Sprocket Rivets on a 1950

Post Reply
Tudelum48
Member
Posts: 84
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:50 am
Bikes: 1950 Harley Hydraglide
Location: Punkin Ridge Kentucky

Sprocket Rivets on a 1950

#1

Post by Tudelum48 »

I'm replacing the rear sprocket on my bike. First time taking one of these apart, pretty straight forward. I've got the rivets out (which were loose) and parts cleaned. I've built me a rivet anvil that I had seen photos of for stabilization. My question is is it recommended or helpful to heat the part of the rivet to be flared? I plan on using a smaller tortch tip used for acetylene welding to heat it if others have heated prior to flaring.
Also mine seems to have 4 over sized holes positioned 12,3,6 and 9 o'clock. I haven't received my parts yet just wondering if there are 4 larger ones for these. I'm planing on using a few roll pins punched in to hold it in position unti I need to put a rivet in them?
Any advise would help.
Finally got my Palmers books too. Allot to digest.
Tudelum48
Member
Posts: 84
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:50 am
Bikes: 1950 Harley Hydraglide
Location: Punkin Ridge Kentucky

Re: Sprocket Rivets on a 1950

#2

Post by Tudelum48 »

Also the sprocket I've ordered comes with a dust shield but my parts book doesn't show mine using one? Are there any pros or cons on using one?
RUBONE
Moderator
Senior Member
Posts: 8376
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
Has thanked: 478 times
Been thanked: 2933 times

Re: Sprocket Rivets on a 1950

#3

Post by RUBONE »

The dust shield is on all mechanical drums. It was included in sprocket kits.
https://www.hydra-glide.net/kb/parts/41 ... 54_086.php

The 4 larger holes were for the dowel pins (larger rivets) to center the sprocket on the drum.
Tudelum48
Member
Posts: 84
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:50 am
Bikes: 1950 Harley Hydraglide
Location: Punkin Ridge Kentucky

Re: Sprocket Rivets on a 1950

#4

Post by Tudelum48 »

Anyone got an opinion on heating the rivet heads?
Curly 64
Member
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2016 9:27 pm
Bikes: '77 XLCR, '74 FLH, '64 DuoGlide
Location: Walthill, Nebraska
Been thanked: 4 times
Contact:

Re: Sprocket Rivets on a 1950

#5

Post by Curly 64 »

At the risk of being told I don't know what I'm doing, I would tell you I like to heat rivets when I can. I don't just heat the end, I heat the entire rivet to cherry red and have an assistant put it in the holding fixture with needle-nosed pliers and I pound it down with an air slugger or air chisel with a specially-ground punch. It's done on a big, heavy anvil and takes a lot of practice to do right. I would suggest at least putting small screws and nuts in the open holes to pull the sprocket tightly against the drum while you rivet, and I alternate rivets from one side to the other, not just go right around one after another. If you don't have an air chisel, a large hammer is better than a light one. The punch should have a rounded concave end to help it stay on the rivet and shape the end as it gets pounded down. Hit it straight, for sure. You can hear and feel it when it's tight. Since you don't have much time before it cools off it has to be done quickly so you and the assistant have to be a good team. Of course, riveting cold is ok but I don't like it as much. That's just my preference though.
Dave_R
Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Thu May 06, 2010 4:19 pm
Bikes: 1953 FLE Panhead
1960 FLH Panhead
1979 FXE Shovel
2001 Heritage "Twinkie"
Location: Clarkston, Michigan
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Sprocket Rivets on a 1950

#6

Post by Dave_R »

I did a few hot, and a few cold. Seems like the cold ones were better for the sheer (seemed to hold tighter). I am just guessing that the reason may be that the hot rivets shrink in the hole diameter when cool. Again, this is probably just perception and I have no real good data. These rivets are small comparatively, so they are easy to "squish" cold anyways (and easier to handle).

So, just another opinion. I would think in the grand scheme of things either way works.

Respectfully,
-Dave
Post Reply

Return to “Sprockets”