the old valk.  36 items in all.  Progressive fronts took the most time to change over

[Hooter]

I think    I used a thin fender shim to take up the space on my first Valk instead of a washer??? Again, I think thats what I did? You can crank that with no problem until it squeaks.

[al v]

It makes a really loud noise when you over tighten it... siliconed the second one. Then figured out the buzz was coming from the baker air wings.