Author Topic: valve spring retainers Al or Ti? (Read 6661 times)

01Thomas · « **on:** July 26, 2016, 11:11:07 am »

Having been given a set of valve spring retainers with a bike I bought, how would I tell if they are aluminium or titanium? is there an easy way? They're very obviously not steel.

And when would I use one rather than the other?

regards
Thomas

scottly · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2016, 07:30:56 pm »

Thomas, TI is preferable over AL in any case. If they are anodized red, they are probably AL, but just because they are silver colored doesn't mean they are TI. I don't know of a simple way to identify TI in general, and if anyone does know a way, please chime in. In the case of the retainers, pics would help, as the AL retainers are usually thicker in some areas.

scottly · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2016, 08:02:05 pm »

I *think* this is a TI retainer:

dragracer · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2016, 10:56:47 pm »

Most of the aluminum retainers I've seen are typically anodized in some color- normally reddish. Titanium retainers are usually natural metallic finish and weigh a tab more. Neither are magnetic if I remember right.

gschuld · « **Reply #4 on:** July 27, 2016, 04:01:54 am »

I had a set of retainers that I thought were titanium. They had an older clear anodized finish.

Titanium retainers typically have a dull grey color. They weight about 30% more than aluminum. I have photos of both a set of aluminum and titanium retainers on my digital gram scale, but I can't locate them at the moment.

I can weight a set of aluminum retainers to compare if that helps. My titanium sets are currently in use.

Do you have an accurate gram scale handy?

George

turboguzzi · « **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2016, 05:41:11 am »

Ti any day over Al... touch lightly the collar with a grinding stone on a dremel, Ti will make sparks immediately

gschuld · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2016, 07:05:18 am »

Ah, found them. Hope this helps. Vintage RC aluminum retainers vs titanium retainers.

George

bwaller · « **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2016, 07:30:43 am »

weighing the stockers would add persepctive.

754 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2016, 08:39:45 am »

Alum roughly 1/3 the weight of steel.

MRieck · « **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2016, 08:59:52 am »

The bomb http://www.yoshimura-rd.com/prodcat/223-506-0000-suzuki-gsxr1000-750-600-valve-retainer-set-16pcs.asp
OEM for those bikes are hard anodized aluminum. The Yoshimura pieces are steel. 875.00 a set.....what a deal.

gschuld · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2016, 09:31:18 am »

Quote from: bwaller on July 27, 2016, 07:30:43 am

weighing the stockers would add persepctive.

Sheesh, now you are getting picky.....

. I'll weight a set of steel stock retainers when I get home today to compare.

George

01Thomas · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2016, 11:02:20 am »

Thanks for all the responses. I do have access to a gram scale but I'll probably only get there next week. In the meantime I'll take some photos tomorrow evening.

In fact I have two different sets. The first came with SOHC 750 parts and are coloured (anodised?) reddish. The second set came with my Bimota's Kawa GPz1100 engine and are coloured/anodised golden. The one's for the Bimota I definitely can't use because it seems they are for shim-under-bucket set-up, while I'm running a shim-on-bucket set-up.

While on the subject, with the Bimota (it came as a lego-puzzle, aka basket case) I also got two long bolts with an M10F thread. They are long enough to be engine mounting bolts or some such. They are very light and are at least partially drilled length-wise. Up to now I only haul them out of their box when I want to score brownie points with someone :-)

regards
Thomas

Big Jay · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2016, 11:02:29 pm »

APE titanium retainer

More but not Honda.

MRieck · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2016, 06:35:36 am »

Quote from: Big Jay on July 28, 2016, 11:02:29 pm

APE titanium retainer

More but not Honda.

Jay....Just bought a set of them from you for an early GSXR . And springs. Got them yesterday. Thanks!!

Big Jay · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2016, 11:48:19 pm »

Anytime my friend. Glad to be of service.

Don R · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2016, 10:53:26 am »

I took an old K0 head apart, it had some cool aluminum retainers and short aftermarket triple springs with big spacers under them I decided to use them in my 836 build, as I was removing them I noticed on the last one the keepers had nearly pulled through the retainer, changed my mind instantly.
I got a set of APE springs and ti retainers and run the motor with no worry.

754 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2016, 10:55:54 am »

Some of the early stuff had excessive. Spring pressure..hard on parts all around..

MRieck · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2016, 03:47:45 pm »

Quote from: 754 on July 31, 2016, 10:55:54 am

Some of the early stuff had excessive. Spring pressure..hard on parts all around..

That's the truth Frank. To much spring destroys guides quickly too. A balance is necessary and that's where a Rimac comes in handy.

scottly · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2016, 05:31:20 pm »

Whut's a Rimac? Valve spring tester?

MRieck · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2016, 05:57:41 pm »

Quote from: scottly on July 31, 2016, 05:31:20 pm

Whut's a Rimac? Valve spring tester?

Yes sir.

scottly · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2016, 06:20:38 pm »

Fun facts about Titanium:
Titanium has a better strength to weight ratio than any other metal at room temperature.
It is the forth most abundant metal, exceeded only by aluminum, iron, and magnesium.
Commercially pure Ti weighs .163 pound per cubic inch, while Al weighs about .100 lb/ci, and stainless steels around .290.

754 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2016, 06:40:47 pm »

And your wallet will scream when buying bar stock.

Big Jay · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2016, 11:44:52 pm »

Quote from: 754 on July 31, 2016, 06:40:47 pm

And your wallet will scream when buying bar stock.

Tell me about it. WE buy lots of it.

Big Jay · « **Reply #23 on:** August 01, 2016, 11:45:57 pm »

Quote from: MRieck on July 31, 2016, 05:57:41 pm

Quote from: scottly on July 31, 2016, 05:31:20 pm
Whut's a Rimac? Valve spring tester?
Yes sir.

And they are now out of business. WE have two of them.

Bill/BentON Racing · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2016, 06:40:48 am »

I sure like mine, scored it about 6 months ago, stole it my opinion, $325.00 on ebay, Bill

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Author Topic: valve spring retainers Al or Ti? (Read 6661 times)