Topic: Stainless or Zinc Plated Screw kits

[PurduePete]

Hey there everyone!

So I am currently restoring...ish, my 1973 CB500. It had some rust so I powder coated the frame and such. Also started to replace fasteners on the engine. Personally I like the idea of Zinc Plated SHCS and replaced two covers 4 years ago with great results this far. I am toying with the idea of offering kits specifically for the CB500 in either stainless or zinc and was wondering 2 things. First, is there interest? I'd use eBay and the sale section here probably. Another question is do you guys like one or the other more. Stainless has its issues like the galvanic corrosion and the general inability to heat treat but I don't believe zinc plated would last as long. I've had the zinc plated on my bike for 4 years now and had no issues removing, and they still look bright and great.

I have put thought into this and the risks, but I would like thoughts. A supplier for the bolts has already been found locally.

[lrutt]

Given you already went PC on the frame, just as well go SS on the fasteners. Since you're not going for a real resto, just make it nice.  There is already one guy over on the ADVrider forum that does full up SS kits for a LOT of bikes. All nicely pre-packaged. I'll try and find his info and post it back.

[lrutt]

guy goes by Stinlesscycle on the Advrider.com forum.

Here is a link that leads you to his name.

http://www.stainlesscycle.com/presta/en/21-stainless-motorcycle-kits

I used him for a kit for my Moto Guzzi Lemans 850. Very nice and complete kit.

[flybox1]

Ive used stainless cycle twice now.
great product.

http://www.stainlesscycle.com/presta/en/50-honda

[PurduePete]

Well from the looks of it, there might not be a whole lot of market if I were to make my own kits for sale.

One thing about the stainless stuff is that it is not as strong as zinc. Just a consideration. Might still look into making up a few kits myself and trying to sell them. I've about convinced myself just to stick with the zinc honestly. Strength and also I had absolutely not issue with the fasteners being frozen or anything when I removed them from my bike.

[lrutt]

the tq specs for the 6mm screws on the covers are so low, strength is not a concern. Now if you were going to use them for the bolts to clamp the case halves together, then possibly but i'd still guess that the SS are strong enough.

There are 10's of thousands of these bikes running around with SS fasteners holding them together no problem.

[toolguy]

the main issue I found with the existing Stainless allen head sets on EBay is the tappet covers wont come on and off
over a couple of the cam cover allen's. . Had to machine them to have a taper  for clearance to work. .

[PurduePete]

You're mistaken if you think stainless is not strong. Stainless is available in many different grades, and has strength far in excess of what these bikes need (in virtually every application). Zinc plated screws will also corrode against aluminum as they are still dissimilar metals. A little antisieze or thread lube solves that problem.

I agree that socket head cap screws on the valve cover are problematic with the tapper covers. I prefer button head cap screws in that application (stainless, polished). Or step up to ARP bolts and really love yourself!

I am aware of stainless properties. Learned about it in material science courses in college. I also design custom automation equipment, which includes dunk testers of all stainless construction. Perhaps I am used to much higher requirements. I understand the torque values are low, need to realize that this isn't a machine for a production environment. Thanks for your input guys. I did get some zinc fasteners for my bike. Cost me under $5 through my supplier From work.

[Stev-o]

I buy ss socket head screws for about 10 cents ea at a local specialty hardware supplier.

[jamesbekman]

Any of you ever have problems with stainless stripping threads in parts that were cast etc?  Or stripped stainless threads?

[jamesbekman]

I would think anodized would be better.  Ive stripped carb bowl threads by putting a stainless screw in place of the original screw. 

[strynboen]

its importment to lube..the stailness threds..or it vill make frikton,,,and eat the softer metall..just put some greese(not kobbergrease) it can start(.say not it vill.)..a kemick process vho eats the aluminium..if there comes vater in  konnektion

[Stev-o]

Any of you ever have problems with stainless stripping threads in parts that were cast etc? 

Never.