Bolt size for support bracket

[Tonckawa]

Sorry, but I cannot find on the forums or in the service manual about the bolt size for the support bracket. Just bought saddle bags.

I am looking for the length and diameter of the bolts you must remove from the chrome piece to mount a support bracket for saddle bags. I found some good galvanized 1/4" pipe in my backyard and intend on using that for support brackets and I need to go buy longer bolts and nuts to make it all work. Mainly wondering about the diameter. Of course I will heat up and flatten the ends where it will mount to the bike, just need to know how the diameter of a bolt to buy while I am at Home Depot today. Buying Chrome paint as well while I am at it.

Also, if you know the length of the bracket itself, I could cut it to that length instead of measuring what I think the length should be looking at the picture I found on-line. Thanks.

I found this article that Jonathan posted a while back adn I and going to try that:

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/forum ... -made.html

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Tonckawa

Of course I will heat up and flatten the ends where it will mount to the bike, just need to know how the diameter of a bolt to buy while I am at Home Depot today. Buying Chrome paint as well while I am at it.

I don't have a good feeling about this.
Using galvanized metal on a bike is.....mmmmm....cheesy. I don't think you will like the results.

Your flattened pipe end will be MUCH fatter that the "normal" bracket mount.....which goes UNDER the chrome side piece.
All this will not work well with a rear rack, should you want one later.

As for the bolt, remove one of the existing ones. That will give you the size (diameter) but you're gonna have to guess at the length.

[Tonckawa]

Actually, I have decided to head to Home Depot after I get off work today and buy those 3/8" steel tubes described in the article above and follow those instructions. I did think about the disimiliar metals with galvanized and chrome. Would rust a whole lot faster too.

[jonathan180iq]

If you remove more than one rear bolt at a time you're going to have a hard time lining it all up again and getting everything seated properly.

Make sure that you do one bolt at a time. That way, you won't be fighting the rear fender and frame to all line up again.

No one will ever see your brackets. Just paint them black.

[Badbob]

[Tonckawa]

Great picture Badbob. That is exactly one I am going to do. I have already bought a couple of 1/2" steel tubes and a propane torch. Measure it up as necessary. Already had some primer and gloss black paint so I bought some denatured alcohol to get that preservative crap off there. Hopefully it will look just like yours when completed.

I have saddle bags and windshield bought and on their way. I think I MIGHT do a sissy bar next or the tach mod. Thanks again for the pictures. That helps. and the one bolt at a time advise. Thanks Jonathan.

Finally got my cert of origin today and got it registered. Now I am legal.