Installing SW-Motech Crash Bars on 2017 CT

[ArthurY]

Placed a pumped-up small hydraulic support under the bike.
Tried to install LEFT side bar per the instructions, removed the rear engine bolt, and replaced it with their bolt and spacer, it screwed in without any issue. I left it screwed 3/4 way so there's enough wiggle room to adjust the front bolt.
Removed the front engine bolt, replaced it with their bolt + spacer. The darn thing just cannot catch the thread. Tried wiggling a little and pushing the bar in different angle and it just cannot sit their bolt correctly to catch the thread.
Tried for 1.5 hour and gave up.
Replaced the OEM bolts and they catched without any issues.
So, no the engine did not shift after I took out the OEM bolts since the OEM bolts went back in without any issues.

[ArthurY]

After meddling with it for more than 2 hours and trying to figure what could be causing this ...

-----
UPDATE:

I got the LEFT one in.

Some tips:
1. Use a rubber mallet to tap it all the way in
2. Install the front bolt first and keep it 1/2 in and loose
3. Then, get the rear one in
4. Tighten one and the other alternating until they are tight.

For now, I will not tighten to specs because there's a front joining between the LEFT & RIGHT that may need fine tune adjustments.

[ArthurY]

Tomorrow, I will install the RIGHT side and the frontal joint.

Then, moving on to skid plate. Heard horror stories about that one ... 

[Red Boll]

I had to "fiddle" a lot also when fitting these crash bars on my 2014 DCT.

What the exact issue was I cannot recall but I really hope I have to do that install again.

[ArthurY]

Originally Posted by Red Boll

I had to "fiddle" a lot also when fitting these crash bars on my 2014 DCT.

What the exact issue was I cannot recall but I really hope I have to do that install again.

Thanks for chiming in.

[ArthurY]

Installing RIGHT side crash bar


Need to be careful with SW-Motech installation diagram and examine it carefully of where they drew the dotted lines. The front edge of the crash bar where the front engine bolt is supposed to go through needs to be underneath the engine frame instead of over (like all of the other 3 bolts).  It is extremely easy to mis-read that part of the diagram. If you place it over, you will never fit it in. The rear bolt will not engage and the front bolt will be too short.

Well, I finally completed the installation for both crash bars and went out for a 30 mile test ride. Did not feel any difference in weight.

On a separate topic, the sitting position of the CT is simply fantastic for crusing and long distance. Because of it tallness and heft, I seem to be more visibly identified by motorists and they are also less likely to cut in front of me.
And, that V4 is like butter with a ton of torque everywhere. I think I will have a ball of a time this summer.