Rear crash bars for 1965 flh won't fit (VTWIN)

[Semper Fi]

I'm in the process of putting my 65 FLH back together and had bought VTWIN's rear crash bar set (pn 51-0928) and when I went to put them on, the shock stud is too small to screw into the threads on the crash bar. I do see that VTWIN sells a stud kit (pn 54-0409) that looks like it might be the solution, but nowhere do I find any supporting information that this is what I need to mount the crash bars. I searched the forum, but couldn't find any hits. I can't be the only one to run into this problem, can I? Need a little bit of help here, if you can.

Thanks,
SF

[koanes]

The 65's had 3/8-24 threads, 66-67 used 7/16-20. You will need to change the studs to make the crash bars fit.

[Semper Fi]

Any idea where I can find this? The VTWIN 54-0409 shows the threads to be 5/8X18 and 1/2X20. I can't find anything online that has the 7/16X20 thread.

SF

[Semper Fi]

I did what I should have done first....mic'ed the crash bar and it turns out to be 1/2X20. This means the VTWIN 54-0409 and oem 54515-65 are the correct sizes. I have been told that the early 65's had the smaller outside threads and later in the model year was changed. Oh my, what a pleasure to restore this year.

SF

p.s. Found the best price at M&M Cycles in Ohio.

[koanes]

Sorry Semper Fi. That is the second time I called it as the 7/16 size knowing full well it is 1/2. You would think after I was corrected the first time I'd remember. I looked for a long time to find a decent original set of bars for my 65.

[Semper Fi]

Not a problem. Thanks for trying.

SF

[upsrod]

My '65, made Aug. 11 of 1964 has the 1/2 upper stud size.

[Semper Fi]

Thanks, Rod. Mine must have been earlier because the stud is smaller.

SF

[Semper Fi]

Still having problems.... got the newer studs from VTWIN and they are 1/2X20. The bars, also from VTWIN, won't accept the studs. I can't figure out what is going on. They seem to have a different pitch. I thought the bars had the 20 pitch, but they don't. HELP, please.

SF

[vph-d]

Can you fit a thread pitch gauge into threaded hole in the bars? No telling what V-Twin used for internal threads.
VPH-D

[Semper Fi]

Can you fit a thread pitch gauge into threaded hole in the bars? No telling what V-Twin used for internal threads.
VPH-D

Yes, I'll try that today, but I would have thought that since both products were made by them, that they would be compatible with each other. Guess I was wrong!

SF

[billpedalino]

Maybe a Helicoil is the answer ?

[Semper Fi]

The problem has been solved. I chased the threads on the studs and the bars. Seems the chrome was enough to prevent the threading between the two. I tried this with a cheap set of Japanese taps and dies, but they weren't accurate enough to get the desired effect. I took them over to a buddy with a good set and that fixed it.

SF

[terry01]

Question... How can you tell the day your bike was made? I just acquired a '65 and am very curious.

[Semper Fi]

I don't have any way of knowing that, I'm afraid.

SF