Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 11, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 11, 2012 I had a little THEFT issue yesterday and need to replace the bolts that hold the rear cowl (5th Gen). Of course the THEFT occurred at the honda dealership, so I'm in luck - right? Well, they want $15+ for each bolt. I know motorcycling ain't cheap, but after a theft in their parking lot, I was a little less than accommodating. After checking online, the part 90116-MBG-000 shows up for many different honda bikes and different years of VFR, many WITH DIFFERENT PRICES. What gives? Can I just locate the cheapest iteration of the same part and order that one? Any spares someone wants to part with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer kgsmotorcycles Posted March 11, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 11, 2012 Those Honda seat cowl bolts are the best to replace with. You could get some screws and maybe a washer from your tool box, easy - but its only second best. The original bolts have a multi purpose role. Holding both plastics together comfortably allowing space for plastics not to break like they can do easily if alternative screws and washers are used. Not forgetting- they securely hold down your luggage straps when needed. They are also expensive here (UK) but are a really specialist sizes and fitment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 12, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 12, 2012 Do I need the one for the specific bike? It seems if you can order by part number if the part number is the same I'd be safe ordering the same part number on the fiche for a different bike? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEBSPEED Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Yes, order the part number you need with the best price you can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 12, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 12, 2012 The more I reflect on my recent theft experience (http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/70460-expensive-security-lesson-theft/), I'm thinking I want something like a Torx head or something to keep my bodywork mine. I don't plan to use the bolts for luggage for quite some time, So I'm thinking of adding just a good 6mm bolt with 10mm allen on one side and torx or something else on the other. Might consider replace on bolt on each of the other plastics as well. It may be overkill, but I'm a little sensitive after getting burned. My cage rims have a special bolt with key, why not plastics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer jeremy77 Posted March 12, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 12, 2012 You could take it a step farther and go security torx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 12, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 12, 2012 You could take it a step farther and go security torx. I'm there. What size security torx would fit the fairing bolts and this cowl Frankenbolt as it is affectionately named on here? I also saw that Honda part #90137-MCA-000 off a Goldwing is $3 and works as a flush mount alternative. I am learning all about shoulder/stripper bolts and an alternative of fitting a 'sleeve' over the threads. Anyone with recommendations, it would be much appreciated. I'm thinking having at least one security bolt for each fairing piece. Of course, these days, idiots may just break it off in frustration. What I really need is a Transformer Pit Bull that'll fit in my tankbag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Even if they got pissed and broke the fairing stealing it, at least you'd have the satisfaction of knowing it wouldn't do them any good either. It's why I put the cable though the mirror hole of my bike cover instead of the bottom loopes, if they take it they'd destroy it(unless they can cut the cable) I had about 3 covers stolen only one cut the cable, but they lost interest with it though the hole. Locks are to make it not easy, etc........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zRoYz Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 The problem is VFR body work is expensive & bottom feeders would rather steal replacements. I don't think security bolts etc are a great idea because bottom feeders tend to smash things when you make it difficult so your risking extra damage you will have to pay to repair. Maybe a vibration alarm which you can just fit the sensor on a switch hot wired to your horn with a lock relay set up to keep sounding if tripped would be better for times when bike left outside a premises your in for a short time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 12, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 12, 2012 I have insurance for vandalism and theft so I guess I'm covered. I just want a deterrent for the casual opportunist. A series thief is going to get what he wants, I just want to make it difficult and increase his frustration and hopefully delay so he gets discovered or caught. If anyone knows the proper size torx bolt I'd need for the two types of fairing bolts on a 5th gen and the Frankenbolt on the seat cowl, it'll save me some time at the hardware store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Really weird that it happened at the dealership. You are talking about the frnaken blts at the rear cowl, right. Are there other Hondas using the other than the VFRs? Could they have fallen off during your ride to the dealership from vibration? I remember losing one on the highway years ago because of that. I replaced mine with the mushroom shaped bolts used on the front faring of my 4th gen with the rubber bushing. the rubber bushings keeps them from loosening up while riding....plus, they look better than the frankenbolts. Beck 95 VFR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 12, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 12, 2012 Really weird that it happened at the dealership. You are talking about the frnaken blts at the rear cowl, right. Are there other Hondas using the other than the VFRs? Could they have fallen off during your ride to the dealership from vibration? I remember losing one on the highway years ago because of that. I replaced mine with the mushroom shaped bolts used on the front faring of my 4th gen with the rubber bushing. the rubber bushings keeps them from loosening up while riding....plus, they look better than the frankenbolts. Beck 95 VFR No I had the cowl and seat off because I was at the dealership fixing a rear turnsignal. The bolts were on the tankbag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Really weird that it happened at the dealership. You are talking about the frnaken blts at the rear cowl, right. Are there other Hondas using the other than the VFRs? Could they have fallen off during your ride to the dealership from vibration? I remember losing one on the highway years ago because of that. I replaced mine with the mushroom shaped bolts used on the front faring of my 4th gen with the rubber bushing. the rubber bushings keeps them from loosening up while riding....plus, they look better than the frankenbolts. Beck 95 VFR No I had the cowl and seat off because I was at the dealership fixing a rear turnsignal. The bolts were on the tankbag. Geeze, some neighborhood that was.......my experience had been most fellow bikers respect each other's gear and helmets when they leave them on the bike at dealerships or bike hangouts....could be some rogue kid passing by and stealing anything for kicks........Surprised he/she did not take your tank bag too...... Beck 95 VFR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 12, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 12, 2012 Did take the tankbag too. It was a customer. It's an industrial area and no one else there. You have to drive there. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&gs_nf=1&tok=yDjrbjS-qfDM7tuA_2bbwQ&cp=7&gs_id=7&xhr=t&rlz=1C1GPCK_enUS456US456&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1680&bih=1058&ion=1&qscrl=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=honda+kawasaki+fremont&fb=1&gl=us&hq=honda+kawasaki&hnear=0x808fbf46b7e8caf7:0x8ada313b89d888d4,Fremont,+CA&cid=0,0,16131313881274864497&ei=tYZeT5jfMYXjiAKz-YyuBA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&sqi=2&ved=0CA4Q_BI&surl=1&safe=active That's a map, but you probably have to zoom in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 12, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 12, 2012 Enough about crazy thefts. I have a whole thread about it http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/70460-expensive-security-lesson-theft/ I want solutions. Anyone know the proper size torx for my solution? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer VtownGT Posted March 13, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 13, 2012 I have a single Sargent seat, so I have room under the cowl to keep some small items. Being concerned about the casual thief, I decided to replace the stock cowl bolts with flush mount bolts from Sears Hardware. I bought some M6x1 threaded screws (I can't remember the length, but I matched the length of the stock bolt's thread area and the un-threaded area up to where the O-ring sits) along with two M6 sized fender washers. I put the washer on first, then the O-ring and screwed it on, making sure not to get too tight that it cracks the plastic. All in all, it cost less than $4.00. While I was there, I also bought a small, individual hex wrench that I will keep hidden on the bike so that I can always get to the storage area. I figure, how many people would have a small hex wrench handy? (I suspect that even fewer would have torx, so I'll keep my eye out for those...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JZH Posted March 14, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 14, 2012 After checking online, the part 90116-MBG-000 shows up for many different honda bikes and different years of VFR, many WITH DIFFERENT PRICES. What gives? Can I just locate the cheapest iteration of the same part and order that one? Any spares someone wants to part with? I had a look at acouple of bikes on Ron Ayers and all that used that part number had the same price, so... Honda part numbers are not complicated: the MBG refers to the pre-VTEC VFR800 and the 90116 refers to the function of the part. All parts with the exact same part number are the same (and should have the same price!) You can replace these specialised fasteners with something else, but it will lose some functionality, IMHO. (Are you going to carry around a security Torx wrench with you everywhere? I can see where that might lead!) Ciao, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted March 15, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 15, 2012 I definitely is a quandry. I'm sure I can find somewhere to stash a torx on the bike and I'll keep one in my riding jacket as a backup. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I need to feel safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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