Nut cage, Carriage Bolt, and Washer mod With pics and measurements - finally!

[Pappy!]

After searching all over the place for exact information on these subjects I decided it was time to provide it all in one place.

Bike is a STANDARD (no bags) with PROGRESSIVE 11 1/2" shocks on it. For reference only.

I pulled the tire for a tire change. Noticed the right side nut had been rubbing the tire. Rarely ride two up.
Tire being removed is a Toyo Proxes 205/55-16
Tire being installed is a Vredestein Sportrac 3 in 205/60-16 The new tire (uninflated) is around 8.5" at its widest part. A little wider and a little taller than the Toyo. Had to make the above changes. Yes, I know the width of the tire will change when inflated. Just stating the facts, man!

Carriage bolts used were SS 5/16x18 x 2 1/2" (Valkyrie Standard) No bags. Quantity 2
Chrome 5/16" flat washers. Quantity 2
Chrome 5/16x18 Acorn nuts. Quantity 2
3/8" SS flat washers for fender rail spacing. Quantity 4. Only used 2 on right side.
Nut cages had been removed already prior to photos.



This is the OEM measurement taken after nut cages were removed. Approx. 8 3/8" from the inside of the bolt to the inside of the opposite bolt.


Carriage bolts only. Measurements were approx. 8 11/16" bolt to bolt.


Added two SS 3/8" washers between the frame and the right side fender rail at location shown to space the fender out on right side only. Nothing was added to the left side as I was only rubbing on the right. Just slide the washers up there and hold them in place with the bolt. You may need to add washers on both sides. Your choice.


After fender washer modification/spacing. Measurements came out to approx. 8 7/8".

The 2 1/2"' SS carriage bolts required no modification or cutting to install the washer/acorn nut. Plenty of thread and engagement without a mechanical bind in the nut.

[Wewaman]

  Thanks Pappy     this needs to be put in Shoptalk
I will redo mine with what you did I like your way better
Thanks for all the sizes that makes it EASY 

Wewa

[Thunderbolt]

Good job on the pics.  When I did ours pictures were hard to locate. 

[0leman]

When I put my HydroEdge on several years ago, I had to add washers to like you showed to keep it from rubbing.   Caused issues with getting the trunk on (but got it back on).   The HydroEdge was a 205/65 series.  According to my measurements, it was 8 and 1/8 inches wide.  It did clear the swing arm, just barely.

Thought I read about it in ShopTalk.  Maybe wrong.

Strange how the standard width of 205 can vary as much as it does.  My present CT, 205/64/16 is a 1/4 inch narrower. 

[Pappy!]

Thanks!
Like a lot of us, I like to have what I need before I start a project. I did the searches and would always find something like "I did the washer mod" or "I installed carriage bolts" and in most cases you never knew the width of the tire, what version Valkyrie the job was being done on, whether it had bags or not, and almost never stated the lengths, types, and quantities of fasteners. Also wondered how much of a difference each change made so just documented everything along the way to give others a ballpark idea of what they need to do.

[Pappy!]

Got the new Vredestein Sportrac 3 mounted up.
Changed the left side bearing. Felt one spot in it every once in a while when I was rotating it by hand so better safe than sorry later.

[fudgie]

That looks like my tire! I just put it on monday night. Once rest of the bike is together I cant wait to try it out! Hopefully on sun if I feel good.

[Pappy!]

Are you missing a tire?? lol