Topic: Using black steel oxide Allen bolts on valve cover

[Tugboat]

I bought stainless Allen bolts at the local bolt supply store for the top end of my CB750 when I needed to replace leaking pucks under the cam towers. I needed four 75mm ones, and of course they only come in 70mm or 80mm. The store only had two of the 80mm, so I was left with two 70mm bolts that are 5mm short. These ended up being the two that go through the back of breather cover, through the rocker cover and into the head. My concern is that I'm grabbing 5mm less threads back there. I was able to find a couple of 80mm black steel oxide Allen bolts that I can cut down, but I'm concerned with using those at all. In my experience they always rust eventually. So, would you:
(A) cut down the black bolts to 75mm, slather with anti-seize and hope for the best? Or..
(B) use the 70mm stainless bolts and hope they hold; Or...
(C) use the original screws and try to tighten as best I can?

Discuss.

[Tugboat]

Fixed.

[slikwilli420]

Why not buy the 80mm bolts and cut them down. The black oxide will look like crab in short order on a motorcycle. I would go with stainless and cut them to the correct length.

[Tugboat]

Umm.. did you read? They didn't have 80mm, only 70mm.

[ekpent]

 I would use the stock ones if I still had them in that spot. If it is the breather cover on top of the valve cover you hardly see them anyways when the tank is on. Could go back and change them out if frame tubes are not in the way when the 80mm is back in stock to cut down.

[newday777]

Amazon prime is usually 2 days or less if you can't get the stainless local.
Or paint the black bolts a silver for now.

[slikwilli420]

Umm.. did you read? They didn't have 80mm, only 70mm.

I missed the part they had some but not enough for the job. Guess its time to order from a place like Bel Metric or Allen's Fasteners. Black oxide is a non-starter for me since it looks like crap out of the bag and gets worse with exposure to the elements.