Hmm, something to worry about?

[2fs2ns]

I thought I'd throw on the MC engine guard tonight and found out that maybe somethings a little tweaked on my bike.

The spacers on the upper engine bolts where the guard mounts were in there very tightly.  I had to get some big pliers and work it back/forth while pulling down.   When it released, there was a slight twang of tension relief and the other right side spacer fell out of the other side.

I had started this once before but not finished.  To get the stock spacer back in, I actuall had to grind off one top side of the spacer to get it started, and then hammer it back in place.  

Anyway, I put the guard in place, put the lower bolts in, and then the uppers.  Only with the new spacers they gave me, on the right side, there's still a big gap, on the left there really isn't.  There's a small gap, but it will probably tighten down.

Should I just get some washers in there and not worry about it?

[John Luttrell]

I shim it with washers and press on with pride.

[Greg Cothern]

I agree with John....  

As for the tight fit, that is probably due to that the other engine mount bolts were probably tight making them not just simply fall out when you removed the bolt.

[MagnaDaddy]

I just put an MC guard on my '86 V45 and it was a bit of a squeeze but I was able to get it snug after I took 1/2 an inch off the bolt on the right side.  They didn't take into account all the California emissions stuff on the '86...

[MagnaMan]

My bike only had 1100 miles on it when I got it and had not been through any major accidents or drops that I know of. So there was little chance of the frame being off. When I put my MC guards on it was very difficult to get the spacers in and out. Same as you experienced.

If you loosen all the motor mount bolts on the front (top and bottom) you'll find it's a lot easier to get the spacers in. Then torque everything back down and you might find that the irregular spacing has disappeared. If not, I'd just shim it with washers and go.

[2fs2ns]

Kewl beans, that's what I did.  Truck died so the bike is my only transportation at the moment.