So I've noticed since I bought the bike a rattle in the front, somewhere near the bottom of the wheel. After further inspection I noticed that the front fender was being held on by only one screw, and the others were completely missing. Could vibration have removed them?  I tried to remove the remaining screw (because I want to paint the fender) but stripped it in the process. Can I use a screw extractor on that one? It's a 6x12 hex.

sounds like vibration rattled out the other ones.  you could leave the last one and replace the others.  there is no chance of messing anything up worse that way, but that would not let you paint the fender.  If you really want to get it out soak it with penetrating oil first then try the extractor.  if you use the right size extractor I think it should come out.

Vibration rattled out one of the upper bolts on my left fairing, which I haven't even had to remove yet, so I'd say it's likely. The GS gets mad engine vibrations.

Quote from: tykho on August 26, 2010, 09:32:00 PM
Vibration rattled out one of the upper bolts on my left fairing, which I haven't even had to remove yet, so I'd say it's likely. The GS gets mad engine vibrations.

something is wrong if your engine is loosening bolts. carbs synced ? valves adjusted ? check the bolts torque values.

as far as the engine vibrating off piecs from the front wheel assembly, i doubt it. there is a good deal of slamming around on both wheels, and the suspension tends to relieve the stresses (if any) the engine buzzes their way.

a good smack from a pot hole will break the front fender, or if the bolts are loose, woller (that's a word) out the holes that the bolts go through.

I haven't synced my carbs, but my valves are adjusted, I don't think the vibration feels excessive on my GS, it's been about the same since I bought it. I get a lot of vib through the mirrors when I'm doing 80mph on I25, and I kinda just assumed that was what caused my upper fairing bolt to go missing. Truth be told, I didn't see it happen, I had been riding in the rain for three hours and just covered it when I got home, then when I went to go ride the next day I noticed it was missing.