Topic: Allen head bolts…

[Dimitri13]

Other than the fact they look nice, is there any benefit to using them?

[Bailgang]

Unless you have them insanely tight you wont need an impact driver to loosen them up thus they wont get chewed up as quickly as a phillips head.

[jamesb]

yep, i agree they will not get chewed up up my cb550 has them on everything including the the points plate.

[Magpie]

Be sure to put some anti seize when installing them. Cliff.

[Stev-o]

Other than the fact they look nice, is there any benefit to using them?

Not really.  The original hardware is fine as long as the proper tools are used correctly.
BTW, I buy SS socket head screws at a local specialty bolt company and they are very reasonably priced. But in HI, is anything reasonable other than pineapples?!

[Bailgang]

Not really.  The original hardware is fine as long as the proper tools are used correctly.
BTW, I buy SS socket head screws at a local specialty bolt company and they are very reasonably priced. But in HI, is anything reasonable other than pineapples?!

I would have to agree with except that even though I have at least 2 of every tool in my tool box I'll be damned if I can find the correct tool that I need when I want it especially when it comes to finding the correct size phillips and end up using one that's not correct but works anyhow. I swear I spend more time looking for the tool I just had in my hand a minute ago than anything else and the tool I literally tore the garage up trying to find always reappears when I don't need it.

[Stev-o]

Not really.  The original hardware is fine as long as the proper tools are used correctly.
BTW, I buy SS socket head screws at a local specialty bolt company and they are very reasonably priced. But in HI, is anything reasonable other than pineapples?!

I would have to agree with except that even though I have at least 2 of every tool in my tool box I'll be damned if I can find the correct tool that I need when I want it especially when it comes to finding the correct size phillips and end up using one that's not correct but works anyhow. I swear I spend more time looking for the tool I just had in my hand a minute ago than anything else and the tool I literally tore the garage up trying to find always reappears when I don't need it.

I had a similar issue 'til I bought a big tool box for my garage and organized all my tools in it. Now, every tool is within reach when needed.

[Markcb750]

Allen head bolts (SHCS's) are better because:

They can be precisely torqued with a torque wrench.

When the fasteners do not need precise torquing a simple piece of black pipe becomes a universal breaker bar;  Although I have a piece of drilled  5/8 dia. 1020 steel knurled on one end to provide a grip.

They can be accessed at an angle with a ball end driver with little chance of damage.

They can be had in an assortment of metals and finishes thru outlets such as McMaster-Carr. 18-8 Stainless Steel is my favorite.

SHCS's never required an impact wrench to remove, in my 25 years of experience anyway.

Allen wrenches store in a neat little container that provides an visual inventory when cleaning up, and when you grab the wrong one the required on is right next to it.



Besides I think there is just something wrong about using a fastener called a "cheese head"....


       

[Bailgang]

I had a similar issue 'til I bought a big tool box for my garage and organized all my tools in it. Now, every tool is within reach when needed.

I've already got 3 sets of tool boxes. The big one takes a milk crate for me to stand on to clearly see the top and I'm 6' tall, the other 2 sets are average sized tool boxes. I used to be an auto mech so I have all sorts of specialty tools. It's my lack of organizational skills that nail me.

[bollingball]

I had a similar issue 'til I bought a big tool box for my garage and organized all my tools in it. Now, every tool is within reach when needed.

I've already got 3 sets of tool boxes. The big one takes a milk crate for me to stand on to clearly see the top and I'm 6' tall, the other 2 sets are average sized tool boxes. I used to be an auto mech so I have all sorts of specialty tools. It's my lack of organizational skills that nail me.

Don't feel lonely. I usually have more stuff on top of my box's and work tables than inside. I don't know how I find anything but I do. It does keep my wife and son from finding my tools and not bringing them back.

[Dimitri13]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'd much rather buy a set of allen heads than a set of JIS screwdrivers (an SAE #3 fits perfectly in the bigger JIS phillips anyway) and none of the one-size-smaller screws are damaged enough I can't get them out with an SAE #2.

If I buy SS ones from the hardware store, will I still have to use anti-seize?

[ChuckG750f1]

Yes.

[Bailgang]

If I buy SS ones from the hardware store, will I still have to use anti-seize?

Yep, just a dab on your finger to spread around the thread. Even though SS doesn't corrode like regular steel does it's still a dissimilar metal to the aluminum it's threading into. Also be aware that there may not be much clearance between the front 4 exh tappet inspection caps and the socket head screws next to them. On my 550 I have to remove those 4 screws before I remove the caps and wait till the caps are screwed back on to re-install the screws. All is well on the int inspection caps, it's just the exh inspection caps.

[Dimitri13]

I have the same problem with the phillips screws on the cam cover.

[Markcb750]

One more word...

For the price of 4 M6x1.0x50 SS SHCS's at my local hardware store I can buy 25 at McMaster Carr...

Next best thing is to buy a kit from one of the members here  or on EBay.  The search function will yield a path to the members or you can look in the services offered or things for sale section.

[70CB750]

I love allen head bolts, old jeeps were built with Torx - now thats a generator of strong words.

[Dimitri13]

One more word...

For the price of 4 M6x1.0x50 SS SHCS's at my local hardware store I can buy 25 at McMaster Carr...

Next best thing is to buy a kit from one of the members here  or on EBay.  The search function will yield a path to the members or you can look in the services offered or things for sale section.

You're right. I just picked up 2 M6x1.0x16 and 2 M6x1.0x30 and it was damn near $5. Don't even get me started on how much the chrome ones were. Only reason I shelled out that much is because the bolts they're replacing don't fit.

I was browsing some cafe/vintage site a week ago and saw a set of SS allen heads for about $30 but I can't remember what site that was. Anyone know?

[bjbuchanan]

I just look them up on ebay but I'm lazy. Search on here to see if it is enough bolts to pretty much be a complete set, just in case

[Stev-o]

I bought 30 SS socket head cap screws and a socket for them last week at a local specialty bolt company for $9.88,

The M6 - 1x30 mm were only 13 cents each. (used for the engine side covers)

[Dimitri13]

I bought 30 SS socket head cap screws and a socket for them last week at a local specialty bolt company for $9.88,

The M6 - 1x30 mm were only 13 cents each. (used for the engine side covers)

Hm, come to think of it, there's a nut and bolt company down near the bike shop I used to work at, I might head over there to check it out.

[70CB750]

McMaster Carr has great selection, but expensive shipping.

[aperry]

I've always had good experiences with boltdepot.com.

They have a great stainless selection with reasonable prices and an easy online selector.

Aaron