Originally Posted by
TejanoTrackie
Every threaded dropout eyelet I have ever seen over the past 35 years has used a #10-32 screw, and all waterbottle bosses use them as well. Since the OP said the screws are slightly too large, I'd say that they are probably M5 and #10-32 should fit. Just make sure you get #10-32 (fine thread) and not #10-24 (course thread).
Originally Posted by
TejanoTrackie
Absolutely not not. I meant exactly what I said. Please read my entire post regarding the sizes. You can force a M5 screw into a #10-32 threaded eyelet or boss because they are so close in size. I have both M5x0.8 and #10-32 taps, and I've just now returned from my garage where I tested them in both dropout eyelets and water bottle bosses on several different bikes. In all cases, the #10-32 tap screws all the way in with just finger effort (no handle), whereas the M5x0.8 tap screws in maybe two turns at most and then jams. The dropouts on my bikes are from different eras and different nationalities, but they are all the same. So unless #10-32 screws prove a loose fit, I would not recommend forcing M5 screws into the eyelet.
Just because a threaded hole accepts #10-32 doesnt mean thats what it is. My size 45 feet can fit into every pair of 45.5 shoes I try on but most people with 45.5 feet would feel uncomfortable in 45 shoes. #10-32 is a loose fit because its the wrong size. M5 is tight because because there's rust and paint in the holes. Based on your analogy it'd be like me saying every Peugeot with Swiss threading is realy British because you can jam a British threaded BB into it.
$100 to PastorBobs church says I'm right.
I'm signing off on this thread.....unless I need to send money.