Engine bolt kits
- FatFreddy
- Posts: 262
- Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2018 12:45 pm
- Location: Lancashire, UK
- Has thanked: 204 times
- Been thanked: 59 times
Engine bolt kits
As I don't have a garage, ride all year round, and am lazy about cleaning, my bike is showing its age a little. In particular the fasteners, many of which are showing signs of corrosion.
In the main this is a cosmetic problem but it's annoying me a little. I thought I might spray a little WD (?) or oil on em to prevent it getting worse... an oily bolt looks better than a rusty one.
But...
When I was a lad, bolt replacement kits were all the rage. A few of my mates fitted garishly coloured anodised bolts to their superdreams or RD's or whatever.
They don't seem quite as popular these days.
30 seconds on Google offered me a stainless steel set (£90+ quid!) but I was told years ago not to use stainless bolts as they are more brittle than mild steel and more likely to snap if stressed. But replacing em with mild steel would be pointless as soon enough they'd corrode too.
So, any thoughts folks?
In the main this is a cosmetic problem but it's annoying me a little. I thought I might spray a little WD (?) or oil on em to prevent it getting worse... an oily bolt looks better than a rusty one.
But...
When I was a lad, bolt replacement kits were all the rage. A few of my mates fitted garishly coloured anodised bolts to their superdreams or RD's or whatever.
They don't seem quite as popular these days.
30 seconds on Google offered me a stainless steel set (£90+ quid!) but I was told years ago not to use stainless bolts as they are more brittle than mild steel and more likely to snap if stressed. But replacing em with mild steel would be pointless as soon enough they'd corrode too.
So, any thoughts folks?
- chunky butt
- Posts: 2036
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 10:39 pm
- Has thanked: 54 times
- Been thanked: 699 times
Re: Engine bolt kits
Firstly, I'd suggest ACF50 (or similar) rather than WD40 .... WD40 is more a lubricant and water-repellant than a corrosion inhibitor. ACF50 is made for the job
Secondly...... there should be no problem replacing engine case bolts etc with stainless - more than strong/tough enough. However for safety-critical stuff such as caliper bolts, swing-arm and wheel "axles" better to stick with the genuine article (and use a corrosion inhibitor!)
Secondly...... there should be no problem replacing engine case bolts etc with stainless - more than strong/tough enough. However for safety-critical stuff such as caliper bolts, swing-arm and wheel "axles" better to stick with the genuine article (and use a corrosion inhibitor!)
-
- Posts: 3519
- Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 9:03 pm
- Has thanked: 1414 times
- Been thanked: 1669 times
Re: Engine bolt kits
I had a DRZ with many rusty and corroded bolts, I'm too tight to buy a set so I took each one out and measured it then ordered packs of 10 from eBay for about £2 per pack. I did the whole bike and have loads of spares for less than £20
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
- Teflon Jnr
- Posts: 1025
- Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 2:12 pm
- Location: Stalybridge
- Has thanked: 8 times
- Been thanked: 107 times
Re: Engine bolt kits
Great find zimtim I will be getting a set of these
Jesus rides a Harley and the devil wears prada
-
- Posts: 1025
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:46 am
- Been thanked: 99 times
Re: Engine bolt kits
Must admit, I would use high tensile steel for engine bolts, just like your 1960's Triumph or Norton used.
-
- Posts: 4790
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:47 pm
- Location: Limousin France
- Has thanked: 2452 times
- Been thanked: 3293 times
Re: Engine bolt kits
Set up a bench grinder with a wire brush wheel, next to the bike. Then just remove each bolt one by one, buzz it through the wheel for a nice bright shine and refit with a squirt of WD / ACF or whatever. I've revived whole bolt sets on bikes very nicely like this.
-
- Posts: 3519
- Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 9:03 pm
- Has thanked: 1414 times
- Been thanked: 1669 times