This may be a silly question but I understand that you are never supposed to reuse the bolts on the rear pulley. I installed a new larger 70t pulley a couple years ago but my belt was too short and I couldn't get it to fit without a longer belt or the smaller 30t front pulley that I was planning on doing down the road. I had installed and torqued down the bolts before realizing it wasn't going to work.
I am now pulling the primary and doing both the transmission pulley and the rear pulley. Those bolts had been torqued but the bike was never ridden with them. Could I use them? Is the reason they are one time use due to torquing them down or is it because of the lateral force on them when in use?

 

Re-use them, just use Red Loctite on the rear pulley bolts.......you don't want them backing out.

 

I'm cheap and I probably reuse a lot of stuff I shouldn't just to save a few bucks. This is one of those times where saving a few bucks just doesn't seem worth it. Maybe I'm wrong but there are some bolts that are determined to be one time use by people waaay smarter than me. In circumstances where I might get hurt or killed or worse yet hurt or kill a loved one I spend the extra money. Maybe I'm wrong but is it worth the 12 -15 dollars to find out?

 

If the manual calls for a first and final torque setting then change them and do it by the book.

 

Yeah honestly I will probably just pick up a new set but was curious why they are single use. Is it because of the tightening torque on them or does it have more to do with the lateral force from rotating the tire. Unfortunately the bolts I need aren't the stock size (and I want them in chrome) so I am going to have to find them somewhere and order them. I'm still waiting on other parts though so it shouldn't hold me up.

 

Probably want to review this thread: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...snapped-4.html

Also this is why you don't want to reuse the bolts, you may be okay with cleaning out the hub threads and bolt thread, using loctite, but why take the chance. Follow the manual, there is a reason it was written that way.

Chrome bolts may not be the best way to go if they are not the correct hardness.

 

The chrome bolts are grade 8 and intended for this application. For $30 I am just going to order new ones. Again I was just curious about why they were one time use.

 

It is sometimes hard to tell why the service manual states "one time use" for both gaskets and bolts...

I have reused gaskets that are supposed to be replaced, without leaks. I have used the same gasket several times in some of these applications. I just inspect them to make sure they aren't damaged by use of removal...

However, I am not a machinist. Nor do I have any metallurgy background or training. I am aware of these two aspects of why a bolt could be "one time use".

There are bolts that are "torque to yield". They are designed to have a final torque spec that actually stretches the bolt. This causes the bolt to lose some of its elasticity. If you reuse one of these bolts, it will be weakened and may not effectively provide the needed clamp load.

There are also bolts that require, and are supplied with a lock patch on the threads. In these cases, I suspect the manual just wants to ensure that you use the proper threadlock on the bolt.

FWIW.... Since I'm not a bolt/metal expert, I tend to err on the side of caution.

If the bolt is a critical fastener, would be either labor intensive to change out, and/or could cause a serious issue if fails to clamp properly (like the sealing screws on the fuel tank plate) I tend to replace them if called for... That's just for my piece of mind.

I have read at length numerous threads about loose drive pulleys... It would appear that most of the problems are due to poor installation or modifications that affect the clamping power of the fasteners, like adding powder coating to the surface where the bolt clamps to, etc.

I have also seen recommendations by people I deem more knowledgeable than me, claiming reuse of the pulley bolts is no big deal, as long as threads are cleaned and red thread locker is applied.

I will say I have reused pulley bolts without an issue, with proper cleaning, thread locker and installation. I would not, however, recommend against the manual on that issue to others, since it is a fastener with a critical job...

Good luck with your repair...

 

If they work loose, it will destroy both the pulley and the hub (wheel) by wallowing out the holes. Ask me how I know this.

 

I found some chrome grade 8 replacement bolts in the correct length online and ordered them. The shipping was more than the bolts but they didn't have them in the right length locally. For $24 shipped I'm sure it's worth it.