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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through March 23, 2007 » Changing torx bolts to metric or SAE. How? « Previous Next »

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Ed219
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 04:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I really hate these torx bolts. They seem really easy to strip. I was wondering had anyone switch to a normal bolts? I want to convert my most commonly used torx bolts like:

Inspection Cover
Air box
Lower fairing
and even primary cover( I know those are Hex)
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 06:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

No problem at all.

I have changed out a lot of them.

The most common torx is T-27. If memory serves, ( always a bit of long shot:-), most of these are 1/4 -20 thread, that are commonly available. I like to substitute stainless steel allen heads:


Here are some 10-32 s/s allens replacing the rivets on the points cover. I just replace them little by little, as I do one little job or another.


cc


Unfortunately, the larger t-30 and t-40 size screws that hold on the rotors and sprocket are specialty parts, and no one has been able to find replacements, at least to my knowledge. Here is what they look like:


ff


If anyone knows how to get these, kindly post.

It would be great if one of our brothers with a CNC machine could turn out a couple hundred of these fasteners for sale to members of the group.



(Message edited by gentleman_jon on March 21, 2007)
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Ed219
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 07:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What is the length of those 1/4-20 bolts?

Thanks for the help
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Teeps
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 08:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The problem is not the bolts, but the tool used to install/remove them.

Buy professional grade tools i.e. Snap-on, Mac, Matco or such, apply a little heat to the fastener about to be removed. Problem solved.

Another mechanic's trick is tapping the end of the fastener, about to be removed, with a hard faced hammer.

(Message edited by teeps on March 21, 2007)
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Ducxl
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 09:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The problem is not the bolts, but the tool used to install/remove them

+1...i'm using the German brand "Wiha" torx wrenches.I can easily tell the difference between high and poor quality wrenches.
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Nutsnbolt
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 09:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool= all&item_ID=1346&group_ID=11463&store=snapon-store &dir=catalog

This may be the answer to the rear sprocket bolts problem. It's the removal of these bolts that is the problem. I have gone through 4 Craftsman T45's and really pissed the guys off at Sears. Oh well. I think this Snap on one is more for the removal than anything. And that's really the problem. The removal of said named bolts. I think a good T45 and a T27 would be all you'd need as far as high end Torx. Call it a day.

Mark
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Tpoppa
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 10:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I bought a set of Husky (Lowe's Brand) Torx Bits 3 years ago when I bought my XB9S, I've never stripped one. Make sure you are not over-tourque-ing.
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Ed219
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 12:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have already stripped one of my primary cover bolts. It was corroded from the salty air here in Hawaii. Plus I am not sure if I torqued it to much or the Craftsman Hex bits I have are little bit off. I got few Questions

Since a XB motor is a sportster motor. What year sportster primary bolt set should match a XB?

What are the size bolts for the primary cover? I would like to change them all out for a stainless set.





(Message edited by ed219 on March 21, 2007)
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Djkaplan
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 01:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Next time your in a Harley shop, check the Wall of Chrome. They used to have Allen head fasteners in little kits to replace some of the Torx fasteners on Sportsters and such.

Screaming Eagle fasteners...
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Jackbequick
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 02:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If some one really wants good hardware here is a place (Reid Supply) that has good fasteners. This is their page for Socket Head Cap Screws:

https://reidecom.reidtool.com/xephr/edit/CATEGORY? query=*START_WITH_ID=5785

The Brighton and Holo-Krome cap screws there are all Grade 8 screws, just like most or all of the originals used on the Buells and MoCo products.

If you go out and find otherwise identical replacement screws but they are sort of generic or like Grade 5 screws, it is only a matter of time before they fail. Especially if you are trying to torque them to specs.

Those screws above are like 20 to 40 cents each in boxes of 100. But they are worth the money. If the first thing that crossed your mined was "40 cents!, I can do better than that at Home Depot!" then you don't get it yet.

I would be nice to see someone put together a replacement screw kit with good quality, grade 8 screws of the right types, sizes, and lengths.

But some of the Buell screws with captive washers and special one-time use seals are simply not to be found on the fastener market.

Jack
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Ed219
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 09:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I am gonna go with grade 8 fasteners. But, what is the size bolt i am looking for? Am i looking for coarse or fine tread? I am just looking to replace the primary cover fasteners at this time.

I also saw this kit on ebay. Does this kit from a 04 sportster fit a 03xb9r:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harley-SPORTSTER-04-Chrome-Cam-Primary-Bolt-Set_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35572QQhashZitem140099316489QQitemZ140099316489QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohosting

(Message edited by ed219 on March 21, 2007)
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Ridrx
Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have found the use of an impact driver ( the type you strike with a hammer) to eliminate stripped torx heads.: )
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Jackbequick
Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 09:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The fasteners in that kit are all 1/4-20 (1/4" diameter, 20 threads per inch) of two different head styles and various lengths.

But they say nothing about what grade the bolts are. In a world where the vast majority of fasteners are imported and of marginal to poor quality, I'd really like to know what the grade specs on the hardware is.

Maybe a call to the company would let you find out:

http://www.gardner-westcott.com/motorcycle_bolts.h tm

"Call us toll-free at 1-800-897-5025"

That kit has looks to have washers that are the right size to fit in the recesses in the case covers. That's a good thing because those are non-standard, reduced O.D., washers and not easily bought anywhere.

Jack
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