Road King problem!!

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Nov 3, 2020 | 06:06 PM

#11

eighteight

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 10,804

Likes: 7,444

From: OH

plenty of choices out there, pick your preferred material, grade, head type, finish etc
local supplier, Grainger, Fastenal, McMaster-Carr

Nov 3, 2020 | 06:20 PM

#12

Dan89FLSTC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 21,173

Likes: 12,740

From: South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattbastard

I've had so many OEM 1/4"x20 Harley fasteners break it's not even funny. Yes I take stuff apart repeatedly which I'm sure deforms them a little bit each time, but still, it's enough to replace everything with SS or Gr.8 wherever I see a need.

Harley 1/4-20 fasteners are grade 8.

Harley fasteners may not be good looking, but they are quality fasteners.

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Nov 3, 2020 at 06:23 PM.

Nov 4, 2020 | 02:05 AM

#13

Mattbastard

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 4,315

Likes: 1,663

From: Tampa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

Harley 1/4-20 fasteners are grade 8.

Harley fasteners may not be good looking, but they are quality fasteners.

False. On my 96 Sportster and 94 Evo Road King the rocker box bolts that were 1/4"x20 didn't even have markings on the tops. The Sportster ones broke torquing them down (on the light end of the scale, BTW), and on the Evo those got swapped out to Gr.5 because that's what I had lying around and I didn't trust the OEM ones. I've also broken many primary cover bolts just wrenching them down with a T-handle allen wrench.

Oh, and also on V-Rod I had a few years ago the upper shock bolts, the 1/2"x13 bolts, were bent. Presumably from normal use, but still, BENT 1/2"x13 bolts!!!!! Go see my thread about it, it's around here somewhere.

Harley fasteners are ****. Any time a manufacturer can buy THOUSANDS of something they're gonna cut as much cost out of each one as possible.

Nov 4, 2020 | 05:15 AM

#14

Dan89FLSTC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 21,173

Likes: 12,740

From: South Carolina

Never heard of someone having so much trouble with Harley fasteners breaking, you must get all the bad ones......

Nov 4, 2020 | 06:12 AM

#15

EVOrider

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 2,558

Likes: 280

From: Russellville, Arkansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

Never heard of someone having so much trouble with Harley fasteners breaking, you must get all the bad ones......

He’s getting the bolts made on Mondays and Fridays....

Nov 5, 2020 | 02:09 AM

#16

Mattbastard

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 4,315

Likes: 1,663

From: Tampa

I think it had a lot to do with them being tightened a bunch of times in their lives. I had those engines apart a lot...

Nov 6, 2020 | 09:28 PM

#17

soupman77

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 21

Likes: 10

From: ATX

So, I’ve picked a set and spare set of OEM HD bolts...however, now having issue locating the original torque specs for the 94. Anyone have knowledge they can pass on? “Tight and a bump” got me in trouble the first time...well, that and old bolts + 18 ftlbs...

Nov 7, 2020 | 07:32 AM

#18

EVOrider

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 2,558

Likes: 280

From: Russellville, Arkansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupman77

I can look in the factory service manual this afternoon unless someone else chimes in.

However, I don’t use the torque settings on primary cover bolts. I use a ball end Allen screw driver type....one hand only. Never a problem.

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Nov 10, 2020 | 07:56 AM

#19

soupman77

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 21

Likes: 10

From: ATX

I was able to get some extra primary cover bolts...but still don’t have torque specs, and a manual that I had, doesn’t cover 94’ RK. Does anyone have the torque specs ft/in lbs?