Ordered up some new chrome....
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Timber...I had that same problem with pinch bolts rounding off when I did my turn signal relocation. One actually had to be ez-outted. I'm pretty sure HD uses some pretty serious lok-tite on them. I can tell you it might be cheaper to just ex-out them and buy new ones. My local dealer charged me $1.25 for a new one. That's $5 for a set of 4, aluminum, not chrome. I've never been a fan of the torx head screws. They always seem to want to round off easier than the others. Maybe I'm just too strong. LMAO. NOT.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 789
Likes: 2
From: Battle Creek, MI
Well, nice thing is if it comes to that, I don't need new ones. the new forks have threaded tops on the fork tubes, so no need for pinch bolts, and it comes with new lower bolts.
Going to pick up an impact driver from Harbor Freight, (only $6 there) and hedge my bets with a hit of heat from the mapp torch. If things go well I'll be posting pics of the new forks by tonight
Going to pick up an impact driver from Harbor Freight, (only $6 there) and hedge my bets with a hit of heat from the mapp torch. If things go well I'll be posting pics of the new forks by tonight
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville, GA
I had the same problem when I did my front conversion. After rounding off several bits, I just took a thin cutoff wheel and cut the bolts. I found I could get a thin wheel into the gap where the clamp pinches together. Didn't matter much to me as I was not planning on ever needing the old triple trees again anyway. Once the bolts were cut the tubes could be slid down and out of the trees.
DD
DD
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 789
Likes: 2
From: Battle Creek, MI
impact driver was a no go, even with lots of heat. I ended up having to cut the bolts as mentioned above 
triple trees are off, front of the bike is up in the air. I forgot a couple details...
a lower bearing, seat, and stop kit. The forks do not come with stops so they can be used with internal or external stops. I am hoping the stop kit is about 1/4" thick or so... otherwise my stem is too long and I'll be headed to the machine shop to get it cut off. With the smooth top triple tree, the stem is actually a bolt that threads into the top clamp with the head recessing into the underside of the bottom clamp. so when the threads bottom out, there is no up or down adjustment for the clamps. you get what you get at that point. What I get, is about 1/4" too long... off to demon's site to look for info on the stop kit.
I am a little concerned though... just for mockup purposes I took the bearing out of the top of the neck and dropped it over the stem bolt. It slid all the way to the bottom. There is no shouldered area on the stem like on the factory unit... Are the upper and lower bearings the same part number?
EDIT: Looks like this is what I need to remedy the fork stop situation. http://www.demonscycle.com/Shop/Cont...id/0/SFV/31995
EDIT 2: scratch that. I see that my head tube doesn't have removable cups. so I need to find a race with the tab built in. Something like this (at twice the price of the other of course) http://www.pro-one.com/103413_Fork_S...t_p/103413.htm
triple trees are off, front of the bike is up in the air. I forgot a couple details...
a lower bearing, seat, and stop kit. The forks do not come with stops so they can be used with internal or external stops. I am hoping the stop kit is about 1/4" thick or so... otherwise my stem is too long and I'll be headed to the machine shop to get it cut off. With the smooth top triple tree, the stem is actually a bolt that threads into the top clamp with the head recessing into the underside of the bottom clamp. so when the threads bottom out, there is no up or down adjustment for the clamps. you get what you get at that point. What I get, is about 1/4" too long... off to demon's site to look for info on the stop kit.
I am a little concerned though... just for mockup purposes I took the bearing out of the top of the neck and dropped it over the stem bolt. It slid all the way to the bottom. There is no shouldered area on the stem like on the factory unit... Are the upper and lower bearings the same part number?
EDIT: Looks like this is what I need to remedy the fork stop situation. http://www.demonscycle.com/Shop/Cont...id/0/SFV/31995
EDIT 2: scratch that. I see that my head tube doesn't have removable cups. so I need to find a race with the tab built in. Something like this (at twice the price of the other of course) http://www.pro-one.com/103413_Fork_S...t_p/103413.htm
Last edited by timberwolfz28; Oct 21, 2008 at 06:54 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville, GA
Yeah, its not the most "equipment friendly" way to do it, and it probably pisses off some purists, but sometime you do what ya have to do!
Glad to see it worked out for ya and looking forward to some updates on your project.
DD
Glad to see it worked out for ya and looking forward to some updates on your project.
DD
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Ontario
Just when you think you have everything figured out, the "OH SH*T" happens!
There always twists and turns that we have to deal with.
Thats the "FUN" part of DIY.
Remember, it's like motorcycling, " Its not only the Destination, but the Journey to get there."
Good Luck!
and keep us posted.
There always twists and turns that we have to deal with.
Thats the "FUN" part of DIY.
Remember, it's like motorcycling, " Its not only the Destination, but the Journey to get there."
Good Luck!
and keep us posted.