Paging the mechanic types (or *Why* have you done it like *that*!)

As the new clutch lever came today, I've had a bit of a play with the
bike, and had a go at fitting stuff. Now, the clutch lever was easy - I
should've stopped there. The side panel I was going to fit is a
different matter.

It's held on by a "stud"[1]. A very hard to get to stud[2]. Now, the
procedure[1] is:
"* Remove:
Studs (A)" (with accompanying diagram)

Given the situation in the picture[5], how do I get that off in such a
way that I can get it back on again, and without destroying the rest of
the bike? There doesn't seem to be any way to get any purchase on the
LHS of the fitting, and the RHS seems to be welded on.

I'm half surprised that there isn't some little japanese writing to the
tune of "haha - you'll love *this* one!"

[1] according to the proper Green Book of Lies
[2] The correct sequence[1] is to remove the belly pan, the side
fairings, the windshield, undo some bolts, slide the whole front off to
give you [3] and leaving the rest looking like [4]
[3] http://www.flickr.com/photos/christofire/853001670/
[4] http://www.flickr.com/photos/christofire/853002598/
[5] http://www.flickr.com/photos/christofire/852137637/

 

Mole grips on the greenish-coloured tube-like fitting? Two nuts that
fit the thread on the exposed thread to the LHS, tighten one against
the other till they lock and then use a spanner to remove the whole
lot is prolly best.

Once it snicks loose, it will likely be only finger tight.

What you have there, clipped over the panel, is a 'spire nut' where
the little square nut is welded to the clip that locates over the
panel and its support - that nut won't undo. You'll have to deal with
the LHS.

That's the little wooden shed at the edge of the production floor,
occupied by a couple of wrinkly little slopes with real thick specs
on, muttering to each other "How we **** Johnny Loundeye today?"

 

Group of guys walk into a Chinese restaurant, a little worse for the
beer. The cocky little fucker of the bunch orders "plawn clackers with a
side of flied lice" to much amusement of the table.

The waiter grabs him by his collar, drags him to within an inch of his
own nose and yells in his best english:

"It's Frrrried Rrrice and Prrrrawn Crrrrackers, you flucking plick".

Sorry, slow day.

 

They did that in Lethal Weapon 4, Uncle Benny to Riggs (Mel Gibson).

 

Oh. Never seen it guv.

<shuffles off>

 

There's two of those 'spire nut' things that hold the seat on, on the
Sprint ST. One of them is bent, such that the nut doesn't align with
the holes properly.

Since the bike was <1 week old, it's only had one bolt holding the seat
on[1] as I've spent ages trying to get the other one in properly and
failed thus far. Replacing the spire nut involves removing bodywork
and I really CBA.

[1] I blame TOG: "These throwovers have a strap that go under the
seat, so let's whip the seat off..."

 

Remove the spire nut and replace it with a Yamaha one. Triumph ones
are pretty much 'use once only' jobs - Yamaha ones are far better
quality and last forever.

Sprint ST 1050 seats are a fucker to bolt down if the spire nut's gone
wonky.

 

Noted, ta.

Tell me about it.

I will replace it just as soon as can get some enthusiasm for removing
the panels to get access.