New windshield

[hank43]

Someone gave me a new windshield for my '09 voyager, and with the El Nino monsoons upon us I decided yesterday to install same. It seemed like a simple task, just remove some stainless screws across the chrome strip of the windshield, and remove old, and install the new.

when removing the last screw, I heard something fall down inside the fairing....uh-oh! Yup, in their infinite wisdom, the engineers at Kawasaki decided to use "well-Nuts", an evil little device whereby a brass threaded insert is molded inside of a rubber grommet. This is then inserted into a hole in a metal bracket. Why they did not use a nut welded onto the bracket, or a rubber coated Tinnerman nuts as they did elsewhere on the windshield assembly, I don't know. The fairing is pretty well sealed up, so the well-nut was safely captured inside, but getting at it required removing the speaker on the right side, and the speaker can, where I could see but not reach the little critter. Removing the glove box did the trick though, at last the nut was mine! Next, I needed a special tool to re-insert the nut into the bracket. I have one of those special tools, it's attached to my wife's hand. In only 2 tries, we were able to install the nut, and the windshield. Again, the same well nut fell out on installation of the last screw, but this time, I'm an expert at retrieving it. The windshield looks great, and as soon as the monsoons are over, I'll try it out.
These are great bikes, but sometimes I wonder about the engineering on simple fasteners such as the well-nuts, and those nasty little pop up fasteners used in the trunk, and the vents in the lowers. Wouldn't a more conventional fastener have worked just as well?

[Mr Clean]

Ya traveler those little well nuts are my nemesis also. Don't complain about the wet weather, you folks need it!

[hank43]

Ya traveler those little well nuts are my nemesis also. Don't complain about the wet weather, you folks need it!

Strangely enough, I heard that the mountain areas near my town have received 138% of the average normal snow pack, and the season is just starting. Ski slope owners are very happy, since they had next to none last year!

http://www.kcra.com/news/local-news/new ... y/37193430" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[David (N. Alabama)]

The trick with the well nuts is to get the screw gently inserted in the hole so that it doesn't push the well nut through. I did it one time on the Voyager and am constantly changing between the 3 shields depending on weather.

[hank43]

The trick with the well nuts is to get the screw gently inserted in the hole so that it doesn't push the well nut through. I did it one time on the Voyager and am constantly changing between the 3 shields depending on weather.

Yeah, I know that now David, but what I can't understand is why the used rubber coated tinnerman nuts in the center, and well nuts on the edges.... Oh well, now I know!

hank43

[BigDog1700]

Yes, I felt your pain! I was changing windshield and lost the nut to inside cowling. Had to remove entire fairing to get to it. Since it was off i decided to do lamps and stereo work also.

[hank43]

Yes, I felt your pain! I was changing windshield and lost the nut to inside cowling. Had to remove entire fairing to get to it. Since it was off i decided to do lamps and stereo work also.

See? That's what I mean. In an area where a nut is BOUND by the laws of gravity, to fall into something that you can't reach, they use those goofy well nuts, when a perfectly fine tinnerman nut would work so much better!\

I need some dry weather, so I can ride somewhere.

hank43