Fastener used on Dunlop Rim Lock

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ilikevelos

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Jul 7, 2009
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I can't find the old discarded Dunlop rim locks in my garage. Could anyone tell me the size thread and approximate length of the lock stud and nut so I can replicate on my commando. I don't use rim locks but in the quest for appearance of originality I want to put a dummy bolt in the rim lock hole before mounting my new road rider Mk2. Thanks in advance.
 
ilikevelos said:
I can't find the old discarded Dunlop rim locks in my garage. Could anyone tell me the size thread and approximate length of the lock stud and nut so I can replicate on my commando. I don't use rim locks but in the quest for appearance of originality I want to put a dummy bolt in the rim lock hole before mounting my new road rider Mk2. Thanks in advance.
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The bolt has an unthreaded lead, so, not likely you'll find a visual imposter.
 
It seems to measure up as 0.30" x 18 so is no ordinary bolt size. The nut has a 1/4" W hexagon.
 
ilikevelos said:
I can't find the old discarded Dunlop rim locks in my garage. Could anyone tell me the size thread and approximate length of the lock stud and nut so I can replicate on my commando. I don't use rim locks but in the quest for appearance of originality I want to put a dummy bolt in the rim lock hole before mounting my new road rider Mk2. Thanks in advance.
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Handle that by putting stainless bolt on lathe and turning lead. Thx.
 
L.A.B. said:
It seems to measure up as 0.30" x 18 so is no ordinary bolt size. The nut has a 1/4" W hexagon.
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Sounds like it might be 5/16 UNC which would have the same nut size as 1/4 W and a major diameter of .313. Don't know if that will fit hole in rim. Thx.
 
As the bolt in your case has no function and if you use stainless you can turn the bolt down to 0.3". The nut will still screw on and no need to enlarge the hole potentially leading to a rust issue and loss of chrome.
 
I have a stainless 5/16 x1 1/2 unc screw I will modify into a fake rim lock for appearance authenticity. Dont know if the dunlop was longer than that but as I recall fully threaded screws are difficult to find longer than 1 1/2 in. Personally I never use rimlocks on street bikes and rarely run a rear tire less than 32 psi. Best.
 
kommando said:
As the bolt in your case has no function and if you use stainless you can turn the bolt down to 0.3". The nut will still screw on and no need to enlarge the hole potentially leading to a rust issue and loss of chrome.
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Hole in my original rim was .312 and fit the 5/16 x 18 without need for modification. Rear wheel now has Roadrunner mounted and is back on the bike. As soon as I figure out why the assimilator is not working it is time to take it for a ride. Thanks all.
 
Mk 11 Roadriders front and back . Rear rim lock hole has 2 rubber strips glued into place , before the final rim band and tire . Rim hole sanded very smooth inside first . Seems fine , but I will follow this thread for aesthetic reasons .
 
Ah ha …… other people will look and say that’s authentic but wait, it’s stainless.
However in your head you will always no it’s fake and over time it will bother you more and more.
Your only solution to this increasing mental anguish is …… fit a rim lock
 
tribonnie said:
Ah ha …… other people will look and say that’s authentic but wait, it’s stainless.
However in your head you will always no it’s fake and over time it will bother you more and more.
Your only solution to this increasing mental anguish is …… fit a rim lock
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I wasn't going to be the one. 🤣Stainless visually differs from cad, chrome plating. Only to a metal guy. 👀
 
l routinely degloss stainless by beadblasting. I turns it to a dull grey color that fairly closely resembles old zinc or cadmium plate. I actually find that old cad and old zinc look very similar.

I have never restored a Norton old enough to have cadmium plate. Does anyone know when Norton converted over to zinc? It the u.s. cadmium plate is still available in areas that have aerospace industry.

As too deleting the rim lock, my aesthetic is to feely modify a bike for reliability or simplicity of maintenance and deleting the rim locks on street bikes is one of those mods. I have not used a rim lock since the first tire change on my z1 in 1975 and have never had a tube damaged by the rim slipping. To each their own.
 
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