Help: MRA screen install: rubber grommets!

RRrider · 05-09-2011, 10:28 PM

Not sure where to post this, but I am trying to install my MRA screen that just arrived that I thought would be an easy 8 screw / 10 minute job. But you need to transfer the rubber grommets (winnuts?) from old screen to the new one and I find that although with a lot of work, I can wrestle them out of the old screen, I can't push them into the new one. I really want to do this tonight (ride tomorrow), so I'd appreciate anyone's tips on how to accomplish this. thanks in advance for your help...!

syme71 · 05-09-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRrider

Not sure where to post this, but I am trying to install my MRA screen that just arrived that I thought would be an easy 8 screw / 10 minute job. But you need to transfer the rubber grommets (winnuts?) from old screen to the new one and I find that although with a lot of work, I can wrestle them out of the old screen, I can't push them into the new one. I really want to do this tonight (ride tomorrow), so I'd appreciate anyone's tips on how to accomplish this. thanks in advance for your help...!

I ended up filing the holes a little bit with a round file. Then a little dishwashing liquid lube. Good luck trying to press fit used wellnuts. Ain't gonna happen. New wellnuts may work without filing since they haven't been squashed yet.

**Nomad** · 05-09-2011, 10:56 PM

Don't push. Pull. Pull by using a screw in the bottom of the well nut and pull the screwhead through the screen. You only need to screw in part way.

RRrider · 05-09-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad

Don't push. Pull. Pull by using a screw in the bottom of the well nut and pull the screwhead through the screen. You only need to screw in part way.

interesting. are you talking about insertion or removal, or both? THX!

markjenn · 05-09-2011, 11:40 PM

Rubber lube. It's a PITA but lube is the key. If I had to do it over again, I'd just buy new wellnuts and leave the old ones in the old shield.

- Mark

RRrider · 05-09-2011, 11:56 PM

thanks. this helped. this took WAY longer than I wanted, and I only got 5 screws to really work...2 tighten but not all the way...and in one the threads slipped so the screw no longer reaches the threads. But with 5 tight, it feels fairly firm...good enough to ride tomorrow.
thanks

RRrider · 05-09-2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjenn

Rubber lube. It's a PITA but lube is the key. If I had to do it over again, I'd just buy new wellnuts and leave the old ones in the old shield.

- Mark

yes, KY helped a lot

Yes had I known what a PITA this was going to be I (a) wouldnt have done it tonight and (b) I would have bought new ones. I think it's really chinsy of MRA not to ship this with the required hardware...soured me a bit on MRA I must say.

thanks for the help!

markjenn · 05-10-2011, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRrider

Yes had I known what a PITA this was going to be I (a) wouldnt have done it tonight and (b) I would have bought new ones. I think it's really chinsy of MRA not to ship this with the required hardware...soured me a bit on MRA I must say.

Well, it's really not required since you can swap the parts from the old one, difficult as it is. And I don't know of any windscreen that includes new wellnuts, even the BMW one. So I don't think this reflects poorly on MRA vs. other mfgs.

- Mark

YELLOPER1L · 05-10-2011, 02:27 AM

I know it's irrelevant now but BMW stealerships use brake cleaner to help lube the well nuts to get them in place. It lubes it and then evaporates meaning the nuts are unlikely just to turn through using either an oil based product or soap.

ronyd · 05-14-2011, 07:48 AM

If I have to do it again, I'll buy these and leave the others intact:
Windshield Bolt Kit - Pro-Bolt USA Hardware - Titanium, Stainless Steel, Aluminum Fasteners for Metric Motorcycles & Harley-Davidson