Handlebar bolt size

[Plarimer]

I have a 2016 RT SE6. The four main bolts that hold the handlebars on are a size too big for the gear I have. My biggest is a seven and I’m guessing the hex size is a 10 or 12. Your help would be appreciated.

[JayBros]

I'm a little uncertain what you mean by "...are a size too big for the gear I have." There are four bolts, M10X40, and two M10X70, depending I guess on what kind of accessory may be attached at the bar mount points. Both lengths of bolt require a 7mm Allen wrench or bit to remove and all are pre-coated with 3M Scotch adhesive thread locker. What is the "gear" you speak of?

[pidjones]

M10 X 1.5 45mm long on my 2021 RTL. With 7mm Allen socket.

[Plarimer]

Sorry about that I probably should’ve said tools. Evidently auto correct changed a few things. The biggest Allen wrench I have is seven and these is obviously a 10 or a 12. Now it does have added to the handlebars a GPS/cell phone holder.

[JayBros]

I must clarify; I have Tri-Axis bars on my Spyder that came with a T-wrench for adjusting them and the bolt heads are 8mm Allen that I confirmed with a micrometer.

[Plarimer]

Well I finally found the answer after digging out my old Harley tool kit. The problem I found is the GPS holder that was installed using the lower handlebar bolts. The top ones closest to the windshield are 7 mm, but the bottom ones that holds on the device or 5/16. Anyway I had the right wrenches in my Harley tool kit which is now stored in my trunk. The adventure goes on.

[JayBros]

Perseverance pays off!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

but the bottom ones that holds on the device or 5/16.

That's weird, a metric bolt with SAE size hex. The only item I've encountered, that I remember anyway, that are like that are Speedbleeders. Hex is SAE, thread is metric.

[safecracker]

I believe an 8 mm and a 5/16 allen are very close in size.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I believe an 8 mm and a 5/16 allen are very close in size.

Yeah, I thought that may be case so I should have checked before I posted. 5/16" is 7.94 mm. That is probably within the manufacturing tolerance of allen wrenches.

Another case where an inch size socket will substitute quite nicely for the metric are the front wheel lug bolts. 13/16" = 20.64 mm, just under the 21 mm hex size. The socket is a little bit loose but not enough to cause a problem.