Topic: New screws

[oldbiker]

I recently bought a set of stainless screws for my CB400f which I duly fitted after the bike had been standing for a week. Next day I took the bike out of the workshop and tried to start it. NOTHING!! The motor would not turn over on the starter and when I tried to kick it over, it was solid (frozen). Fearing that something had broken I started to investigate. Finally I discovered that the three small countersunk screws that hold on the Emblem on the alternator cover were a little too long and were projecting right through and fouling the rotor. Such a stupid little thing but it gave me a fright.
I hope this prevents someone else having this happen.

[Chrisboden]

Yeah, I bought a "Screw Kit" for my bike and every single screw is a little bit longer or shorter. The fact that I got a baggie with a business card and not any form of instructions whatsoever didn't help either.

[Tim.]

When I decided to put socket cap bolts on my bike, I used the parts manual and built my own list of bolts to buy.  Then I went down to my local fastener shop (Brafasco here in Southern Ontario) and bought the lot.

When the exact size wasn't available, I went for the closest smaller size, so long as it was pretty close.  Alternatively, you could grind a longer bolt down to the spec size from your parts manual.

For critical bolts like the ones you mention, it might be better to simply order new ones from Honda.  Granted, they may be phillips heads, but how often do you remove those particular bolts anyhow?  New bolts will still look nice, even Phillips.

[Paul]

the three small countersunk screws that hold on the Emblem on the alternator cover were a little too long and were projecting right through and fouling the rotor.

I had the exact same problem except the rotor wasn't stuck or stiff, The bolt was shorting out the windings somehow (it wasn't long enough to jam anything) I knew there was a "wiring" problem but every time I took the cover off to check the windings, wiring etc there was no fault. Turned out the bolt was only two threads too long...took me a while to find that one.!

[Chrisboden]

I'd love to replace all the fasteners on my bike, but the only place I can get them locally sells minimum lots of 100!