Should i use anti-sieze on my wheel bolts?

[John]

There's difference between bolt tension (what matters) and tightening torque (what a torque wrench can measure). Tightening a lubricated bolt to the same tightening torque will put more tension in the bolt than a dry assembled one. The vehicle manufacturer (BMW) says don't lubricate; the Copaslip manufacturer says using it without adjusting tightening torque leads to incorrect bolt tension. Copper in contact with Aluminium results in galvanic corrosion. How many reasons do you need not to do it? Ok, dry assembly can cause galling, but you should inspect the bolts when you remove them and replace if they are damaged. And if anything ever did happen I'm not sure ' I've been doing it for 45 years...' would be much of a defence. Not that I remember there being many bikes with alloy wheels bolted to single sided swing arms 45 years ago. One thing I have seen is an alloy wheel cracked by an overtightened lug nut, on a car not a bike, but same principles apply.

I totally agree with the above ^ ........ Apart from other factors, how does one know what to adjust the torque setting to if the wheel bolt/stud is lubricated???............Simple answer....Do not use any lubricant on the wheel studs/bolts!! ..... 
(49 years a professional motor mechanic)

Edit... just found this extract from a recent article, which says it all really!!!....

http://www.startribune.com/motormouth-don-t-use-lubricant-on-lug-nuts/510559822/

But experts tell us not to use any lubricant, including anti-seize compound, on wheel studs or nuts. The tech folks at Tire Rack state: "Torque specifications are for dry threads only. The fastener threads should be free of oil, dirt, grit, corrosion, etc. It is important NOT to lubricate hardware threads or seats.29 May 2019

[Matt]

Article from where John? Cite!

[Gundog]

Wow
Didnt expect this to be a contentious subject.
Go figure

[richtea]

Wow
Didnt expect this to be a contentious subject.
Go figure

Safety angle + tech angle + opinions.
What more could you want for a fight? 

I never considered that the application of Copaslip/grease/etc causes the torque wrench value to change. So, from my point of view, it's been very a useful discussion.

[raesewell]

So, from this thread we can see there are conflicting views, which means go and do what you like, grease, don't grease, you choose.

[Andym535]

Safety angle + tech angle + opinions.
What more could you want for a fight? 

Religion or Politics perhaps, but people get really upset about that. :-)

[S BMW]

How do all ,

May as well throw me tuppence worth in 60 no is not a lot of torquing , but having been the victim of taking off seized wheel lugs can not see how it would harm or loosen the lug in time. It possible to brush them with anti slip and check tightness overtime to verify thems still tight. Trouble with gritting is over them they can seize the bolts .

[drumwrecker]

When you think about it. The rear wheel is removed for tyre change say every 5-6000 and a service when the rear drive oil is changed so I guess the wheel could be removed maybe three time a year, not long enough in my view for bolts to seize on especially if the threads are cleaned before replacement. So it must be those owners who do such small mileages and who don't service the bike annually are at least don't bother to do that part of a service that necessitates the removal of the rear wheel that get seized bolts.

[Phmode]

I think you'll find that TomK1300S removes his wheels every evening when he puts the bike to bed 

[TomK1300s]

  Not every night now Brian, but still strip down twice a year like the old RS.

[S BMW]

Be gor Tom your some man! Would not have that capability only doing 1500 mls a year and when not it’s 500. Respect you must be a Bmer technician 🤣👍🏻

[farmer]

under the tank....yeah right under the petrol tank, that would be a great place to put the indicator relay.....

[black-k1]

In such discussions where the two opposing views appear to be the "science" group vs the "I've been doing it for years and it's never been a problem for me" group, I tend to side with the "science" group. That said, I did have a rear wheel bolt seize on my MotorSport, and broke two T25 (I think that's the size) bits before having to drill it out so, on this occasion I'm on the add ant-seize side.

[chriscanning]

Not every night now Brian, but still strip down twice a year like the old RS.

Me too and i’ve Got 6 bikes on the go.

[chriscanning]

In such discussions where the two opposing views appear to be the "science" group vs the "I've been doing it for years and it's never been a problem for me" group, I tend to side with the "science" group. That said, I did have a rear wheel bolt seize on my MotorSport, and broke two T25 (I think that's the size) bits before having to drill it out so, on this occasion I'm on the add ant-seize side.

I used to be the latter but learned the hard way hence i’m Now in the former