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[longlast]

I've been wondering about the torque bolts on Harley's. Just how critical is it that torque bolts be discarded once removed?
I'm asking because I've done a lot of auto and heavy duty equipment motor work in my time and have reused torque bolts such as head bolts, crank bolts, connecting rod bolts etc. without​ issues. I've done complete motor rebuilds using all the same bolts and re-torquing them.
I know that some manufacturers say torque bolts should not be used more than twice other's say not to reuse but l know they can and l have with out issues.
In all my years of reusing and re-torquing torque bolts I've never had one break when torquing it up or fail in operation.

But now that I'm doing my own repairs and I'm unfamiliar with Harley and the quality of there torque bolts and how much the bolts can handle also there are no grade marks on the bolts. So how critical is it the bolts be discarded once removed? Or is it more of a goods sale pitch because it seems like they say to replace a lot of bolts.
It just seems a bit over the top when your bike needs work it's 20 for this bolt 16 for that bolt and so on.

What's your opinions​?

[Toofast_28]

I don't have an answer on the HD stuff, but does ARP or similar make bolts for the bikes? Theirs are often reusable (car engine stuff is what I know, too). if you're going to replace them, may as well replace them with reusable stuff if it's available.

[coloradotom]

I think the manual will tell you which ones to not re-use. Rotor bolts are ringing a bell for some reason - pretty sure it tells you to replace them.

[SIKBIRD]

Cause if you don't replace them with over-priced bolts from the dealership it could lead to an accident that could result in death or serious injury...it says so in the manual. Haha!!

Seriously though, I would replace critical torque bolts like pulley, brake rotor, or anything else that could cause a major issue if it comes loose.  You can save yourself some dough by buying them from somewhere else...Harley Davidson does not manufacture a single bolt, they are all purchased, so a grade 8 bolt is a grade 8 bolt and it doesn't matter if it's bought from a hardware store or a dealership. JMHO

[Twolanerider]

There are some one time use fasteners that are legit.  Things with sealing rings or other special properties to them.  Others though use the argument that they come with loctite on them and the end user is too dumb to clean and reapply loctite on reuse.  Others don't have any rationale at all (except to get you to pay $27 for a special Screamin' Eagle High Velocity Special Inductive Thread Fastener because your old "bolt" suddenly isn't ok anymore.

[Dan_Lockwood]

There are some one time use fasteners that are legit.  Things with sealing rings or other special properties to them.  Others though use the argument that they come with loctite on them and the end user is too dumb to clean and reapply loctite on reuse.  Others don't have any rationale at all (except to get you to pay $27 for a special Screamin' Eagle High Velocity Special Inductive Thread Fastener because your old "bolt" suddenly isn't ok anymore.

Floating rotor hub bolts come to mind as a "use once" bolt application.  I'm thinking these are just dabbed with the Loctite and could easily be wire wheeled and re-Loctited if you want.

[Twolanerider]

Floating rotor hub bolts come to mind as a "use once" bolt application.  I'm thinking these are just dabbed with the Loctite and could easily be wire wheeled and re-Loctited if you want.

Yeap.  There is nothing "special" about a rotor or a sprocket fastener.  Clean the threads, apply a little loctite, don't over-torque and keep on going.

[grc]

There are some fasteners these days that truly should be replaced and not reused.  Unfortunately unless you're a fastener engineer you have to rely on the manufacturer of your particular product to point them out.  Like some have already mentioned, some companies go overboard and say to always replace some fasteners for the wrong reasons.

If you're dealing with a "torque to yield" fastener and application, yes you should replace the fastener.  Look up elastic versus plastic deformation.

Jerry

[longlast]

There are some one time use fasteners that are legit.  Things with sealing rings or other special properties to them.  Others though use the argument that they come with loctite on them and the end user is too dumb to clean and reapply loctite on reuse.  Others don't have any rationale at all (except to get you to pay $27 for a special Screamin' Eagle High Velocity Special Inductive Thread Fastener because your old "bolt" suddenly isn't ok anymore.

Those l can agree l would change.
As for the others I thought it was more of a sales pitch
I'm a user of loctite ( blue) on my bolt fasteners regardless unless it requires ( red) I've come across fasteners working lose on my inspections. When I do come across one l remove it and blue loctite it.

There are some fasteners these days that truly should be replaced and not reused.  Unfortunately unless you're a fastener engineer you have to rely on the manufacturer of your particular product to point them out.  Like some have already mentioned, some companies go overboard and say to always replace some fasteners for the wrong reasons.

If you're dealing with a "torque to yield" fastener and application, yes you should replace the fastener.  Look up elastic versus plastic deformation.

Jerry

Yes I'm familiar with elastic/ plastic deformation. As you tighten up the threads fold that tighten it up. That's where the little trick comes in on giving a sharp blow on the head of a bolt to shock the fold of the threads to help break it loose.
Also the torque to yield, as in a stretch fastener I agree are a one time use.

I always run a tap in a hole and clean the fasteners threads on a torque bolt before fastening it up to be sure of a unobstructed true torque.

Thanks guys for the input. I got more of a handle now on what really needs replacing and what doesn't

[jachd17]

Floating rotor hub bolts come to mind as a "use once" bolt application.  I'm thinking these are just dabbed with the Loctite and could easily be wire wheeled and re-Loctited if you want.

Just got new floating rotors for my ride. It CAME with new bolts.