Why all the damn allen head and torx bolts on HD

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Oct 4, 2011 | 09:36 PM

#11

drukanfu

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Joined: Aug 2008

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From: N.E. Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailrider 1

whatever happened to regular SAE bolts ? Why all the Allen head and torx head bolts ?

The damn Allen head small screws are the worse after a few years on your bike the damn heads rust and then strip out when you try to remove them.

What would you prefer ?.......Hexheads that wrenchs slip off and skin your knuckles ! or maybe Phillips heads that round out ? or better yet Slotted heads so your screwdriver can slip out and gouge the paint or chrome ?

Oct 4, 2011 | 09:51 PM

#12

peddler

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Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 1,582

Likes: 72

From: North East

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailrider 1

Sounds like a metallurgy issue more than a bolt type issue. Someone on this forum believes low grade phillips head/slotted head bolts don't strip as easily as low grade allen head or torx head bolts? I don't think so.

Oct 4, 2011 | 09:53 PM

#13

Sailrider 1

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Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2010

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Quote:

Originally Posted by drukanfu

I would prefer not have the low grade Chinese Allen heads that strip out the first time you try to remove them. I have started replacing these chrome POS bolts with stainless steel. the torx heads aren't so bad but the Allen heads suck big time. and I have never had any issues with hex heads in 30 years of wrenching.

Oct 4, 2011 | 10:04 PM

#14

drukanfu

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From: N.E. Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailrider 1

Stainless steel is nice, but they don't have near the draw strength of Hardened steel which just like the fine blades of yesteryear had a tendency to rust because of higher carbon metal. I'd rather have a bolt rust and replace it than than have it snap off........from my 36 years as a wrench.

Oct 4, 2011 | 10:12 PM

#15

Sailrider 1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by drukanfu

I would agree with you if we were actually talking about hardened steel. But we are talking about pot metal chromed steel. Most of the small Allen heads that are attaching the accessories are now low grade soft steel, that is why hardened Allen wrenches round the heads off so easily.

Oct 4, 2011 | 10:14 PM

#16

peddler

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Joined: Oct 2006

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From: North East

Quote:

Originally Posted by drukanfu

No argument here that the tensile of stainless replacement bolts is less than hardened steel but I've got to ask the question: The tensile may be less but is it sufficient to provide sufficient clamping pressure? How many forum members have actually snapped off the heads of stainless allen bolts without significantly over torquing the bolt?

Anybody?

Oct 4, 2011 | 10:23 PM

#17

steelerdude1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 4,618

Likes: 290

From: Johnstown, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailrider 1

I would prefer not have the low grade Chinese Allen heads that strip out the first time you try to remove them. I have started replacing these chrome POS bolts with stainless steel. the torx heads aren't so bad but the Allen heads suck big time. and I have never had any issues with hex heads in 30 years of wrenching.

I have had sooooo many allen head bolts strip. I would rather have regular hex head bolts! On very rare occasions I have had a rusty one round out, but that is very rare.

Oct 4, 2011 | 11:29 PM

#18

Texas Fat Boy

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 10,045

Likes: 36

From: ST. Louis

DUDES, it's all about the install at the factory. Those bolts stay on the power wrench to install.
1 hand holding running the wrench and the other had reaching and inserting the bolt.