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Holy Bolt Batman!

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014.

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  1. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    Dig this fellas. Here is a photo of the left and right lower steering stem fork tube pinch bolts on my Fatboy. I developed a slow speed wobble with hands off grips. I decided to perform the fall away adjustment and when I went to loosen them they were just sitting in their holes broken. Anyone ever see this? Bad bump caused? Heavy from brake caused?

    [​IMG]
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    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014
    #1
  3. Sleepy

    Sleepy Well-Known Member

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    Never seen that on a Harley pinch bolt. What grade fastener is that?. This may sound a little stupid but there is a chance that they were over tightened at some time. I don't think your threads were stripped, hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the bolt broke right at the point where it threaded in. that's where the most stress is on the bolt. If it's a stainless bolt they can be a bit more brittle.
    Sleepy, Apr 23, 2014
    #2
  4. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    Not stainless and not stripped always torqued. All I can think is a bad bump broke them. However I am a heavy front brake user but never broke any on my old Japanese hot rods


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    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014
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  5. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Were those Harley installed bolts or ones you may have replaced?
    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2014
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  6. Sleepy

    Sleepy Well-Known Member

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    I use the front brake very hard as well, I've never had a bolt break in place like that. It must have been one hell of a bump and even so, they shouldn't snap like that. I've seen bolts snap like that from vibration from machinery at work using the wrong grade of fastener but that pinch bolt being in a critical spot you'd think they'd have a grade 8 fastener in there
    Sleepy, Apr 23, 2014
    #5
  7. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I agree with the grade 8 suggestion. Make sure that when you replace them that you use only grade 8 bolts.
    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2014
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  8. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    Not grade 8 either. Probably grade C for China.


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    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014
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  9. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    The stock bolts had 2 marks on the head, I've never seen that. My local hardware had only grade 5 that I'm putting in to get me back on the road. I'm going to order some 8's


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    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014
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  10. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    You check with your HD dealer to see if they carry them.
    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2014
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  11. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    I found grade 7. The torque is only 35-40 ft lbs so I'm staying with the 7's


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    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014
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  12. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Good idea
    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2014
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  13. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    fuggin noo yawk pot holes I tell ya, it's da pot holes, bada bing!
    hotroadking, Apr 23, 2014
    #12
  14. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    You are probably right


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    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014
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  15. hogcowboy

    hogcowboy Active Member

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    Two at the same time though??? I'm thinking they were China crap and were over torqued some time back. Just enough to crack then the pot holes helped them along.
    hogcowboy, Apr 23, 2014
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  16. Sleepy

    Sleepy Well-Known Member

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    did a quick google search and it appears that this is not uncommon on FL's
    Sleepy, Apr 23, 2014
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  17. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Stress cracks in the bolts then
    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2014
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  18. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    I have never seen nor can find bolts that have 2 slashes on the head. The stock bolts have 2 slashes on them. Who knows what grade that could be


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    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014
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  19. Sleepy

    Sleepy Well-Known Member

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    Sleepy, Apr 23, 2014
    #18
  20. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    The stock bolts are not on this diagram you sent . Upon scrutiny These are not stainless.


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    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2014
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  21. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2014
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