SW Motech Top rack snapped bolts...

[offcamber]

I know I read of this happening to someone else.....

Today on my ride to work I noticed a new rattle...once I got to work on quick inspection the two forward bolts holding the SW-Motech top rack snapped. The thing that aggravates me is I don't really keep much in the top box. I use it mostly to lock my helmet in. I can' say I even do a lot of off-road.

If anyone knows where I can find the thread where this happened to someone else I'd appreciate it. I beleive they had a fix. I'll call Twisted Throttle but being over two years old I suspect they aren't going to do anything for me. The bolts aren't locally sourced. They are countersunk Allen head bolts.

 

[BarkSlayer]

If you have a specialty fastener supply house nearby, give them a try. Those Allen head bolts aren't that unusual anymore.

I've had some issues with SW Motech tank bags in the past, so I don't buy their stuff anymore. As for TT, IMO their customer service is very poor, so I go different routes now. Some guys complain about Touratech pricing, but their products are excellent and they're the easiest company to do business with in the industry.

 

[offcamber]

I called TT, they had replacement bolts in stock.....go figure. It was only $9 for the set so I just ordered them. Online prices were about the same. I am considering changing out the top rack to something better.

 

[Rasher]

These are also bastards to remove, I wanted to take my rack off and put it on again and two of the SW Bolts were properly stuck after two seasons (mainly) fair weather riding. Most rounded off the screw / allen tops and required a lot of effort to remove, and one needed drilling out.

I bought all my kit from Chainspeed in the UK who sorted me out replacements FOC which was more than fair as I was beyond warranty period, but he agreed from the pictures I sent they looked a bit naff and obviously were also soft rubbish metal, also whinged about the rather cheapo locks and he said since I bought mine they had been improved and sent me a new set.

So although I was a bit disappointed with the original quality, the after-sales service made up for it, and in the past I have tended to like their stuff, and have bought more since, mainly due to the backup which I get from my vendor - which can often make a big difference.

 

[offcamber]

I didn't have any issue removing the broken bolts....both were broken flush with the bike. I sprayed them with some PB Blaster..... took a small screw driver and with a mallet tapped the broken bolts at an angle....they began to turn. I just took my time till enough thread was showing to grab them with a pair of pliers.....Both sides took about 15 minutes.