[BigMan73]

I was about to replace a broken turn signal housing with one I got from a fellow awesome stromtrooper, GLHS837, who sent me his used one (!!).

But then when I came to tighten the inner lamp screw (inside the cup, not the external screw that fastens the lens), I found out that I some how lost the darn screw :headbang:
So I opened the left turn signal and took out the sibling screw.

My wife went to HomeDepot and found some screw that was the same length and diameter but had many more threads.

The problem is I don't know how to identify this screw exactly. It is 1/2'', has kind of a flat Philips head and about 8 or 9 threads. Also it has kind of a groove at the end.

I don't know how to name screws - they have all kinds of numbers like #4-40 or #6-32.

Any help is very welcome! Thanks.

 

[greywolf]

It's not a machine screw like a 4-40 or 8-32. It's a thread forming screw for plastic. The notch is to help it cut threads in the plastic like a tap. Probably the closest thing you'll find in general hardware is a sheet metal screw. See McMaster-Carr for thread forming screws.

 

[BigMan73]

It's not a machine screw like a 4-40 or 8-32. It's a thread forming screw for plastic. The notch is to help it cut threads in the plastic like a tap. Probably the closest thing you'll find in general hardware is a sheet metal screw. See McMaster-Carr for thread forming screws.

Thanks for trying to help.
I looked at that site, and it seems to be a thread cutting screw for soft plastics Type 23. But then again there are many choices of sizes (4-40, etc.) , drives and lengths.

I also found this site:
http://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Printable-Tools/US-and-Metric-Thread-Sizes.pdf

and (after scaling) the thread seems to be 28 TPI or 1.5mm.

I'm lost..

 

[greywolf]

You don't need an exact duplicate. You just need something that will work. Get a thread forming screw the right length and a close diameter and it will work.

 

[RandyT]

If you can't find what you're looking for at your local hardware store, a hobby store should have them. Same kind of screw used for R/C cars.

Or like Greywolf said doesn't have to be exact..if it's in plastic, it just has to hold.

 

[BigMan73]

If you can't find what you're looking for at your local hardware store, a hobby store should have them. Same kind of screw used for R/C cars.

Or like Greywolf said doesn't have to be exact..if it's in plastic, it just has to hold.

Greywolf - thank you for your directions.
Randy - you're a genius! I went down to the basement and started looking for plastic toys I can scavenge from ...

What do you know..this Chinese toy (R/C??) had >>Exactly<< the same screw!! :thumbup:

Proof: (The screw from toy is slightly more yellowish, but the same one..amazing)

So, now I have another related question (slightly off-topic of screw)
I'm thinking of how to install the new housing.
The bulb mount is too big to go through the opening of the housing.
So there are two options:
1. Disassemble the existing connector and turn signal from inside the fairing, then take out the connector and reinstall housing.
The connector inside the fairing has kind of a clip -
How does it come off without using too much power? I don't want to break it.

OR

2. Cut the electric wires near the bulb mount then install the housing and soldier the wires, and apply some insulation with electric tape (the same one that GreyWolf recommended to buy a few months ago..)

Your advice is welcome.

 

[BigMan73]

Following another of GW's (..!!..) threads I found on EB the connector, Mitsubishi Ultra Compact:

and

So my question: How to disconnect male from female connector without damaging/breaking them?
Just pull with force?

 

[xDownSetx]

See the tab on the female connector? You lift that up and then pull the male out. Sometimes you have to pull the tab away quite a bit.

 

[RandyT]

If you follow the lines down..there's no connector~? Sorry I just got my bike so I never looked. If you can get a something from the plug side into the housing you can remove the pins, like a paper clip or thin wire, you need to press down the lock, and them pull it back out before reinstalling, but if they are soldered..you're SOL and will have to de-solder them. The easiest and if you want to save money..cut, solder and heat shrink tubing..just my opinion. Most of this comes from dealing with R/C cars, planes and heli's for years.

 

[BigMan73]

See the tab on the female connector? You lift that up and then pull the male out. Sometimes you have to pull the tab away quite a bit.

Great tip - took me a minute or two, but just like you said.
No cutting or soldering, the connector male came right through the fairing.
I put the new housing, then inserted the connector again, and what do you know...let there be light!! :thumbup:

Thank you everybody for your help!!

In particular GLHS837 for sending me the housing on his own expense! Wow! :hurray:. Your right eye is now implanted in my bike :green_lol:

 

[GLHS837]

Looks good, glad you're back on the road:thumbup:

 

[RandyT]

Happy it all worked out for you~!! :thumbup:

 

[jessicamonde]

The notch is to help it cut threads in the plastic like a tap. Probably the closest thing you'll find in general hardware is a sheet metal screw.