So I have a 1967 Fj40 and was working on my rear lift up gate. I noticed the back panel on the inside was missing all but a few screws. I went to my local hardware store and found the ones I had were NOT M5x.8 nor were they anything standard. After doing some more research, and using my thread checker, I found mine were in fact M5x.9. This pitch went by way of the dodo bird as M5x.8 became ISO in 1968. So, that leaves us early cruiser owners with some oddballs scattered on our rigs.
I was initially going to tap mine with m6 but found that the heads were too large for the inside rear handle. They simply looked funky as they sat too high (they are countersunk heads). I searched high and low and only found one small vintage Japanese motorcycle shop offering them overseas. I looked at all the usual online nut and bolt shops and nobody had them...not even SOR. Everyone only offers M5x.8... trust me, I looked EVERYWHERE.
However, I noticed a guy selling some "remade" ones on ebay for like 5 bucks each. I decided to try and make some myself and found it to be incredibly easy. Here is how to do it on your own....
-Buy standard 10-24 screws in desired length and head type. This standard thread pitch is the closest to M5x.9.
-Buy a M5x.9 die on Amazon (they have them)
-Put the die in a vise upside down and clamp it down fairly tight. You need it upside down to completely re-thread the screw.
-Use cutting oil with the standard screws and start working in and backing it out until you finish. Take your time.
-It will not take much force but you will need to push down fairly hard
-NOTE: I used stainless and found it to be really soft.
Here are some pics:
Mine were located here....
Here is another look at the rear hatch. You need 8 screws for the cover and 2 for the handle...
Here is one of the old screws and my thread checker...
Note the die upside down. I am working the 10-24 screw into the M5x.9 die...
Here is the finished screw. The screw on the top is the one I made. It works flawlessly. I would recommend doing this for finish pieces and nothing substantial (i.e. engine parts, etc)...
Hope you guys like the thread!
-JV
I was initially going to tap mine with m6 but found that the heads were too large for the inside rear handle. They simply looked funky as they sat too high (they are countersunk heads). I searched high and low and only found one small vintage Japanese motorcycle shop offering them overseas. I looked at all the usual online nut and bolt shops and nobody had them...not even SOR. Everyone only offers M5x.8... trust me, I looked EVERYWHERE.
However, I noticed a guy selling some "remade" ones on ebay for like 5 bucks each. I decided to try and make some myself and found it to be incredibly easy. Here is how to do it on your own....
-Buy standard 10-24 screws in desired length and head type. This standard thread pitch is the closest to M5x.9.
-Buy a M5x.9 die on Amazon (they have them)
-Put the die in a vise upside down and clamp it down fairly tight. You need it upside down to completely re-thread the screw.
-Use cutting oil with the standard screws and start working in and backing it out until you finish. Take your time.
-It will not take much force but you will need to push down fairly hard
-NOTE: I used stainless and found it to be really soft.
Here are some pics:
Mine were located here....
Here is another look at the rear hatch. You need 8 screws for the cover and 2 for the handle...
Here is one of the old screws and my thread checker...
Note the die upside down. I am working the 10-24 screw into the M5x.9 die...
Here is the finished screw. The screw on the top is the one I made. It works flawlessly. I would recommend doing this for finish pieces and nothing substantial (i.e. engine parts, etc)...
Hope you guys like the thread!
-JV
I'm probably going to have to make a substitute to get me through.
