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The only oddball I have found on the shovelhead is a 1/4"-24.
1/4-20 is course and 1/4-28 is fine thread. I had to order a tap for the 1/4-24 but Amazon had them.
I don't even remember what part it was for but may have been when I rebuild the tranny.
I am feeling the random bolt pain! Its just a puzzle, and I want to do 'er up, but I'll keep my patience. I worry the bolts I have now are not Harley specific bolts...
If there is a Harley thread specific tap & die set I suppose I should have one.
...Waiting on hardware.
Don't sweat the hardware if you aren't doing an AMCA restoration. Just make sure you use grade 5 bolts that fit correctly. There aren't many critical bolts that use grade 8, and those are usually odd size and shape that need HD specific bolts, like caliper mounts.
When you get the parts manual, you can find out the bolt type by going to JWBoon.com and entering the part number. They have great part descriptions, but don't ship to the US.
I am feeling the random bolt pain! Its just a puzzle, and I want to do 'er up, but I'll keep my patience. I worry the bolts I have now are not Harley specific bolts...
If there is a Harley thread specific tap & die set I suppose I should have one.
...Waiting on hardware.
Don't sweat the hardware if you aren't doing an AMCA restoration. Just make sure you use grade 5 bolts that fit correctly. There aren't many critical bolts that use grade 8, and those are usually odd size and shape that need HD specific bolts, like caliper mounts.
When you get the parts manual, you can find out the bolt type by going to JWBoon.com and entering the part number. They have great part descriptions, but don't ship to the US.
Also, I think the Harley specific threads were panhead and earlier motors, you should be OK. The only one that might still be odd is the tappet guide bolts, but you shouldn't be messing with them yourself.
Any odd ball tap you may need can be found these days on the Internet. I needed a 7/16"-16 bottoming tap for the head bolts on my Flathead, Google delivered these guys:
Here is close to the stance I want. With shorter shocks & a 19" front wheel (basically the same diameter as a stock 16") being the adds.
These bars and seat are my first choices ...but we know about change.
My jiffy stand & shift mount is about ready to go on the left side. ...Baby steps.
I am feeling the random bolt pain! Its just a puzzle, and I want to do 'er up, but I'll keep my patience. I worry the bolts I have now are not Harley specific bolts...
If there is a Harley thread specific tap & die set I suppose I should have one.
...Waiting on hardware.
Most of the bolts and nuts you will be dealing with are common, standard UNF threads, sometimes referred to as SAE. That will cover most of your hardware like fender brackets, frame mounts, etc etc that use the fine thread. Some case screws etc that go into aluminum are the coarser UNC. A tap and die set that has 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and 7/16 sizes of these threads will cover 90 per cent of what you need on a bolt-together project like this. Deeper engine and trans internal work gets more complicated.
Buy a few handfuls of 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 UNF grade 5 bolts and matching Nylock nuts and you will have a good start. Much cheaper at a bolt supply store than getting the Colony Harley-specific kits etc.
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