Upper shock sleeve bolt

[FXR2]

My 1999 FXR2 uses 1/2 inch hex head sleeve bolts (or also known as sex bolts) at the top of the shock mount. These have no threads on the outside of the 1/2 inch diameter shaft but are partially drilled and threaded inside. They go through the shock eye and strut, then butt against the fender, where a smaller hole allows a smaller male screw to thread into it from inside the fender.

My question is this: I'd like to replace these original, zinc-plated sleeve bolts (they're looking rather cruddy) with (preferably) a chrome allen head/button head sleeve bolt of the same dimensions. However, I can't even find a direct replacement, much less a chrome plated one. Has anybody ever found a suitable upgrade for this hardware? Thanks.

[tony g]

Originally Posted by FXR2

My 1999 FXR2 uses 1/2 inch hex head sleeve bolts (or also known as sex bolts) at the top of the shock mount. These have no threads on the outside of the 1/2 inch diameter shaft but are partially drilled and threaded inside. They go through the shock eye and strut, then butt against the fender, where a smaller hole allows a smaller male screw to thread into it from inside the fender.

My question is this: I'd like to replace these original, zinc-plated sleeve bolts (they're looking rather cruddy) with (preferably) a chrome allen head/button head sleeve bolt of the same dimensions. However, I can't even find a direct replacement, much less a chrome plated one. Has anybody ever found a suitable upgrade for this hardware? Thanks.

if you can't find any how about getting a std set chromed ?

[blackjackcustms]

Originally Posted by FXR2

My 1999 FXR2 uses 1/2 inch hex head sleeve bolts (or also known as sex bolts) at the top of the shock mount. These have no threads on the outside of the 1/2 inch diameter shaft but are partially drilled and threaded inside. They go through the shock eye and strut, then butt against the fender, where a smaller hole allows a smaller male screw to thread into it from inside the fender.

My question is this: I'd like to replace these original, zinc-plated sleeve bolts (they're looking rather cruddy) with (preferably) a chrome allen head/button head sleeve bolt of the same dimensions. However, I can't even find a direct replacement, much less a chrome plated one. Has anybody ever found a suitable upgrade for this hardware? Thanks.

I used chrome EVO head bolts. They have the same diameter dimensions, you just have to adjust the length. They even take the same inner fasteners, and come in a variety of flavors.

[FXR2]

Originally Posted by blackjackcustms

I used chrome EVO head bolts. They have the same diameter dimensions, you just have to adjust the length. They even take the same inner fasteners, and come in a variety of flavors.

Good idea that I hadn't thought of. Thanks.

[chengdave2003]

I bought a couple of 1/2" grade 8 bolts from NAPA about 4 inches long or so. I cut off the head, and faced the bolt where the head was and drilled and tapped that end 3/8"-16 female thread. The threaded end I left as is, but shortened the amount of threads. I have the the shock side held in place with a chromed acorn nut and a chromed flat washer on each side of the shock; inside the fender I have a grade 5 bolt and washer holding it in place. All held together and locked with blue Loctite. Looks and works great. I've got a lathe, so the facing, drilling and tapping was no big deal.

If you wanted to go this route with Allen head bolts, it would just be a matter of threading both ends the appropriate sizes.

Dave

[FXR2]

Originally Posted by chengdave2003

I bought a couple of 1/2" grade 8 bolts from NAPA about 4 inches long or so. I cut off the head, turned down the shaft and threaded it 3/8"-16 male thread on one end and drilled the other end and did a 5/16"-18 female threads. I have the the shock side held in place with a chromed acorn nut and a chromed flat washer on each side of the shock; inside the fender I have a grade 5 bolt and washer holding it in place. Looks and works great. I've got a lathe, so the turning and threading was no big deal.

If you wanted to go this route with Allen head bolts, it would just be a matter of threading both ends the appropriate sizes.

Dave

Problem is I don't have access to the machine tools you do. Sounds like you have essentially converted a bolt into a shock stud, which would be fine--it surprises me that nothing like this is available on the aftermarket. I've found exactly this for older bikes.

Lately I have found chrome, grade 8, 1/2" allen head bolts 3 1/2" long for a good price that I'm thinking of having bored and threaded female 3/8-16 to match what I've got now. That would give me what I'm looking for assuming I can find a machine shop to do this for a reasonable price.

Yeah, if I had my own machine shop this would be alot easier. Thanks for the response, though.

[chengdave2003]

That would be quite easy to do (your way). If you want to ship your bolts to me I'll drill and tap them. You'll want to get bolts with the longest unthreaded body that you can get (the part that goes through the shock and frame). You actually don't need male threads at all.

Or I can do it the way I did mine. I'll buy the bolts and prepare them. I bought the chromed washers and acorn nuts at Ace Hardware.

I would just want the cost of materials (if appropriate), shipping and whatever it's worth to you (or nothing....I'm really not doing this for the money - the extra money just helps pay for the tooling, etc.). If you're interested write to me at daveyoung(at)frontiernet(dot)net. No hard feelings if you don't want to, just trying to help out....

Here's what mine looks like installed...I didn't take any pictures of them before they were actually installed (really bad photo, but you get the gist).

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...tInstalled.jpg

Dave

[FXR2]

Chengdave, thanks for the offer, but I think I'm going to use Evo head bolts like Blackjackcustms said (thanks, BJC). Since I can do that quite easily and cheaply, I looked into it and he's right--the head bolts make a near-perfect substitute. And at only $5 each from the dealer, this is also quite reasonable. I can tell the lower ones (outer Evo head bolt, short, chrome) will need to be shortened a bit -1/4 inch or so- but that's easy to do. The top ones (inner Evo head bolt, long, zinc) appear to be perfect length as is. Since only the short, outer bolts (going on the shock bottoms) are chrome, I'm going to use some HD head bolt covers to dress the ends up a bit.

Thanks again all for your help.

[chengdave2003]

No problem...I'm glad it worked out for you....

Dave

[FXR2]

About my upper shock bolt question: Evo head bolts make great shock bolts. The long ones go on the upper shock mount, the short ones go on the lower shock mount. They will need to be trimmed a bit--I used a pipe/tubing cutter and took 5/16" off the uppers and 1/4" off the lowers. It was easy. Careful not to trim the lower bolts net size because they aren't drilled and tapped all the way. Trim them to fit the swingarm shock mount ears exactly and you'll only have about two threads and then the bottom of the tapped hole left. Don't ask me how I know this. Leave about 1/4" extending thrugh to the inside of the swingarm and use a 1/2" chrome spacer 3/8" long over them before the lock washer and 3/8-16" bolt, 3/4" long. All hardware is chrome, of course. These are the measurements I used on the bottom--there are a bunch of combinations of spacer/washer/bolt lengths that would work.

The upper ones are simpler--just cut 5/16" off the length and you're good to go. The only washer I used was the 1/8" one (already there-stock) between the inner part of the shock head and the strut cover on the bike.

These bolts are only $5 each from HD but the short ones are chrome where the long ones are zinc-plated. You won't see the heads when on, however, because after you have the head bolts mounted in your shocks, you can dress them up even more with one of any number of head bolt covers.

Anyway, hope this helps somebody down the line.

[FlamedFXR]

I am in exactly the same situation. I just ordered the bolts from harley... 4 bucks apiece and having them chromed. The only parts on the back of my 92 fxlr that arent shiny are the upper shock bolts and axle nuts. For the axle nuts I bought softail front axle nut covers and will shim the inside and add another set screw.