Rear rack bolt torques

[Bulldogfour]

I've bought the Hitchcock rear rack which uses the original rack bolts. But, try as I might I cannot locate anywhere what the bolts should be torqued to. Can anyone enlighten me please and yes I have searched extensively and read the available manuals.

 

[nmroadrunner]

Gutenteight has worked for me so far...

 

[Bluestrom13]

try as I might I cannot locate anywhere what the bolts should be torqued to. Can anyone enlighten me please

Don't know how old you are Bull', but not as old as me, obviously.
Roadrunner nipped in just as I was typing this answer, and I couldn't agree more.

What DID we do 'back in the day' without torque wrenches? Or torque settings.

If it makes your mind easier, here is a table of suitable torque figures for Grade 8.8 bolts.
I think you are looking at M8 for yours.

 

[Bulldogfour]

Gutenteight has worked for me so far...

Yes it has always worked for me too, and who's torque wrench has recently been calibrated. But, if there was amongst all the different manuals available a correct torque it would be nice to find it. In it's absence it will be 'tight enough"

 

[johnny42]

My first torque wrench was a Craftsman "beaml" type which worked really well. I then bought "click" type wrenches. I have never had them re-calibrated and don't plan to. I mostly use the gutentight method but on my car lug nuts, and motorcycle axle bolts, I use the clicker.

 

[Bluestrom13]

But, if there was amongst all the different manuals available a correct torque it would be nice to find it

Looking at the numbers that are published, looks like RE use that generic table above for their M8 bolts....


Spot Royal Enfield's (not so deliberate) mistakes at rows 15 and 16 - NM to Kg.M conversion...

 

[Bulldogfour]

Yes that’s what I surmised and what hitchcoks told me. Probably the same logic.
thamks

 

[Roy Gavin]

The convention is that torque values are for clean and dry threads, unless otherwise noted.
Loctite brand retainer need no adjustment to torque values, don't know about the rest .
With oiled / lubed/ antisiezed threads around 20/25 less torque is suggested.
Most branded stainless fasteners are close enough to 8.8 to use the same torque.
Best fastener 101 I found was in the early Honda Common service manual, but it seems to have vanished and the manuals you can find today are useful but not nearly as extensive.

 

[Bluestrom13]

Best fastener 101 I found was in the early Honda Common service manual, but it seems to have vanished and the manuals you can find today are useful but not nearly as extensive.

Spot Royal Enfield's (not so deliberate) mistakes at rows 15 and 16 - NM to Kg.M conversion...

I hope that folks ignore the Kg.M column! And 15 and 16 are for the caliper and disc, so hardly important, eh?

 

[Roy Gavin]

Early manuals had the main frame/engine/ cradle bolts at 16 nm instead of around 50 , and as the engine and cradle are a structural part of the frame if anyone followed their figures it might have contributed to the problems some had with frame failures.
Apart from the one which had no penetration on the weld, that is.

 

[johnny42]

Whatever chart you use, be sure you make note whether it's NM or ft-lbs and set your wrench accordingly.

 

[tom_d]

I've bought the Hitchcock rear rack which uses the original rack bolts. But, try as I might I cannot locate anywhere what the bolts should be torqued to. Can anyone enlighten me please and yes I have searched extensively and read the available manuals.

I had earlier found this as a recommendation to check at the first checkup, I think the torque values you are looking for are listed though this is for RE's panniers.
edited: removed pdf and posted a few screen captures in case copywrite is an issue.