Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Pillion Pad Thumb Screw?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 18, 2018 | 09:40 PM
  #1  
Outx40's Avatar
Outx40
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 9
From: Langley, BC
Default Pillion Pad Thumb Screw?

I'm planning to replace old bags on my 1999 Fatboy. The new bags are double thick leather that lay over the fender and the thumb screw to fasten the pillion pad seat is way too short now. Do they make longer thread screws for this or should I just go to the hardware store and wing it?
Thanks,
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2018 | 09:47 PM
  #2  
SPRINGER's Avatar
SPRINGER
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Default

Personally, I'd go to the hardware store and wing it, probably would be a lot cheaper too. There were times in the past when I was changing something on my bike and that's what I did.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2018 | 11:16 PM
  #3  
tnriverluver's Avatar
tnriverluver
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 443
From: West Tennessee
Default

Probably $.05 at Tractor Supply or similar. Buy longer and cut it to length.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2018 | 11:37 AM
  #4  
Dehammer's Avatar
Dehammer
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 3,481
From: Arizona
Default

Ace Hardware has something nice and chromey for ya.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2018 | 04:11 PM
  #5  
hall1836's Avatar
hall1836
Cruiser
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 25
From: Long Island NY
Default

Consider going to a torx safety screw, makes it harder to walk away with the seat.
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2018 | 11:46 AM
  #6  
hattitude's Avatar
hattitude
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
Default

Your choices are endless... well, not endless, but many...

click on thumb screws...


https://www.mcmaster.com/#thumb-screws/=1e9odw3


You don't have to buy there, their shipping is expensive for one-off items.... but it'll give you an idea what's available...
 

Last edited by hattitude; Aug 22, 2018 at 11:49 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2018 | 11:53 AM
  #7  
sailmotion's Avatar
sailmotion
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Default

If the new bags are going to lay directly on the fender (painted surface) I'd consider a felt pad between the bike and leather to minimize scuffing and wear. That might necessitate a slightly longer screw.
 
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2018 | 10:36 AM
  #8  
Outx40's Avatar
Outx40
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 9
From: Langley, BC
Thumbs up Thumb Screw

A late thanks to everyone for their reply on my question. Been out of town for a bit.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 23, 2018 | 10:51 AM
  #9  
Sixgunjr's Avatar
Sixgunjr
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 242
Likes: 21
From: Littleton
Default

FYI, Our Ace hardware here in Colorado carries chrome bolts for Harley’s. Maybe you have a hardware store like that.
 
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2018 | 03:36 PM
  #10  
iHodor's Avatar
iHodor
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 443
From: PNW
Default

Originally Posted by hall1836
Consider going to a torx safety screw, makes it harder to walk away with the seat.
If you use a Torx, safety or not, and make it a little longer than stock you can add a jamb nut on the underside of the fender. This will also help to keep someone from walking off with your $500 (or more), seat.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:17 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE