Problem fitting Madstad bracket :(

SailorConnor

Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2020
Messages
34
Location
Kent, UK
Hey guys.

Picked up my new S10 yesterday and was really excited to get the Madstad bracket on today. I have however run into a problem or two.

I can't seem to get the side supports to line up without using way too much force (in my opinion)

I've installed as per the instructions, using the flat washers to mount onto the bike. Just cannot get the holes to line up with the supports.

I did think about maybe mounting the bracket to the bike with the rubber washers to get a bit more space between the brackets, but the instructions clearly said use the flat washers.

Anyone else had similar issues?

Cheers, Con

m1.jpg m3.jpg m2.jpg m4.jpg m5.jpg
 

tallpaul

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2017
Messages
912
Location
Whitworth, Rochdale, UK
The Madstad on my bike has struts on it but they look to have been made by the previous owner. I would elongate the holes but I appreciate not everyone has the kit to do this. Don't drill the holes larger as it will just weaken the struts. The other option is to contact the supplier. You've paid enough for it, so it should be right.
 

JamesGang

I'm Rick James
Joined
Jun 16, 2018
Messages
236
Location
Cape Breton Island
That is odd, Con. My bracket aligned perfectly (2018 non ES) and looks the same as yours.
I would most likely fabricate struts the proper length and be done with it.
Regards,
Rick
 

Squibb

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
1,064
Location
Bedford, UK
I can only think the whole OE screen support bracket has moved back a few mm, maybe stressed during transit at some stage. Madstad gear usually arrives as a perfect fit in my experience.

Probably easiest just to pack out the Madstad screen brackets with a couple of extra flat washers each side to move things forward slightly, unless you fancy stripping back the front of the bike to investigate. You will need to experiment with thickness, so just get a small pack from your hardware store or DIY shed.

Personally I would resist any temptation to elongate or enlarge the support bars/struts or apply any force in an effort to persuade them to align given the fairing fixing is just a wellnut.
 

Eville Rich

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Joined
Sep 15, 2016
Messages
464
Location
Wisconsin, USA
It's been a while, but I recall needing to fiddle withe support bars a bit to get them to line up. I don't recall the details, but I think I had to give a little bend to the bars. I also recall that it wasn't obvious which way was up/down, left/right. Maybe the instructions are better now.

It can be done with a bit of gentle effort. I'll look at mine and see if it jogs a memory on what I did.

Eville Rich
2016 S10
 

Eville Rich

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2016
Messages
464
Location
Wisconsin, USA
I didn't see anything that jogged my memory. The above point about waiting to tighten everything is a good suggestion. I got my brackets from Madstad after getting the core system, so didn't install it all at once. A little gentle bending might still be necessary. Don't overdo it if you got that route.
Eville Rich
2016 S10
 

SailorConnor

Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2020
Messages
34
Location
Kent, UK
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Operator error does seem to be the cause.. I properly slacked off the mounting bolts and the bolts to the cross bar all the way and worked backwards.

Annoyingly, one of the threads on the end of the crossbar wouldn't take either of the bolts without some force. But it's all on and nipped up now. Fortunately this bike is going to be a real long termer so the bracket won't be coming off anytime soon...

Thanks for all the advice!
 

frofroten

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2020
Messages
41
Location
Litchfield, MN
I had the same issue with my 2019 S10. I needed to apply a bit of force to get the support brackets installed. Also, the windshlied doesn't fit flush the the mount. I would hate to bend and possibly ruin the paint...
 
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