Lockwiring

[JB Performance Bikes]

Hi all,

Been searching the net for a "how to" on lockwiring.

Now, search wasn't entirely successful so though, stuff it, I'll do my own.

Have a look here http://jbperformance.squarespace.com...les/tutorials/ and tell me what you think.

John

[Rich]

The only thing I would point out is the lockwiring actually has nothing to do with the bolts coming out...

Thats because if you torque them correctly the bolts won't come out...

What it is, is a reminder to torque the bolts, and a confirmation to the scrutineer that you have torqued them...

If you actually manage to lockwire bolts you haven't thought about torquing, you probably shouldn't be doing motorcycle maintenance...

[JB Performance Bikes]

Hate to say this, but 100,000+ aircraft maintainers, aircraft designers, race bike techs etc may disagree with you on this point.

With harsh vibration and varying temperature fluctuations, any bolt will come loose, even with loctite used.

Conceeded, it is a good way to visually check that that particular fastener has been made "safe" that loctite and correct torquing can't.

[JB Performance Bikes]

Also, this was created to help people to comply with the requirement as enforced by MA.

[Rich]

The words I posted came from a higher up in a MCRCWA Pre season meeting...

As he pointed out, "we could stick match sticks thru the holes it would serve the same purpose"

Edit...

You did ask what we thought...

[CBillyR]

This is a good point in time to raise the "don't piss off a scrutineer" as he can find points all day all over yr bike that need lock wiring to make yr life difficult shall you decide to be a smart ar*e..... Cars don't have to lock wire and how much oil do they leave on the track. DD

[Flyboy]

Lockwiring bolts is used to provide a constant positive torque to essential bolts. The theory that it stops the bolts from turning so far they fall out is wrong. If the bolt moves, the lockwire jobs was inadequate to begin with.

8 to 10 turns per inch is the aircraft standard for 0.032" lockwire. For high vibration situations as found on race machines, 0.032" should be conisdered the minimum, consider using 0.040" in areas where you can.

Monel lockwire can be used for exhaust headers due to its brilliant anti-corrosion properties in high heat situations. Just be aware that it is laced with arsenic, so wash your hands after using it and wash out any cuts thoroughly to prevent infection.

If all you need is a visual indicator, get some 'Torq-Seal' paste. Its an organic compound (be nice to the environment and all that) that squeezes like a paste then sets hard. If the bolt moves with a corresponding change in torque, the torq-seal will crack, leaving a visual indication that the bolt needs to be checked.

[Rich]

So then to my point...

Why don't race scrutineers check the diameter of the wire and the tightness of the twist?

[agrid]

Perhaps the scrutineers don't know what they are doing. International aviation safety standards are quite clear that wire must be installed in a manner that will prevent the tendency of the part to loosen.

[Rich]

Hi...

Welcome to Perth Street Bikes...

[agrid]

Dammit, I read your post and my IQ dropped 5 points.

[Rich]

Shit...

In the negatives now...

[Chaos-incarnate]

Good walk- through thanks JB (I know but its stuck as your nick name now!)
I hadn't really thought about learning the lock wiring thing, I guess this means I will have to do my own one day damn it! I was just gonna rock up at your place with a roll of wire and a bike....

Also, and I claim absolutely no knowledge on the subject, but if its just a visual reminder how come they don't just put a dab of paint pen on like when they build the bikes/ perform maintenance/ QA in industry etc?
Couldn't they just use a particular colour?

[shan]

In the offshore industry , aside from posative torque, its also secondery retension.
I have seen on numerour ocasions lock wire save an item from becoming a droped item.
Drops are one of our biggest killers

[96]

I'll say the lockwiring is usefull for all above reasons (except I'm not sure I've ever seen lockwire so tight that it was actually holding the bolt tight)

It's a checklist for yourself that you have tightened the bolt, it prevents the bolt from turning and coming free too.

I have forgotten to tighten a pair of caliper bolts fully before, and I happened to avoid lockwiring them for the first time that same session. The lower and upper bolts loosened, and the lower bolt fell out. The caliper moved back, away from the disk and I lost all breaking force. Pumped the leaver quickly and avoided running off, and made my way back to the pits to find the upper bolt holding on a by a very small number of turns. Long story short. That lockwire would have confirmed that the bolt was tight. If I had left that lockwire in place for months if riding amd the bolt did happen to shake loose, it's still not going to have managed more than a half a turn, even if I wired the bolt poorly, and I'd has had a lot less of a sphincter pucker moment.

[Flyboy]

So then to my point...

Why don't race scrutineers check the diameter of the wire and the tightness of the twist?

Diameter of the wire can be recognised quite easily by eye.

Over time you learn what 8 to 10 tpi looks like as well.

More importantly, its the tensional value of the wire that you want to note. Checked quite easily by trying to flex the wire perpendicular to the bolt being saftied. If it moves readily (to a value of more than 0.004" from the bolt head) its too loose and not applying a locking torque to the job.

Aircraft engineers have been using this method for bolt safetying since flight began. Over time (and a few crashes) we've learnt what does and doesn't work and applied rules of standard practice. Such standardised practices disseminate into other applications readily, be it bike racing or whatever.

It is there for a reason, and it works.

[kenty]

Wfbs ^^

off topic though i have seen aircraft that have had anti locking wires on them, that have flown for 150 hours, with nil effects.

[kenty]

my question is, where can i get a good set of reversable lockwire pliers from

[Crobbo]

What do you mean by reversible kenty? If you want a pair lame's use, western airmotive will have a set at jandakot.

[shan]

Reversable ?I have never seen anytrhing else but !