An odd question but i'm sure someone will know...

[oldschoolace]

.... What are common nut and Allen sizes on old and mid school bikes?

Brake mount nut, wheel nut, seat clamp, seat guts nuts, stem bolts etc 

[Bfellows]

I've found a fair amount of US stuff is imperial if it helps........and there are some bloody weird thread pitches......

[oldschoolace]

Cheers Bert.
Yeah i remember as a kid getting annoyed at the imperial/metric difference. Just enough play to chew your nuts up 

[Bfellows]

Just checked, my tuf / pro necks are all 1/4 inch Allen key NOT 6mm.  Lots of 5/8 and 9/16 nuts as wel........

[kalex]

don't they still use imperial sizes in the USA

[Bfellows]

Yep (bless em!). I've restored a couple of old cars and bikes over the years so assume nothing........ bsf, whitworth, BA, AF.......... Or buy a good adjustable 

[griff]

don't they still use imperial sizes in the USA

Yep, my new school profile seat clamp is some weird size that needs it's own special fooking Allen key 

[oldschoolace]

Anyone else know a size for sure? 

[Bfellows]

Allen bolts in my TNT clamp are 3/16........

[kalex]

Anyone else know a size for sure? 

i bought a std set of imperial allen keys then you know your covered

[oldschoolace]

What about Dia compe caliper nuts, cones, rears etc?

[Bfellows]

As a general rule, most Japanese nuts and bolts will be metric...... JIS (Japanese industrial standard)

[oldschoolace]

Cheers Bert, bloody would be woudn't they  Trying to narrow down the most common nut and allen sizes to just 3 or 4 for an little stocking filler i have in mind 

[Bfellows]

Remind me and I'll have 5 minutes tomorrow and post a few of the more common sizes....... Tuff pads, stem bolts, flange nuts and the like 

[oldschoolace]

Nice one Bert 

If i get round to what i'm planning you just earnt a free one 

[Bfellows]

Here goes........ just remember that there is no guarantee that someone has not swapped out nuts and bolts over the years for new. 

As a general rule, Japanese and French = Metric, American = Imperial........ unless its US, but made in far east such as Haro stems etc and also a lot of the later US stuff seems to have now gone metric.  If its British - could be anything.......

These sizes are in the main taken from OG items.

Stem top bolts (all allen key) - Suntour = 6mm, Haro Group 1 = 6mm, Tuf / Pro neck etc = 1/4", Torker 6 bolt = 3/16".

Chain ring bolts = Sugino = 5mm allen key

Headset nuts = Everything I have is either 30 or 32mm

Seat clamps = All my Japanese made are 6mm, American 1/4 and 3/16" allen key

Wheel nuts - Generally 15mm, but my new tuffs have 14mm.......

Seat guts - Elina lightning bolt = 14mm, Dominator = 13mm, Kashimax - both 13mm and 14mm KSM stamped

Tuff pads - old style 10mm nut, new style 5mm allen key

Dia Compe brakes - Acorn and rear nyloc nuts are 10mm, larger locking nut on 901s is 13mm, cable clamp acorn nut is 8mm.  Most of the adjuster screws on levers are Phillips head

Pedals - everything I have is 15mm, but some requires a slim spanner

If you need anymore i'll have a dig through the cave.

Bert

[Devilock]

Bloody hell what a thoroughly blokey thread!

[Bfellows]

Thank you........ a misspent youth of skinless knuckles made me at the age of 40 finally take my old mans advice and use the correct size spanner for the job.

[oldschoolace]

Bert you are a fookin legend mate, nice one