K11 Owners Group

CaptainBalrog · Brick Rider Joined: 14 Jul 2018 Posts: 38

Hi

Just wondering what's considered safe blowtorch use. Mainly because the top plug on my final drive is in there really tight and it's got quite a small allen head.

I was taking to a mechanic in the dealership and he said it would be a dangerous use of a blowtorch.

He said the same about using it on the exhaust. I've done that before with another bike and it worked but he was talking about explosive gas and stuff. Said they just crank it as hard as necessary and if it pulls the threads out they helicoil it.

The only thing i'd have been wary of prior to this conversation would have been using the torch on anything that's near the fuel tank or lines.

Just wondering what you folks think?
_________________
Be gentle it's my first time (owning a BMW)

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:02 pm Post subject:

You could try a high temp heat gun, as opposed to an open flame.
There are other fasteners on the bike that are supposed to utilize a heat gun to soften thread lockers, so I think you would be safer with a heat gun.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

flybd5 · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:21 am Post subject:

Blowtorch is a really bad idea (as you probably figured out since you are asking if it is safe). Aside from a potential fire it will discolor the casing. Instead, use penetrating oil and let it sit, and/or a cold spray on the plug to make it contract a bit and release from the threads.
_________________
To err once is human. To do so repeatedly is incompetence.
1995 K1100LT SE

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 12:36 pm Post subject:

If it's in there really tight then just use a cheater bar on it.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Mikeyrx · Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:05 am Post subject:

I second the heat gun. You still have to be careful, because it gets VERY hot, but not as hot as the open flame of a torch. You can actually solder some smaller parts with a heat gun.
_________________
â€˜95 K1100 RS
â€˜75 R75/6
â€˜66 Super Hawk cafe
â€˜99 GL1500 trike
I'd rather be riding