Loctite 242 vs 243 and 2701 Equivalents for KTM or BMW Motorcycles

Both the KTM and BMW service manuals call out for Loctite 2701, a product that cannot be found in North America. When researching this product I found myself learning some interesting information about thread lockers that I thought I would share. In this video I go into detail about thread locker colors, versions, strengths and qualities and use Blue 242/243 as a comparison. I also provide information about using Red 271 or 263 as a replacement for 2701.

[@niceshot4563]

Wow, you really did a deep dive on loctite. This answered all my questions, thank you for your hard work.

[@robblenda6049]

I bought the 243 for the fact that it is medium strength. After this lesson, I made the right decision without knowing it. It is even applicable on pneumatic fittings. There is so much information about loctite that I ended up confused. The exact point is deep into the web. Thank you for this guidance.

[@YogiTheBearMan]

14:07 for Loctite 2701- TLDR you can use 263 or maybe 271 as substitutes but neither are exactly the same as 2701. Thanks for the vid, got my engine sprocket installed with 44 ft-lbs of tourque using the rear brake to hold it in place.

[@ppuntd1]

Thanks for all the effort man! this is sure very helpfull to me and a lot of others. greetz a Harley rider from Holland

[@WorldCommander]

Excellent research and presentation. Very professional! I was going through the same thing with my KTM.

[@jtbrower]

Thank you, that helps make it worth all of the time I obsessed trying to figure it out!

[@SmackoACT]

Well done. You helped make up my mind what to use.

[@jtbrower]

Ian Macken awesomeness thanks

[@theodorosarmatas9139]

Thank you for all the info. Great job!!!!

[@jtbrower]

Thank you! That makes it worth the effort. Have a great day. -Jason

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Very in-depth Great job

[@jtbrower]

Thank you friend.

[@conradkelly8101]

Wow working on my ktm, this is exactly what I ran into also you rock

[@human1513]

Thank you for the research and presentation. Another KTM owner here, 2022 300 XC TPI. I bought off eBay the 2701 from India. To throw some more fun into the mix, I discovered Permatex Threadlocker Orange, a newer product. I have been using it a bit on the bike but do not have enough hours on the bike to be able to provide a conclusion of the Peramtax. Permatex describes it: "High Strength Removable Threadlocker Orange. Hand tool Removable. 1/4" - 1". Prevents Vibration Loosening." "3X Stronger than blue." As I understand it is like a red high strength Loctite or Permatex in relation to holding power (bolt not backing out) and resists vibration but yet can be hand removed easier, similar to say a Loctite 242 or 243, or ther Permatex blue midstrength threadlocker. I have applied it to the mounting bolts of Cyrcra handlebar wrap around guards. I know many riders who had them vibrate lose but mine have not. Have installed it onto the kickstand's mounting bolt (screw) that often vibrates out if the bike is ridden without placing the rubber kickstand holder, strap around the foot area of the kickstand when it is in the up position. We all forget to do that times and then as the bike vibrates and jiggles over bumps and jumps the kickstand is free to do as it likes with only its spring trying futilely to hold the kickstand in place. The movement of the kickstand will commonly unthread the single mounting bolt. So hoping the Orange will assist the bolt to stay put! www.permatex.com/products/thread-compounds/orange-threadlockers/permatex-high-strength-removable-threadlocker-orange-36-ml/ I learned equivalents: www.permatex.com/contact/cross-reference/ Loctite 242 - Permatex Medium Strength Threadlocker Blue. Loctitie 243 - "Permatex Surface Insensitive Threadlocker Blue is ideal for fasteners 1/4″ to 3/4″ (6mm to 20mm) that have a with a slight oil film. Surface Insensitive Threadlocker Blue is an oil resistant formulation that also prevents against vibration loosening. Removable with hand tools for easy disassembly."

[@ACitizenOfOurWorld]

Very well done presentation. WIsh other KZbinrs would back their assertions with facts and data sheets from the manufacturers instead of just repeating the same stuff they hear from others.

[@jtbrower]

ACitizenOfOurWorld thank you. From one data driven person to another, have a great day.

[@user-oe3um6jk4i]

Thanks for the great info!

[@joshporter5459]

Great info, thanks.

[@jtbrower]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[@jasonbeaulieu4979]

Great video, I have several concerns about this subject, I guess they mostly boil down to product education and specificity. It seems maybe 243 is a newer product.....so let's say it didn't exist 3 years ago, so 242 was spec'd by a company to assemble it's product. Along comes 243, new to the market......yes it holds better but that doesn't mean the 242 didn't get the job done just the same. It's up to Loctite to be clear in the product specs, and for the company specifying what to use for their product to be specific about which product should be used.

[@jtbrower]

You hit the nail on the head about listening to what the product designer specifies and they need to be more clear about what to use. In my case, my KTM specified 2701 but you can't even purchase 2701 in the USA without getting it from someone that imports it. My research of 2701 led me on a goose chase :)!

[@dexm2010]

This is an older video, but I am glad I was able to find this. I had no idea until today that 2701 is not sold in the U.S. (why?????!!!!), nor what green wicking grade threadlocker was. I just ordered some 2701 Loctite from Amazon the other day, and they sent me the WRONG Loctite--609 instead of 2701!!!! Very frustrating. Anyway, thank you for this video.

[@jtbrower]

I am glad you found it useful. My head was spinning so much from trying to get to the bottom of it that I figured there had to be some people in the US who would benefit from this. I learned a lot too.

[@dc5duben96]

Great informational video, just like you i was wondering which loctite to use (between 242 & 243). I know now to stick to 243 for my automotive purposes.

[@jtbrower]

DC5 duben thank you.

[@zealobiron]

Loctite 243 is easy to find now. Autozone, advanced auto for a start. I'm using permatex now. Blue lol

[@thinkride3873]

A very informative video. What do you think about Loxeal and Resimet threadlockers ?

[@jtbrower]

I have never used them or heard of them before, but thank you for the compliments.

[@johnschampel7322]

Great video, super helpful. KTM 1290 Superduke owner here, just did f and r brake pad replacements. Front calipers call for 243, but the rear calls for 2701, which is odd since the 2701 data sheet says it's for "permanent locking" (as does 263). Can you confirm you were able to unfasten bolts that used 263?

[@jtbrower]

Thank you for the nice compliment, I’m always relieved to learn there are other people who care enough about proper maintenance to dig into this. Indeed, I can confirm I have been able to apply enough torque by hand (without any sort of cheater bar) to overcome the bond that both of these products offer. I can also confirm that nothing I have used these on broke free on their own; i.e. they do their job so long as directions are followed. I ended up breaking my back and had three surgeries over the last 2.5 years. I bring this up to note that my memory of all of the fastener sizes and applications I used these products on (both on my KTM and with other unrelated purposes) escapes me at this moment. What I do remember is the relief I felt when I needed to break the fasteners free and realized that my prior taught fears of “red” loctite was without justification. With that stated, I could see the break-free torque needed to bust a fastener lose being greater than the force needed to twist the heads right off some fasteners where the size of the bolt is small and the metal is soft. Since it’s been a while since I watched this video and produced it, I don’t remember if I mentioned that I used the stronger one on my breaks as well. I figured that I’d rather risk a nightmare fastener removal than taking a trip over the bars due to breaks coming lose. On a side note, you have one amazing bike in that 1290 Superduke. Back when my garage had 4 SX/EXC models, I figured that those provided so much fun in my life that adding a 1290 would top it all off. Enjoy that bike John and have a good weekend.

[@petermurray2469]

Great video, I learned a lot. KTM builds some great motorcycles but they are also frustrating. Compared to the Japanese bikes it seems like they have problems with things coming loose and their use of hard to find thread lockers is extensive and not consumer friendly.

[@jtbrower]

Sorry for the late reply, but to your point they definitely publish thread locker part numbers that are challenging to import into the USA. I’m a huge proponent of the torque wrench. I use it on nearly all fasteners I touch if not for just applying even force over the head bolts or those in the fork tubes but because I have a problem I like to jokingly call “over-torque-itis” LOL . Like the times I skipped the torque wrench on the bolts that hold the clutch and front brake levers in position and snapped the top side of the half circle that clamps over the bottom half.

[@rockxhero]

If you were going to apply Loctite to screws for a bed, would you recommend 243 instead of 242?

[@jtbrower]

I prefer 243 because if your ever dealing with plated screws or bolts then you won’t have to put primer on them. It’s also more tolerant to oil being on the parts.

[@rcorser1]

Great informative vid. I learned a lot!! Thanks! Do you have any videos on all the bikes you own?

[@jtbrower]

Thank you Robert. I often wonder if I am the only person in the world that cares about small differences like this so it is good to know my effort helped someone. I do have a KZbin channel with my adventures in motocross. I have not made any specific videos on the details of each bike just yet but have a ton of images and video I took when I did a top end job on my 17 450. I just need to get the video together. Thanks!

[@rcorser1]

Awesome. Can't wait to see that specific video, especially since I'm buying the exact bike in the six days version. Thoughts on the bike???

[@jtbrower]

The KTM Six Days is an amazing bike, I need to post a video up of me in the mountains with it. Had a blast!

[@rcorser1]

Sweet!! Can't wait to watch that video!!! I'm close to making a deal on the 350 EXC-F......with lots of modifications. Ha!!!

[@aggiejet]

Great video, very detailed and informative. In your research, did you discover or learn about a shelf life for Loctite?

[@jtbrower]

Hey I’m a bit late in reply, sorry ‘bout that. The shelf life is going to vary between products but I’ll tell you that it’s not nearly as long as I’d hope it to be. I bought a rather sizable supply of the one that led to me doing this video and looked at the shelf life which I don’t think was more that two years out from when I received it but it could have sat on a distributor’s supply for a while before I got it. I’ll say this, anytime you buy it from your local big box home supply or auto parts stores, make sure you look for that date before leaving the store because I’ve seen expired tubes before.

[@ryandsucks]

Hey soo -- What are we supposed to use for KTM bikes if we can't get ahold of 2701?

[@jtbrower]

I talk about what to use in the video. Off the top of my head I honestly cannot remember what Henkle corp told me when I called them. Fast forward through the video to find. I know its pretty verbose. Sorry about that.

[@ACitizenOfOurWorld]

271. Oh and a speed increase in the settings to 1.75x works great on 'verbose' videos and you still don't miss anything as you would skipping around.

[@rchydrozz751]

The 243 does work good. You should know these bottles come about 1/3 rd full, or about 2/3 rds empty, how ever you want to look at it. I guess its a marketing thing, seeing the bottle thinking its completely full. Just consider that when purchasing so you're not surprised when receiving it.

[@jtbrower]

Like a bag of potato chips.

[@ACitizenOfOurWorld]

I'm going to be less cynical and say that it's to facilitate shaking the contents more effectively before use.

[@2nc4yproduction]

could you please share KTM service manual ?

[@juliusvalentinas]

What about thread lacquer/varnish? Where to get it at decent price?

[@jtbrower]

By varnish do you mean a coating that is meant solely to protect the threads against corrosion?

[@juliusvalentinas]

I mean a coating they put on screw heads to prevent loosening on adjustment crews on precision instruments or any adjustment screws. Nobody glues threads of such screws. The varnish is easily removed by sharp needle etc. as a blob of glue. ibb.co/mENBcz

[@LSmiata]

Great video and I am having the same concerns building a Toyota/Yamaha 2ZZ-GE engine. Henkel has gone CRAZY with new branding and numbers. Is is loctite or bonderite? Grrr, and I have to deal with this as an OEM provider....explain this to your customer when drawings are not updated.....GRrrr. P

[@jtbrower]

That would be a challenge when needing it for customers.

[@frankdiscussion9988]

Grainger carries ALL Loctite products.

[@tightarsetouring3560]

Instead of 2701 use 263 WOW bang on about where it is used and heaps of other trivial crap. I appreciate that you did this but you could have made a 5min clip. Cheers

[@noControl556]

If you can't get 2701 just use 243 aka blue loctite. There saved you 20mins

[@jtbrower]

LOL

[@noControl556]

Thanks for the vid though, didn't even know there were so many minor differences

[@LSmiata]

WRONG!

[@LSmiata]

243 is NOT is the same application category 263 is RED permanent, need heat to remove, and most probably what is required for the 2701 application. P

[@ACitizenOfOurWorld]

Actually, no. 14:27