Metric Aluminum Thinwall Ribbed Low Profile Head Rivet Nuts

Where metric and aluminum requirements meet

Motorcycle and imported vehicle work, mostly. Modern bikes use aluminum frames, subframes, and panels with metric hardware throughout, so a mounting point added to a chassis rail needs both characteristics at once. Fit an inch insert and the bolt does not match anything else on the bike. Fit a stainless insert into an aluminum frame and you have introduced a galvanic couple into a component that sees rain, road salt, and washing, which corrodes the aluminum around the hole over a few seasons. A metric aluminum insert satisfies both, which is why it turns up in accessory mounting, luggage racks, and fairing brackets far more than its narrow size range suggests.

Why choose metric aluminum ribbed rivet nuts

• Accepts standard metric bolts on imported equipment and vehicles
• No galvanic couple against aluminum frames and panels
• Ribs bite the hole wall to resist spinning under torque
• Easy to set by hand compared with stainless
• Lightweight, useful where fastener count is high
• Thinwall body sets reliably in light aluminum sheet

Metric sizes and grip ranges

• M5-0.8, 12.07mm length, 0.5 to 3.3mm grip range
• M6-1.0, 14.73mm length, 0.7 to 4.2mm grip range
• M8-1.25, 17.53mm length, 0.7 to 3.8mm grip range
• Drill to the specified hole diameter for the insert
• Measure panel thickness against the grip range before ordering

Common applications

• Motorcycle frames, subframes, and accessory mounting points
• Aluminum panels on imported vehicles and equipment
• Luggage racks, fairing brackets, and bodywork mounts
• Aluminum enclosures using metric hardware
• Imported machinery with aluminum panel construction
• Lightweight aluminum structures in metric assemblies

For inch threads, see our aluminum ribbed rivet nuts. Where the panel is steel or the joint needs more strength, metric stainless inserts carry considerably more.

Related Categories

• Flat Head Ribbed Rivet Nuts
• Metric Stainless Ribbed Rivet Nuts
• Aluminum Ribbed Rivet Nuts
• Rivet Nuts
• Rivet Tools

Metric Aluminum Rivet Nut FAQs

Which size for motorcycle accessory mounting?

M6 is the most common on frames and brackets, with M5 for lighter fittings and M8 where higher load is expected. Check the bolt that came out, or the bolt the accessory ships with, rather than guessing from the hole.

Will aluminum inserts hold a luggage rack?

For normal loads on a correctly sized insert in sound material, yes. For heavily loaded racks or anything carrying significant weight over rough road, stainless carries more, though the frame material then becomes the galvanic consideration.

What hole size do I drill?

The diameter specified for the insert, held closely. On a motorcycle frame in particular, an oversize hole is difficult to correct, so measure and test on scrap of similar thickness first.

Can I install these in a tube or closed section?

Yes, that is a primary use. A rivet nut sets from one side, so it works in tube and box section where you cannot reach behind. Make sure the drill does not go through the far wall.

Are aluminum inserts strong enough for a frame?

For accessory mounting and panel work, yes. For structural or safety critical joints on a frame, consult the manufacturer, since drilling a frame member has implications beyond the fastener choice.

Do these need a metric mandrel?

Yes. The tool threads onto the insert to pull it, so the mandrel must match the metric thread exactly. Most rivet nut tool kits include a set of mandrels covering common metric sizes.