Side cover bolt order

[ejdirin]

Stupid question.....

I took the engine side covers off and the bolts all different lengths and I lost my diagram for putting them back on. Anybody have an exploded diagram of each side cover? Trial and error will probably take me too long. I have a 79 XS. Thanks in advance!

 

[xjwmx]

Start with the short bolts, wherever they will work, then next longest, until they're all in.

The actual tightening order ought to be a bolt on side one, then on side two, etc, like head bolts or spare tire on a car. Just good form.

 

[xjwmx]

P.S. Also, choke all the way up on the rachet handle when you tighten these, like you do with spark plugs. Makes it harder to overtighten. Overtightening leads to hell on Earth.

 

[pumps]

There are exploded views of the XSs here. You don't say if you have a standard F model or a Special but here.
XS/TX 650 Manuals
http://biker.net/

 

[jayel]

the longer bolts go in the holes with the locating pin/bushings

 

[XSLeo]

If you slide a bolt in and when the threads touch and the bolt head is about 3/8's inch from the case then it's right. If the bolt head sticks out much more it is wrong. If the head hits the case before the threads touch it's wrong.

 

[ejdirin]

Thanks guys. That one site is perfect, pumps!

 

[pumps]

A more experienced member explained that if , while looking at a part number for a fastener, you look at the middle part of the part number, the screw/bolt size is given in mm then the length.
Example : 91316-06025-00. One of the screws holding the alternator cover on. Size is 6mm , length is 25 mm. That's help me a lot when looking for fasteners at my local hardware store.

 

[Sundie]

that's incredibly helpful and non-obvious! Definitely filed away for later.

 

[pumps]

Sundie I'm only passing along what I have learned from more experienced members. I'm forever in their debt on a million things.