Ace Hardware is your friend when all the motorcycle dealers turn their backs on you.
I finally got around to doing some much needed maintenance on my bike. Normally I like to change the fork fluid at the beginning of the riding season but this year I was delayed. Well I got the forks all topped off with new fluid and everything almost back together when it happened.
I torqued the lower bolt to 23 lb. ft. and moved on to the top bolt. It made contact with the fork but didn't seem to tighten. I thought it might be starting to strip so I backed it out and this is what I found, see attachments.
If you look close you'll see that the bolt decided it was time for a stretch. I called two shops but they did not have the bolts in stock. That's when I made the trip to Ace Hardware as I wanted to go riding. The correct bolt is a M8-1.25x32 flange bolt and the closest Ace had was M8-1.25x35 and the cost for 2 at Ace was less than a single bolt at either shop. The only difference is that the Ace bolts were small head which simply means the head was 10mm instead of 12mm like the factory bolts.
Once I got them home it was time for a little shortening on the grinder. 3mm didn't take long to get rid of. I dressed the end of the bolt threads with a file and then ran them through a die to ensure a clean thread.
You can see the results, good as new.
As a note these were the factory original bolts and had been in and out numerous times for tire and brake pad changes. I don't know why it waited for today to stretch but it did.
After things where finally back together it was time for a ride. I rode up to Newcomb's Ranch for a sandwich and something to wash it down. Then it was across the mountain toward Wrightwood. Just as I came around a bend, where you can see the Palmdale area what I thought was a doe ran out in front of me. After hitting the brakes and taking a closer look as it scrambled up the hill side I saw that it was not a deer but instead was a big horn sheep. :bow1:
I've lived in this area all my life and new they were around but never before got to see any in person or up closed so this was a real treat for me. What a day, Ace Hardware comes to the rescue and a big horn sheep all in the same day.
I almost forgot, for those who might feel that that Ace Hardware bolt may not be up to the task let me set your mind at ease. The bolts are class 8.8 so I'm sure they will do just fine. I may just leave them instead of spend the money Honda whats for their version.
Honda part - #20 on the drawing, BOLT, FLANGE (8X32), part number - 90131-KBV-003, required - 002, manufacture cost $3.85, Service Honda price $3.01
Ace Hardware - $1.30 each and a little time grinding off 3mm
I finally got around to doing some much needed maintenance on my bike. Normally I like to change the fork fluid at the beginning of the riding season but this year I was delayed. Well I got the forks all topped off with new fluid and everything almost back together when it happened.
I torqued the lower bolt to 23 lb. ft. and moved on to the top bolt. It made contact with the fork but didn't seem to tighten. I thought it might be starting to strip so I backed it out and this is what I found, see attachments.
If you look close you'll see that the bolt decided it was time for a stretch. I called two shops but they did not have the bolts in stock. That's when I made the trip to Ace Hardware as I wanted to go riding. The correct bolt is a M8-1.25x32 flange bolt and the closest Ace had was M8-1.25x35 and the cost for 2 at Ace was less than a single bolt at either shop. The only difference is that the Ace bolts were small head which simply means the head was 10mm instead of 12mm like the factory bolts.
Once I got them home it was time for a little shortening on the grinder. 3mm didn't take long to get rid of. I dressed the end of the bolt threads with a file and then ran them through a die to ensure a clean thread.
You can see the results, good as new.
As a note these were the factory original bolts and had been in and out numerous times for tire and brake pad changes. I don't know why it waited for today to stretch but it did.
After things where finally back together it was time for a ride. I rode up to Newcomb's Ranch for a sandwich and something to wash it down. Then it was across the mountain toward Wrightwood. Just as I came around a bend, where you can see the Palmdale area what I thought was a doe ran out in front of me. After hitting the brakes and taking a closer look as it scrambled up the hill side I saw that it was not a deer but instead was a big horn sheep. :bow1:
I've lived in this area all my life and new they were around but never before got to see any in person or up closed so this was a real treat for me. What a day, Ace Hardware comes to the rescue and a big horn sheep all in the same day.
I almost forgot, for those who might feel that that Ace Hardware bolt may not be up to the task let me set your mind at ease. The bolts are class 8.8 so I'm sure they will do just fine. I may just leave them instead of spend the money Honda whats for their version.
Honda part - #20 on the drawing, BOLT, FLANGE (8X32), part number - 90131-KBV-003, required - 002, manufacture cost $3.85, Service Honda price $3.01
Ace Hardware - $1.30 each and a little time grinding off 3mm