Anyone Else Lost a Heat Shield Yet?

[rick danger]

@rick danger is correct on the above- it isn't your bolts coming loose, although it wouldn't be a bad idea to check those from time to time.

Rick, you also recommended some kind of mechanical backup to the JB Weld earlier. I had an idea that didn't work using a nut and lock washer because of the limited access space behind the bracket (one of mine was split, btw). Problem is a standard nut for that bolt is smaller than the opening in the bracket. I tried to slip a larger washer and lock washer in and semi succeeded, but there is no way once everything is in place to hold the nut still while tightening the bolt. Ran into other issues not worth going into.

Ideally, if there was room to pass the top hat between the bracket and the pipe and then use a spacer to replace the offset of the top hat (usually on the other side) that would work, but there isn't enough space to get the top hat in.

A spot weld is the answer. Looking for a local friend

Do you have a tap set? Could you drill and tap a piece of aluminum, or steel, I guess, the right size, and thick as will fit, in behind the sheet metal bit? Basically make a square, or rectangular nut. If it was made as big as would fit, and tight enough to jam in there, it might just stay in place to get the screw in. And out when the time came. Key would be to size it so its jammed in tight. But yeah, welded in would be the best. I use a Dremel with a cut off wheel probably more than anything I have. you might grind a notch in the corners and tap in some of the sheet metal with a cold chisel to help "trap" it. I think I'd use anti sieze on that set up. And a small lock washer under the screw head

 

[Frosty Rider]

I found 4 or 5 of mine were loose when i was working on the bike in the summer, i kept hearing a rattle and it was driving me nuts, I had an exhaust cement that i was using on my touring to seal up the space between the Jardine header and cat delete pipe, so tried that, took the round things out, put that stuff on them and then put them back in the holes and that seemed to help the situation, they are still on there solid, i'll try and get the name of the stuff i used for it