For the record, we've never seen a funky threading on a Clem-or-other dropout, but users are capable of messing them up. Clem is especially tolerant, tho, because the upper dropout mount is M6 (for the rack), and if you mount the rack, as we suggest, on the lower seat stay braze-on (a true braze-on that is actually brazed on), you still have at least two options for the fenders. If a previous owner munged the threads on the M6 upper, you could use an M5 and a nut on that one, or just go one step down and use an M5 bolt on the intended fender mount. Current CLEMs go ultrafar with yet a third M-5 hole between the two in the main body of the dropout. We put a hole there for fun, since it was low stress, and then at the last second said, "tape it M5, please," and it was done. So, there are a total of four tapped possibilities, two each M5, M6, on each side of the frame down there on or near the dropouts, making Clem the least likely frame ever made, I think, to foil your efforts to mount what you want down there---because there's always an option.
On Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 10:22:13 PM UTC-7, LeRoy wrote: > > The trail that recently led me to this group began when I was Googling > information on repairing buggered braze-on threads. A post here entitled > *Stripped > CLEM dropout braze-on* was absolutely spot-on. My problem was stripped > threads on a couple of braze-on fittings on the rear drop out of my > new-to-me Clem Smith Jr. This couldn't have been a better match; the > collected wisdom in that post exactly addressed my questions and concerns. > So, of course, I needed to join up. > > This preamble circles back to the point I suggest in the subject line: *When > bad fasteners happen to good bikes*. > > While many on this list have owned their bikes since new, others have > acquired them second- or third-hand, or some further multiple. Bikes that > have passed through numerous sets of hands often suffer from a lesser level > of care and feeding than a good bike deserves. What I came across on my > third-hand Clem was not just a couple stripped threads -- I've committed > that crime myself -- but true fastener innovation. > > Those of us whose thinking stays within the box typically use an M6 > fastener in an M6 threaded hole. It seems to work well enough. But > innovative thinkers might consider the use of a vibration-resistant, > serrated-flange, self-piercing sheet metal screw in that M6 threaded > braze-on. While not an obvious solution, the advantage of this butchery is > two-fold. The integrated serrated flange ideally secures the looped wire > rod of the rear fender stay, while the self-piercing capability of the > thread cuts its own path in the braze-on regardless of preexisting M6x1.0 > threads. Genius! This particular application deserves bonus points because > the perpetrator went so far as to paint the offending fastener in a very > close match to the Clem's green frame. It's not without a certain artistry. > > Apart from some understandable whining, my purpose in bringing up this > topic is to see what kinds of creative destruction others have experienced. > I'm throwing down the gauntlet. Can you top this? > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
