Red or blue threadlocker
- Old Buck
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2019 12:59 pm
- Location: Red Deer Alberta, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE
Red or blue threadlocker
My question for the day,
I am a first timer at changing timing belts and in the process of changing the timing belts on my 2000 GL 1500 SE and following the Tutorial. I am now looking at installing the new belts. My question is I am to use red threadlocker on the belt tensioner bolts and wondering how tough it will be to remove the bolts in the future and if blue threadlocker is sufficient.
Thanks so much
Old Buck
I am a first timer at changing timing belts and in the process of changing the timing belts on my 2000 GL 1500 SE and following the Tutorial. I am now looking at installing the new belts. My question is I am to use red threadlocker on the belt tensioner bolts and wondering how tough it will be to remove the bolts in the future and if blue threadlocker is sufficient.
Thanks so much
Old Buck
- Elmobile
- Posts: 256
- Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2015 8:35 pm
- Location: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1990 GL1500SE
Re: Red or blue threadlocker
Good day from Nova Scotia,
When I did mine I just torqued the bolts. I didn’t use any thread locker. You could use the blue one if you’d like. The red one is almost as good as welding
Not a good idea in my opinion.
When I did mine I just torqued the bolts. I didn’t use any thread locker. You could use the blue one if you’d like. The red one is almost as good as welding

- Old Buck
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2019 12:59 pm
- Location: Red Deer Alberta, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE
Re: Red or blue threadlocker
Thanks Elmobile
Ya Red makes me nervous. I have blue on them now so I'm committed
Ya Red makes me nervous. I have blue on them now so I'm committed
- Charlie1Horse
- Posts: 665
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- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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1992 GL1500I Interstate
Re: Red or blue threadlocker
It's not a Harley. You don't need threadlocker at all. The Goldwings don't vibrate enough need anything more than Proper torque.
Russell
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- wezx
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:16 am
- Location: Munroe Falls, OH - United States
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500A
Re: Red or blue threadlocker
On both my Goldwing and my V-Twin Chopper I use blue almost exclusively, and specifically Loctite 243 because of the improved oil tolerance over 242. For most things Blue is more than sufficient. I only use Red in a couple of places...mainly the main shaft nut on the V-twin. Can’t really think of anywhere I would use Red on a Goldwing. Red really isn’t “permanent” per se. Heat will allow for removal of course and on large bolts, like the aforementioned main shaft nut, high torque (breaker bar or impact) will remove them without heat. But on smaller fasteners you definitely run the risk of stripping/breaking the fastener if you don’t use heat with Red. One thing Red is great for is if you have stripped or damaged threads on a mirror mount or other accessory. It can hold for quite awhile and delay a replacement or even negate the need for a replacement all together.
- kwthom
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Re: Red or blue threadlocker
I worked in aerospace...and the number of Loctite (and other...) brands can be mind numbing.
Perhaps a quick reference might be this Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread-locking_fluid and the chart within.
Perhaps a quick reference might be this Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread-locking_fluid and the chart within.
Effective 07/02/2022, in a self-imposed "social media detox" - focusing on offline social interactions and actions.
- wezx
- Posts: 123
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- Location: Munroe Falls, OH - United States
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500A
Re: Red or blue threadlocker
Yes, it can be confusing because with Loctite they have several types within each color. That Wiki chart is a good general guide, but I think this chart from Henkel (makers of Loctite) is far more comprehensive and complete: https://henkeladhesivesna.com/henkeldoc ... _Links.pdfkwthom wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2020 8:49 pm I worked in aerospace...and the number of Loctite (and other...) brands can be mind numbing.
Perhaps a quick reference might be this Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread-locking_fluid and the chart within.
- wezx
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:16 am
- Location: Munroe Falls, OH - United States
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500A
Re: Red or blue threadlocker
Another lesser known product from Loctite are their bearing retainer fluids, which are green in color. Confusingly, the wicking type threadlockers are also green so you have to pay attention to the model number. Here’s info on the bearing retainer fluids including a chart detailing all the different formulations. They work very well.
And no, I don’t work for Henkel or Loctite LOL. I’ve just spent a lot of time researching their fluids. Incidentally, from what I’ve been told Permatex was previously owned by Henkel and that’s why Permatex threadlockers have a similar model numbering system, though nowhere near as many fluid models and variations.
http://dm.henkel-dam.com/is/content/hen ... gnGuidepdf
And no, I don’t work for Henkel or Loctite LOL. I’ve just spent a lot of time researching their fluids. Incidentally, from what I’ve been told Permatex was previously owned by Henkel and that’s why Permatex threadlockers have a similar model numbering system, though nowhere near as many fluid models and variations.
http://dm.henkel-dam.com/is/content/hen ... gnGuidepdf
- Mh434
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Re: Red or blue threadlocker
My advice? Don't use red Locktite on anything you might need to take apart again, EVER! Use it & you can consider those parts permanently welded together, particularly on aluminum parts, where the fasteners are several times stronger than the engine.
- wezx
- Posts: 123
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- Location: Munroe Falls, OH - United States
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500A
Re: Red or blue threadlocker
Use heat to easily remove any Red Loctited fasteners...
- wezx
- Posts: 123
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Re: Red or blue threadlocker
Another good thing to know about Loctite/Permatex (and probably most other threadlockers) is that they have anti-seize/anti-galling properties according to the techs I’ve spoken with both at Henkel and Permatex. There are a lot of circumstances where you need anti-seize (Nickel anti-sieze for stainless fasteners into aluminum for example) but you also need the fastener to not vibrate loose. A threadlocker can give you both benefits.
- Happytrails
- Posts: 1013
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- Motorcycle: 1991 Goldwing 1500 SE
2018 Ural Gearup
Re: Red or blue threadlocker
Just used some blue stuff liberally on a spare tire bolts on a Ural. Apparently they had some white stuff that was a little difficult to break loose and bolts were a softer steel (might replace these out) Have heard that red stuff just needs heated to loosen but never tried it. When I replaced those belt tensioners I didn't use loctite either just torqued to spec but it doesn't seem like a bad idea.
1991 GL1500 SE Anniversary Edition
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
- wezx
- Posts: 123
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Re: Red or blue threadlocker
You should be fine just torquing those tensioner bolts. I didn’t use any threadlocker when I replaced my timing belts, though Blue wouldn’t hurt anything either. A Goldwing isn’t gonna have anywhere near the vibration of say, a V-twin.Happytrails wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:51 pm Just used some blue stuff liberally on a spare tire bolts on a Ural. Apparently they had some white stuff that was a little difficult to break loose and bolts were a softer steel (might replace these out) Have heard that red stuff just needs heated to loosen but never tried it. When I replaced those belt tensioners I didn't use loctite either just torqued to spec but it doesn't seem like a bad idea.
Yep, just a little blast with a torch will soften Red for removal.