DIY Cheap Mods
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Seacoast, New Hampshire
Softail Custom Seat Fix?
I have a working fix to replace the two acorn nuts that hold on the seats of the softail customs. The existing bolts are unsecured at the rear and it has been a major pain for me to remove them if I need to go under the seat because they spin as you try to remove them. Not only that but the nuts were getting scratched up being removed for service. Not good in my opinion, but you have to try it to really understand.
But for those that have this problem I have a $10 answer.
Go to your local hardware and get 2 shaft collars, 1/4 inch interior diameter, 1/2 inch exterior diameter. These are in the standard packs on the wall of nuts and bolts the stores buy. Basically, these look like a thick washer with a small hole on one side in which is threaded an allen bolt headed screw. The screw twist thru the body and pushes against whatever is inside. This holds the collar on to a bolt.
Next go to local dealer with the collar and find a 1/2 inch diameter chrome bolt cover that almost slides over the collar. Again, standard size thing these guys sell to hide engine bolts.
Then all we do is remove acorn nuts for one last time from bolts, slide on and lock on shaft collar. and then, using a demmel or small file, trim the interior of the bolt cover until it slides firmly over the locked collar.
Last step, put allen wrench for collar in tool pouch.
If there is any interest I will take a few pics and send the to Citoriplus. I have had no luck reducing or posting lately.
This idea gives a clean bolt cover that can be quickly removed with tools, but is otherwise secure.
Any thoughts post or email me.
Mike
But for those that have this problem I have a $10 answer.
Go to your local hardware and get 2 shaft collars, 1/4 inch interior diameter, 1/2 inch exterior diameter. These are in the standard packs on the wall of nuts and bolts the stores buy. Basically, these look like a thick washer with a small hole on one side in which is threaded an allen bolt headed screw. The screw twist thru the body and pushes against whatever is inside. This holds the collar on to a bolt.
Next go to local dealer with the collar and find a 1/2 inch diameter chrome bolt cover that almost slides over the collar. Again, standard size thing these guys sell to hide engine bolts.
Then all we do is remove acorn nuts for one last time from bolts, slide on and lock on shaft collar. and then, using a demmel or small file, trim the interior of the bolt cover until it slides firmly over the locked collar.
Last step, put allen wrench for collar in tool pouch.
If there is any interest I will take a few pics and send the to Citoriplus. I have had no luck reducing or posting lately.
This idea gives a clean bolt cover that can be quickly removed with tools, but is otherwise secure.
Any thoughts post or email me.
Mike
Last edited by In Memoriam Citoriplus; Oct 17, 2008 at 06:16 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Rear bullet turn signals mod $20
Got these signals off of ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310085678851&sspagenam e=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&viewitem=
Needed a longer 3/8" bolt to mount these to the very rear of the strut. Also used a 3/8" nut that cost 10 cents as a spacer as the fancy chrome one I bought was too wide and I don't ahve a machine shop here at home. Took off the old super lollipop signals and took off the connectors from the taillight. Had to add a little bit of wire from the old signals to the new ones so it would reach the plug in the taillight. Crimped it together with butt connectors and ran the wiring. Plugged it in and off I went. The longer bolts I got for the mounting of the signals were free from a custom shop near here. $20 plus and outrageous $12 to ship 2 miles as the guy would not let mne pick it up. Still a deal for relocated signal.
$40 attitude stick made by shoptroll (a banned user who is on a nother site now) I already ahd the sideplates so I had him fashion the style of sissybar I wanted and paint it black. Shipping put it jsut over $50 as he lives across the country, but another nice cheap mod. To see pics search my threads of if you want more info feel free to PM me.
Got these signals off of ebay.
Needed a longer 3/8" bolt to mount these to the very rear of the strut. Also used a 3/8" nut that cost 10 cents as a spacer as the fancy chrome one I bought was too wide and I don't ahve a machine shop here at home. Took off the old super lollipop signals and took off the connectors from the taillight. Had to add a little bit of wire from the old signals to the new ones so it would reach the plug in the taillight. Crimped it together with butt connectors and ran the wiring. Plugged it in and off I went. The longer bolts I got for the mounting of the signals were free from a custom shop near here. $20 plus and outrageous $12 to ship 2 miles as the guy would not let mne pick it up. Still a deal for relocated signal.
$40 attitude stick made by shoptroll (a banned user who is on a nother site now) I already ahd the sideplates so I had him fashion the style of sissybar I wanted and paint it black. Shipping put it jsut over $50 as he lives across the country, but another nice cheap mod. To see pics search my threads of if you want more info feel free to PM me.
Last edited by anubisss; Nov 18, 2008 at 01:01 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
If you are in need of stainless steel items like nuts, bolts, washers and pins or the like try a sail boat or marina shop. Anything near the water, especially salt water, has got to be stainless.
Danny D
Danny D
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 574
Likes: 5
From: walpole, ma.
actually a better place is bolt depot:
chrome, stainless, blackened......good site quick ship and easy to navigate
http://www.boltdepot.com/Chrome-nuts-and-bolts.aspx
chrome, stainless, blackened......good site quick ship and easy to navigate
http://www.boltdepot.com/Chrome-nuts-and-bolts.aspx
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
Jak,
Thanks for the info on boltdepot.com. I added them to my favorites.
Danny
Thanks for the info on boltdepot.com. I added them to my favorites.
Danny
Last edited by Danny D; Dec 10, 2010 at 04:35 PM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,592
Likes: 6
From: Florida
A real simple cheap mod for the softail I'm ridin'.
As you put more and more miles on your softail, if it does not have a simple thing installed, the shifter will get tight bacause of grit and rust and lack of fresh grease.A quick fix is to take it apart and clean and regrease....or....
Take it apart and clean it.
Drill a #3 hole in the frame tube where the forward controls "shifter splined shaft" goes through.
Tap that hole with a 1/4"-28 tap and de-burr.
Install a 1/4"-28 zirc fitting.
Be sure to get a very short threaded fitting or you will need a washer....like me...LOL
You can go one step better on this and grind a small groove around in line with the fitting. It's not mandatory, but makes it easier to put the grease in.
Sorry, no pics yet. My digi cam took a crap and my phone cam sux!
As you put more and more miles on your softail, if it does not have a simple thing installed, the shifter will get tight bacause of grit and rust and lack of fresh grease.A quick fix is to take it apart and clean and regrease....or....
Take it apart and clean it.
Drill a #3 hole in the frame tube where the forward controls "shifter splined shaft" goes through.
Tap that hole with a 1/4"-28 tap and de-burr.
Install a 1/4"-28 zirc fitting.
Be sure to get a very short threaded fitting or you will need a washer....like me...LOL
You can go one step better on this and grind a small groove around in line with the fitting. It's not mandatory, but makes it easier to put the grease in.
Sorry, no pics yet. My digi cam took a crap and my phone cam sux!
DIY Cheap Mods