1st...Does anyone know the size of the original bolts that hold rear axle and side rails together on a flexifoil?

2nd. Can you change the size of those bolts to a more readily available size (like american std. instead of metric)? Guess I would be worried about size difference leaving a little play in there wearing down the steel.

I want a longer bolt to hold a belly pan I made and to possibly try out a back rest made from PVC..If I like it, then I will have it fabricated "Popeye Style" out of SS or with keeclamp.

Have a great day! :wee:

I believe the rear axle bolts are 12mm. You should be able to get them in many different lengths. Most hardware stores will have these in stock. Home Depot, Lowes and the name brand stores won't carry them so don't bother with those places, instead look up your local hardware or nut/bolt/fastener store and they should have them in stock. They are pretty common. I believe the size you would need is a 12mm x 100mm (100mm is almost 4")

12mm was the most common of sizes on the earlier Peter Lynn and Flexifoil buggies. The issue you will have when you try to change them to SAE sizes is that you would have to re-thread the rear axle either by welding it shut and re-tapping it out or having a machined stud made by a machine shop that will bolt into the 12mm axle and then have the SAE bolt size on the outside. The reason you can't drive a 5/8" bolt in is because of the size and the threads, the 12mm thread will not mesh up with the SAE threads and it will sieze up or strip out.

The next problem you would have is that you would need to change your wheel bearings and spacers to fit the new bolt as well. All of this expense is a waste when you can simply pick up a couple 12mm bolts from your local hardware store for cheap. If you can't find them locally, give me a call and I can ship you any size you need. My hardware store down the street has tons of different metric sizes and lengths in stock. Even shipping them to you would be cheaper than all the other hassles of re-tapping and re-sizing your bearings.

With a quick search, I came up with the following hardware stores in Avon:
True Value Hardware - 275 E MAIN STREET
Avon Lumber Inc. - 108 Wadsworth Ave
Smith Lumber Hardware - 5833 Big Tree Rd, Lakevill
Village Hardware - 47 Main St, Le Roy

I would give them a call and see if they carry 12mm x 100mm bolts. Cost should be well under $10 ea.



Hope that helps.

Just go to Ace hardware or The depot they will have all the metric you would need. I find Ace has a far better selection than other so called home improvement stores.

I think he's asking about the bolts to hold the axle to the frame/rails; not the ones to bolt the wheels? (I could be wrong).

I don't know the answer, but my Libre uses M8 bolts/nuts (they were missing when I bought them, which I knew). I used 5/16 sets and so far the axle hasn't come off once while I'm bugging. =].

I saw a link to an online hardware store that sold stock, bolts and everything else. they had different grades and metals

@Nfish..that is exactly what I was needing to know...the bolt that holds the siderails to the axle. I know the wheel size is a specific 12mm and can't be messed with. I was wondering if I got one in an american size that had a small bit of play in it would it start to make the bolt hole bigger (in time).
I will make the trip out tomorrow to get a couple ss bolts that are 1/2 longer in length.

@ Kent I appreciate all the help but the axle bolt are fine. I am sticking to them and wheels will be running much smoother with new bearings. I made a belly pan and the original bolt isn't long enough to thread the nut so....

I've said it once and I'll say it again...This forum Rocks! Always people willing to help you and go out of their way to make things right.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

BEC, one thing to remember about longer SS bolts of any size is that the longer the bolt the more it WILL twist with the same amount of tork. SS bolts of any size are suitable to galling and seizing. There is nothing wrong with using galv bolts on SS. To many times I have to replace SS bolts because they can not be tightened like all the other types.
Just take one that came off the bug with you and ask for one a bit longer. And then use anti-seize when you reassemble the parts so you can take it apart again if needed.

On Peter Lynn buggies the side rails are just held in the axle by the seat straps. You could probably forget about those bolts entirely, so switching to SAE will be fine.
S

Quote:

Originally posted by Scudley On Peter Lynn buggies the side rails are just held in the axle by the seat straps. You could probably forget about those bolts entirely, so switching to SAE will be fine. S

It depends on which model you have.

The comp II or XR+ sometimes has bolts. I am not sure which model because there is a lack of info about the different models, and pictures on various websites are contradictory. In my experience the model that has the upswept footpegs has bolts holding the axle on.

None of the standard production Peter Lynn Buggies have bolts to hold the frame rails to the rear axle. They are all sleeved fit with straps holding the rear axle on. The buggies have been built this way for at least 20 years now. This goes for the original ST buggies, the Comp 2000, the Comp II, all big foot buggies and the newer XR+ models. One exceptions is the Peter Lynn Monster buggy, it was bolted with a two piece rear axle setup, the Outlaw buggy where the carbon rear axle is bolted on and I am not sure about the NABX buggy.

I noticed that you are from AU Dembones, so it is possible that you have seen buggies that were produced straight from PL's factory that did have the frame rails bolted to the rear axle. These would be a rare exception to the rest of the world where the PL buggies are purchased and produced through VliegerOp.

That being said, you could bolt your rails to the rear axle by drilling a hole through both the rear axle sleeve and the rail and just adding a bolt. It wouldn't matter if the bolt was SAE (imperial) or Metric and you could change from one to the other easily - using whichever was most common for your country/area.

With all this being said...Could you use a cleaver bolt and pin...like the rat race cars did on the hoods in the 50's..Then you could just pull the pin and disassemble...at least on the flexifoil, as they are bolted on.

A Clovis pin should work just fine.

A Clovis pin should work just fine.