So I saw a forum member recently sold his Evoluzione Quick Release Seat Pins and I decided to see if I could create my own for much less than the $25 price to buy them from Evoluzione. I'm not even sure Evoluzione is still in business since the website link in their thread http://www.s1000rrforum.com/forum/evoluzione-cyclesports/3766-quick-release-seat-pins.html doesn't seem to work and their last post was about a year ago.
So off I went to Lowes (hardware store chain in the US) with my seat in hand to make sure I get the correct diameter pin. I go to the specialty fastener section where they have drawers of all types of nuts, bolts, pins, etc. I looked in the "pins and hitches" drawer
and found this pin
Also found online here: Shop The Hillman Group 1/4 x 1-3/4" Zinc-Plated Cotterless Hitch Pin at Lowes.com that fit in the hole of the seat pan just fine.
I bought two for just a little more than $6 (tax included).
Back at home, I got out my tap and die kit Shop Kobalt 26-Piece Tap and Die Metric Set at Lowes.com and found the hex die 5m x 0.8 was the same thread/pitch as the screws that hold down the seat. I cut the pin to the same length as the seat screw (about 1”) and proceeded to grind down the shaft where I needed to make the threads since it was too thick as is. After grinding as smooth as I could around the pin shaft, I got to where it was just a little larger than the die to make the threads.
I clamped the pin in the holder and put the 5M die in its holder and began making threads.
In no time I had it done for both pins
and checked for fitment on the bike subframe. I put some locktite on threads and hand tightened them down with making a few turns to adjust them so the ball would clear the plastic tab of the seat pan when pushing the seat down firmly.
All for less than $7 (not including the cost of tap and die set which I already had).
So off I went to Lowes (hardware store chain in the US) with my seat in hand to make sure I get the correct diameter pin. I go to the specialty fastener section where they have drawers of all types of nuts, bolts, pins, etc. I looked in the "pins and hitches" drawer
and found this pin
Also found online here: Shop The Hillman Group 1/4 x 1-3/4" Zinc-Plated Cotterless Hitch Pin at Lowes.com that fit in the hole of the seat pan just fine.
I bought two for just a little more than $6 (tax included).
Back at home, I got out my tap and die kit Shop Kobalt 26-Piece Tap and Die Metric Set at Lowes.com and found the hex die 5m x 0.8 was the same thread/pitch as the screws that hold down the seat. I cut the pin to the same length as the seat screw (about 1”) and proceeded to grind down the shaft where I needed to make the threads since it was too thick as is. After grinding as smooth as I could around the pin shaft, I got to where it was just a little larger than the die to make the threads.
I clamped the pin in the holder and put the 5M die in its holder and began making threads.
In no time I had it done for both pins
and checked for fitment on the bike subframe. I put some locktite on threads and hand tightened them down with making a few turns to adjust them so the ball would clear the plastic tab of the seat pan when pushing the seat down firmly.
All for less than $7 (not including the cost of tap and die set which I already had).