Why do bikes need Allen keys?

[Motu]

What puzzles me is why Allen....what if Desmond invented them....would we then be calling them Desmond keys?

[imdying]

What puzzles me is why Allen....what if Desmond invented them....would we then be calling them Desmond keys?

Wonder no more... it's just a trademark for a particular brand of hex keys:

Generically known as a hex key, this tool is also commonly referred to by one of many trademark or brand names. "Allen wrench" was originally a trademark of Allen Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut in 1943.

[degrom]

What puzzles me is why Allen....what if Desmond invented them....would we then be calling them Desmond keys?

Good point...

More facts:

* The tool is simple, small and light.
* The contact surfaces of the screw or bolt are protected from external damage.
* The tool can be used with a headless screw.
* The bolt can be inserted into its socket using the key.
* There are six contact surfaces between bolt and driver.
* Torque is constrained by the length and thickness of the key.
* Very small bolt heads can be accommodated.

Name comes from:

Generically known as a hex key, this tool is also commonly referred to by one of many trademark or brand names. "Allen wrench" was originally a trademark of Allen Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut in 1943. In non-English speaking parts of Europe, it is usually known as an "Unbrako key" (also often misspelled as "Umbrako"), which is a brand name established in 1911.

[Ixion]

Allen wench ? I thought that was sweet Barbara Allen ? Ah now there was a wench that was Allen screwing at its best.

[Goblin]

Allen wench ? I thought that was sweet Barbara Allen ? Ah now there was a wench that was Allen screwing at its best.

You know my Grandmother??

[Motu]

And I don't like Phillips screws either - they should be Paul screws.

[Crasherfromwayback]

What about Dick Driver...what shape is that?

[pritch]

biggest mystery was always how the Japs got them to tighten in the first place because no matter how careful you`d inevitably trash the bloody things getting them out.

Not quite fair.

The main supplier of BSA unit single parts in the UK listed complete sets of stainless Allen screws to replace all the external case screws on the bike. At the time they were perceived as being the "quality" alternative...
Yes, I bought a set.

One Hornet owner I know recently bought a set of gold plated Allen screws for his new pride and joy.

These options apparently still exist....

[Bonez]

Unlike spanners, which need a large turning arc to undo the subject bolt, an Allen key - especially those with a square drive socket base - require very little turning arc, and you don't run the risk of demolishing your knuckles on adjacent bike parts. I don't think I've answered your question but it was a helluva lot of fun trying to!

Sometimes one does need to some sort of an extenion (bit of pipe or ring end of a spanner) because there is not enough leverage available with the key to loosen allen head bolts. So the arch is therefore extended. This is more likely to deduce the risk of bleeding knuckles than using the key by itself. I find they are generally too short and fingers slip. Allen head bolts can be very stubborn if not been undone for a decade or two you know. Had to resort to the ol hammer a few times to give them a "wee" tap to break the threads also.

[What?]

1st bit if advice, get a tray to put your bolts etc in when you take them off

Yep - my favourite is an old muffin tray; gives me 12 little dishes so like fasteners, or those from same place, can be kept together.
Go forth and rob your mum's kitchen (just don't get caught).

[TLDV8]

Nice if you want to torque capscrews,saves having to find a piece of pipe to put on the allen key

[toymachine]

How much for a set like that?

Found a page with the torque settings for all the bolts on the vfr I wanna fix up...

Though for general bolts around the bike is torque an issue?

[erik]

Yep - my favourite is an old muffin tray; gives me 12 little dishes so like fasteners, or those from same place, can be kept together.
Go forth and rob your mum's kitchen (just don't get caught).

Egg cartons or trays are another option if your mum or mrs doesn't like you pinching the muffin trays.

[The Stranger:Me]

Why do bike manufacturers mainly use nuts/bolt's that use allen keys?

Where can I get new ones when they get lost? (Not at my local Bunnings!!!)

I made a small modification to the brakes on the GSXR and wanted some high tensile bolts.

Bloody hard to find a standard bolt that was greater than grade 8.8. I had no problem locating Allen head bolts at grade 12.9. I was told that you only get 12.9 in an allen head. So maybe there is also a quality issue here in some cases.

[pritch]

my favourite is an old muffin tray; gives me 12 little dishes

For bigger parts like fairings I like the hint I saw in a bike mag. Get a cardboard box and draw a picture of the part on the box. Poke holes in the box at the appropropriate places on the drawing and as each screw is removed poke it in the relevant hole.