Found 2 Allens

[dynageno]

While making repairs on V's Shovel yesterday, we found 2 Allen bolts missing from the back chain sprocket. The other 3 were loose-not good! The vibration shakes everything loose at higher RPM's. Gonna go pick up a set today and use locktite this time...

[LittleBear]

If you can add lock washers also. Manual says red for the sprocket blots on my Heritage, but my brother only uses blue on his Shovel's rear sprocket. He has never had an issue.

Wow,,,how long have they been on that sprocket?

Seems like there is something more than vibration going on.

Were they a fine thread or course thread with lock nuts?

[dynageno]

Thanx littlebear. I noticed the bolts were a little short and didn't go all the way threw the Nylocks.

[dynageno]

I think they are course thread with nylocks. Been on there about a year at least!

Oh,..Allens....I thought you said that you found two aliens. Carry on.

[LittleBear]

Originally Posted by dynageno

I think they are course thread with nylocks. Been on there about a year at least!

I would replace all of the bolts. The ones that were loose were stressed and worn I am sure. Get ones long enough to have at least 2 threads sticking out the other side of the nylock nuts. Make sure they are Grade 8 bolts, most allens are. Do not use stainless steel.

[dynageno]

Originally Posted by GrayRider

Oh,..Allens....I thought you said that you found two aliens. Carry on.

Well gray, they could have been Alien Allen's!

I saw after I posted that that you said it didn't look like the threads went all the way into the nylocks.

It sure would be valuable to know if they sheared off from being stressed by being over torqued or just rattled loose and fell off.

[LittleBear]

Oh, and if you can find some with a unthreaded section to go through the sprocket section into the hub, that is good. Threads reduce the shear stress a bolt can handle.

[dynageno]

They weren't sheared, maybe too short though! She did say she felt a vibration a couple of weeks ago in the rear of her bike! I bet that was it!

[LittleBear]

Next time she feels a unusual vibration on that bike Geno, stop and inspect it. Shovels shake stuff off, especially if you ride them over 3k RPM.
Shock bolts, fender strut bolts, sprocket bots, all can come loose and cause problems. Take care of that woman would you. She takes care of you.

[dynageno]

Well if she quit riding at 85 miles an hour, things wouldn't shake off! It runs good at 75, any more and it gets a steady vibration. But I'll check it out next time...

[LittleBear]

Originally Posted by dynageno

Well if she quit riding at 85 miles an hour, things wouldn't shake off! It runs good at 75, any more and it gets a steady vibration. But I'll check it out next time...

Well, if you took care of her, maybe she would not need that steady vibration at 85 so often. No wonder she does not want to sell that Shovel.

[dynageno]

Ouch, low blow man!