dweenk

I need to install a head badge. I usually go to McMaster-Carr and buy screws to fit the hole, but this time I would like to rivet the badge onto the head tube. Anyone have advice for tools & technique?

rootboy 

would drive screws work for you?
https://www.fastenal.com/products/fa...0Screws%22%7C~

If not, you might try tubular rivets. Like used on some 70's bikes. The tricky part is the anvil. But a one inch bar of steel inside the head tube might suffice as long as it's rigid enough. I haven't done this, but intend to some day when I finally remove the badge from a Motobecane and paint. They're tubular rivets but I will use drive screws to replace the badge. Much simpler.

randyjawa 

You can buy stainless steel rivits, not sure if that is the correct name, though. Sadly, my stuff is at home and I am abroad, at the moment.

Anyway, the rivit has an extremely aggressive thread and is called a Drive Screw. Start there and you just might find what you need.

auchencrow

I've been calling them Screw-nails from the McMaster Carr page. Whatever they're called, they're the way to go. The only trick is selecting the right size for the hole - and not going any longer than you need (or you'll end up binding on the steerer).

dweenk

You may have nailed it Crow. I have a bunch of #2 screws from McM C that worked on most badges, but the Raleigh holes are larger (like #3 ). I wish I could put a brass or copper rivit in there though.

Grand Bois

A rivit is the sound made by a frog.

rootboy 

Only certain frogs. Others say croak, burrrupp, or peep.

A brass or copper rivet would be cool looking, Dweenk. And they're certainly available. But not nearly as easy to install as a drive screw. Would require a backing anvil with which to peen over the back side of the rivet inside the head tube. Worth a try though.

rootboy 

Dweenk, what size copper rivet would work? I just looked in my voluminous collection of weird stuff out in the garage and found a jar full of copper rivets. From very small to 1/4 inch. Not sure they'd work or not. They're made for countersunk holes, but may work once peened over carefully. If you can give me a diameter, and the approximate length you need, I can send you some to try if you like.

randyjawa 

True and true, however; when standing near the edge of the pond, they always say - "kneedeep, kneedeep"

rootboy 

FWIW. Great site;
Rivets by Jay-Cee | Rivets In Stock - Rivets & Rivet Tools

Grand Bois

I used 3/32"X.250 stainless pop rivets on my Raleigh Competition. They closely resemble the original brass ones, except for the color. They came from McMaster-Carr and I had to buy 100.

dweenk

I tried to use #2 pan head machine screws, but the holes were just a tad too large. A rivet the size of a #2 screw should work though. I need three to do the job and 1 or 2 extra for mistakes

Prowler 

FWIW I made copper rivets for my headbadge when I reinstalled it on my Raleigh Professional. I measured the old brass rivets and found a piece of solid copper wire that was real close and fit the holes nicely. I think it was 12 awg wire but may have been 10 awg. You'll have to measure. I peened one end over on each piece (they must have been ~ 3/16" long) then inserted them from the inside. Set the head badge in place, inserted a steel rod into the HT as a backing mass then carefully peened over the outside end. It didn't take much light hammering. The first one was tricky but the next two were pretty simple. No interferance with the steerer tube and that badge has held nicely for the past 1000 miles. The badge is exceedingly light so I don't think it needs much to keep in place. The copper rivets look just fine - much better than the weird pop rivets that Raleigh used some years. The looked like frog's eyes.

dweenk

I think you have defined my back-up plan. Thanks.

dweenk

I will take you up on this. I need a rivet (not rivit - been corrected there) the size of #10 or #8 copper wire. I need 3 for the Raleigh badge, and a couple for screw-ups.