'67 Scorpion Mark I S280 tapered steering bolts?

[marcandblakes]

Just picked up a '67 Mark I S280 and am going through the process of bringing it out of hibernation. Unfortunately, one of the tapered bolts holding the MAG side steering arm to the spindle has pulled through. Anybody have a source for them? Pretty unique, so I doubt I'd be able to find one at a fastener supplier, or make one. Suggestions? Thanks! -Marc (formerly of Marc and Blake's Scorpion Page)

[oldscorpman]

this was a known problem with that design, back when these were 3 or 4 years old we would have to weld that tapered shaft in place.

[marcandblakes]

Feeling kind of SOL at the moment! Upon further inspection, the loose side looks to have been run that way for awhile. The notch in the spindle for the tapered bolt is worn half way around, so even a new bolt wouldn't cure this one.

I'd be up for a spindle swap, but at 7.5 inches from the machined surface at the bottom to the top, I'm not sure what other brands might work. Besides, this sled has kind of unique offset steering arms (so as not to come in contact with the hood during hard turns) while most others are a straight design. Hmm. Don't really know what to do. 

I've had it suggested that I just weld the arm to the spindle so I can use the sled this winter, but I'm not wild about that idea. 

Anybody else have this problem that came up with a good solution? Thanks! -Marc.

[stinger440]

There you go, if you weld the tapered shaft in place you can still call it period correct.

[marcandblakes]

Project update: I had this brainstorm (make that brain fart) that if I converted to later model spindles with splined tops, that would eliminate the tapered bolt problem. So I hit the junkyard and bought spindles and steering arms from a 1968, thinking maybe they'd bolt in?

Got home and quickly found out the different between '66-'67 and 1968 spindles. Apparently Scorp decided to add camber in 1968! Not a huge problem, took the '68 spindles over to a friend who has access to better welding equipment than mine and had him cut the ski mount loose, take the camber out, and weld them back together properly. All set to go right?

I came home today, slid the spindles into place, bolted on skis, and the '68 steering arms. With some mild tie-rod adjustment everything bolted together fine, and turning the handlebars side to side pleasantly found the arms would not make contact with the hood at full lock. Cool! Then came the last (hopefully) trick the sled decided to play on me. I went to put the hood back on and all goes well until it's about an inch from sitting down in it's track at the rear. Problem? The bolt that holds the arms to the spindles makes contact with the hood!

Trying to figure out what to do next, and wishing I'd have just welded the dang stock arm to the spindle on that side so I could at least ride this winter and figure it out next summer!