Transalp 700 Heat shield screw

[MandoBear]

This is something owners of the 700 Transalp might want to check out...

I was checking the oil level on my bike today when I noticed that the rearmost screw securing the rear exhaust heat shield was missing (just behind where the exhaust pipe joins the cylinder head - could've sworn it was there a week or so ago). "Merde!" thinks I, "I'll need to order a new one..."

But being a little canny and not wanting to part with my cash without due cause, I had a quick look to see if it had got caught on the engine below. Fortunately, it had - it was resting between the swingarm and the back of the engine casing.

A couple of minutes with a magnetic allen wrench and the screw was back where it should be and good and tight. I double checked all the other heat shield screws for tightness just to be sure, and they seemed OK, but you might want to check your own bike over just to be sure. Hopefully this was a one off.

[fish]

Thats the kind of luck you need.
I've had problems with these screws on the 650 in that they rust and one sheered off.
they also go rusty on the top. After drilling and re-tapping I took a chance on used some aluminum ones (i was looking for stainless but no luck). Only a few pence at a bike show. They work and don't rust, but don't screw too tight.

[donkster]

I noticed a metallic vibration on my 700. It was the rearmost screw on the heatshield slowly unwinding itself and allowing the heatshield to resonate at certain revs. Sorted with an allen and loctite.

[Orinoco]

Would you believe my 700 had the same problem? I'd only done about 1500 miles on mine when I noticed it. Took it back to the dealer and they replaced it with one from a showroom bike.

Soon as I got home I took it out, added some loctite and put it back. From what I remember it's still there....

Doubt the original is still stuck in the swinging arm, but I might just have a quick check.....

[MandoBear]

I'd wondered about using Loctite, but as I recall, it loses strength at about 170-200 degrees C (and I imagine that bit of the exhaust will be well above that), so I just did it up good and tight, and I'll keep an eye on it. I suppose I could fit a shakeproof washer if it still works loose.

[Tony M]

Interesting - mine lost the middle heat shield screw a week or so ago - I dug around in the shed and found something that would "do", and I'm expecting to collect a replacement from the dealers tomorrow. seems to be a common problem.

Cheers,

[Baggy]

Looks like a few minutes going round the bike with a set of allen keys this weekend, weather permitting...

During the first few miles with my new 700, it buzzed and rattled a bit - one of my pet hates I'm afraid - so I went round the various fairing, exhaust, etc fasteners. Most were Ok iirc, with maybe just a touch of tightening, but I do remember the screen fasteners took up a some slack ( remembering that they are those funny little squishy things that you don't overtighten ).

It also meant I put a third bolt through the number plate to stop it bouncing around. The bike ran somewhat quieter after that

Keith.

[the_earlobe_of_doom]

One of my heatshield screws diappeared before the 600 mile service. I think I put a post up about it at the time. The dealer put a new one in and its still there at 4200 miles. This indeed does seem to be a common problem

[shunter]

Uncanny, but noticed a rattle from right side of bike and eventually traced it to a missing heat shield screw. Got it replaced at the dealers.

[ton304]

my screen is buzzing at 3,000rpm. it is driving mecrazy, any ideas to avoid this annoying noise?