Topic: Which Head Stud - APE or Kibblewhite

[timbo750]

If we start by forgetting the price, can anyone tell me if there is any difference between the APE and kibblewhite studs.

I am gathering that for the price difference there must be a difference in the material or the manufacturing process. I have read that apparently the Kibblewhite studs are a tighter fit - not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

[timbo750]

Ok, has anyone got any feedback I had read that the APE can break, the exact reason never seems to be identified. but I have not read anything about the Kibblewhite units. has anybody used the KB studs and where there any draw backs?

Does anyone have any technical knowledge on whether the tighter fitting studs is an advantage or disadvantage?

[Terry in Australia]

I've only ever used either APE or NOS RC studs Timbo, and have never had a problem with them. Kibblewhite stuff is very high quality too though, so it really depends on how deep your pockets are.

Big Jay (owner of APE) is a member here and I'm sure he'd look after you if you busted one of his, but it's bloody unlikely that you will. Cheers, Terry.

[PeWe]

I installed Kibblewhite last time. 2 months ago
Before that APE, I broke one stud during installation. Probably due to the borrowed torque wrench that must been wrong calibrated.  I bought new wrench that needed over 36Nm to continue the tightening movement of head nuts.

These studs are more rigid than OEM, 18 lb·ft minimum to 22 lb·ft maximum.

They look very similar when inspecting them. Maybe difference threading process? I do not know.

My experience:
If you snap one, replace them all to avoid future $$$ problem if it snap during driving. Use a correct torque wrench and stay under 22ft lbs. I torqued 28Nm last time (20.65 ft lbs)

[timbo750]

I've only ever used either APE or NOS RC studs Timbo, and have never had a problem with them. Kibblewhite stuff is very high quality too though, so it really depends on how deep your pockets are.

Big Jay (owner of APE) is a member here and I'm sure he'd look after you if you busted one of his, but it's bloody unlikely that you will. Cheers, Terry.

Terry, thanks for that. I am sure I have read about two broken studs and one of them was definitely the story PeWe told which is not a fault of APE. I suppose I made the assumption that if the Kibblewhite studs were so much more expensive then they should be better, but no one seems to be able to back it.

I will check my torque wrench is working right and order the APE.

[Lostboy Steve]

I used the ape studs and they have been great so far. They are much beefier than stock.

[PeWe]

APE has been used world wide during many years.
I think it is easy to believe that the studs can be tightened very hard. Keeping the torque is the main thing here to avoid head leak.

Kibblewhite must not cost that much
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB750-1969-1978-Kibblewhite-Heavy-Duty-Cylinder-8mm-Stud-Set-30-0800-/171175589277?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27dadc359d&vxp=mtr

[flybox1]

I used the ape studs and they have been great so far. They are much beefier than stock.

+1

[Big Jay]

Have never seen a Kibb stud, so I can not comment on them. .

The price difference is no doubt due to the fact that we actually make these studs. The SOHCs we have made since about 1972. We are the people who make the majority of the powersports cylinder and main studs. From snowmobiles, supercharged watercraft, Hayabusas to CB400Fs.

All of our studs have rolled threads AFTER heat treat.

We make over 10,000 studs a year. We buy the material 2000 lbs at a time. We have this process down. Our studs were the first to top 200, 210, 220 and 230 mph in the quarter.

[Terry in Australia]

Well I do like the Kibblewhite box, but I don't know if it's worth the extra 40 bucks...........

[timbo750]

Well I do like the Kibblewhite box, but I don't know if it's worth the extra 40 bucks...........

I wish I had of worded my first question like that. What do you get for the extra 50% in cost, it would seem nothing.

[Retro Rocket]

Well I do like the Kibblewhite box, but I don't know if it's worth the extra 40 bucks...........

What do you get for the extra 50% in cost, it would seem nothing.

I wouldn't necessarily say that Tim, Kibblewhite's products are very high quality, not saying APE's aren't good either, I've bought a few parts from Jay at APE, I've also had an APE stud break but it was over 20 years old...

[timbo750]

I am not saying that they aren't good and have not implied that either. But there seems to be no reason or backup for them to be 50% more in price. Kibblewhite have been around a while and make a very wide range of products, but no one seems to know why they cost more.

Project 1 CB750 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126864

[Big Jay]

Well I do like the Kibblewhite box, but I don't know if it's worth the extra 40 bucks...........

I wish I had of worded my first question like that. What do you get for the extra 50% in cost, it would seem nothing.

I think you answered your own question.