do i need a grade 8 bolt?

**3leggeddog** · 10-19-2006, 09:28 PM

well i pulled the r apart,and to my amazement i bent yet another bolt.i keep bending the one that goes through the top of the shock.at first we thought it was because it was stainless steel.so i replaced it with a stocker.bent that one.so i bought a brand new stock replacment,from honda.when i pulled it out,it was bent.WTF!should i put a grade 8 bolt form the hardware store in there?

anybody else bend these bolts?

**Unclediezel** · 10-20-2006, 01:38 AM

no.....................................

It is a much stronger bolt, which instead of bending the bolt , you will break the mount. Either the shock is too stiff , or Its Bottomed out, Find out whats wrong before blaming the Bolt itself.

**3leggeddog** · 10-20-2006, 05:34 PM

well i know i bottom it out every lap.but elka says that you should bottom out 2-3 times a lap,don't know exactly why,but they recommend it not be too stiff.i think the shock is doing it's job,don't know what else to do but buy a harder bolt.if i break the frame then we got real issues

**Dirtcrasher** · 10-20-2006, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by 3leggeddog

well i know i bottom it out every lap.but elka says that you should bottom out 2-3 times a lap,don't know exactly why,but they recommend it not be too stiff.i think the shock is doing it's job,don't know what else to do but buy a harder bolt.if i break the frame then we got real issues

Did the Elka shock require a smaller diameter bolt that doesn't fit well in the frame ears with a smaller shock collar ID? Are the frame ears in good shape or are the egg shaped? Grade 8 is harder and less mallable than lower grades and may snap rather than bend. Sounds like you really beat the snot outta this ATC, I like it

If your gonna launch it this much can the bolt diameter be stepped up to 10 or 12mm while the shock collar is bored out and the upper frame mount reinforced? How far are you launching and are you a big guy....

**SYKO** · 10-20-2006, 05:51 PM

I have a grade 8 in mine, your trike will break before that bolt does

**3leggeddog** · 10-20-2006, 06:43 PM

i weigh about 170,and the biggest jump i hit is a 70' table top.i do beat the crap outta it.

the elka didn't require any different bolt.all the stock stuff bolts right up to it.the frame is fine,not wallowed out.the only thing that is damaged is the bolt.

**84honda200s** · 10-20-2006, 06:48 PM

man i would use grade 8 bolt just to be safe. you may not need it but its still nice to have a bolt that will out last the shock its self. i use grade 8 bolts on everything

**IrvSLedman** · 10-20-2006, 08:04 PM

Idk but grade 8 is hard as hell, and i would much rather be replacing bolts then repairing a frame.. lol Idk why it would be just bending them though you arnt that heavy. You must really be beating the Tar outta it.. mabe you could just take it easier??

*3WW Star*-Yamahondaman · 10-20-2006, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by IrvSLedman

Idk but grade 8 is hard as hell, and i would much rather be replacing bolts then repairing a frame.. lol Idk why it would be just bending them though you arnt that heavy. You must really be beating the Tar outta it.. mabe you could just take it easier??

He CAN'T Take it Easy !!! this guy can RIDE !!!!! somebody needs to make him a 4130 Chromemolly Frame !!!!! HIT IT HARD AND........................
GIT IT RAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG...

**Derrick Adams** · 10-20-2006, 10:02 PM

I quickly bent my stainless bolt as well. I replaced it with the stocker and haven't checked it again since. I'll be tearing it down soon, so we'll see what mine looks like.

*3WW Star*-Yamahondaman · 10-20-2006, 10:05 PM

"ARP" Bolt's are STRONG !!! the Race Car stuff

**3leggeddog** · 10-20-2006, 11:11 PM

thanks ronnie!!

you guys know i can't take it easy,ride hard,or go home!!!

**84honda200s** · 10-20-2006, 11:24 PM

ride it like its stolen man!! give em hell!!

**Unclediezel** · 10-20-2006, 11:33 PM

This is the "Chain Vs The weakest link" Scenario. Think of it as a 12" diameter Ship Anchor chain, with a broken link. If you fix the link with fishing line, the chain will only support what the Fishing line will hold, regardless of how heavy the chain is. Im not familiar with elka's, but the "Extended" travel still has to be "Centered".If you are running a Fully compressed shock at Rest position, its not going to compress any further when you need it to. The purpose for "Bottoming it" is to make sure the oil or "Filling" is evenly distributed and not just stuck at the bottom. If you put a bullet-proof bolt in the mix--You will trash the frame, or at least severely "EGG" the mounting holes.

**Unclediezel** · 10-20-2006, 11:35 PM

Just really stupid question, but it needs to be asked,

Are the "Rebound Bumpers" in place?? Bottoming out is one thing, But "BAshing" the shock against its stops is something else.

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do i need a grade 8 bolt?