GS500F Windscreen Replacement Problem

[zekik64]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a Puig racing screen to replace the stock screen on my 05 GS500F. When removing the old screen, 2 of the 3 plastic screws holding the screen in place snapped in the little rubber "bushings" (apologies if that's the wrong word). I ordered some replacements and they arrived today. When I tighten the screws into the rubber bushings, they don't seem to be tight and they easily pop out rather than staying snug against the windscreen.

Does anyone have any tips on what to do?

Thanks in advance,
Zeki

[profile_deleted]

Are you talking about these things?  My experience is that if you overtighten these, the brass threaded part separates from the rubber and never causes the sleeve to expand (it just slides up and tightens up against the flange).  So maybe yours are overtightened?  If you live in the US you can get replacements at Home Depot for about $1 a piece (search "expansion nuts"), but they wont be metric so you'll need standard hardware for them as well (a panhead machine screw for example)... which you can also get at HD.  An added bonus is that the machine screws are metal so they will be more durable.  If my memory serves the stock ones are plastic??

The other options is that they aren't tight enough.  You need to tighten them enough that the insert causes the rubber sleeve to bulge outward as it's pulled toward the flange... that's what creates the pressure to keep them in place.  Of course overtightening results in... well, see scenario one above... lol.

Hope that helps.

[Bluesmudge]

Most likely the rubber expansion nut cracked and the expansion part fell off. That rubber is 10 or 15 years old at this point and can't take much torque. You will need to replace the rubber expansion nuts.

The other possible problem is the rubber nuts are turning instead of the screw.  You may have to reach around the back and hold the nut until it can expand enough to hold itself tight against the fairing and windscreen.