Topic: 1979 CB650

[scott jones]

Hi there, Scott here. I have a 1979 CB650 that I just got. It's a little bit of a basket case but it seems to be all there. I was putting the cylinder head on last night & I managed to break 1 of the head bolts. It broke before i got to 17 ft lbs. Are these bolts reusable or should I have gotten new ones. Thanks.

[RAFster122s]

Usually they can be reused but, always a good idea to change them if you can afford it. Not sure if manual has specs for length to determine if they can be reused or replaced...stretched length...

[scott jones]

I understand. Thanks. I'll look for that.

[DaveBarbier]

Hi, these aren’t stretch bolts so it must have been a bolt on the exhaust side which was rusted up. You can guy them online but be aware that there’s 2 different lengths. Also these bolts should have oil or moly grease on the threads and under the head flange when torquing. That wouldn’t have asked the break so no worries if you didn’t add that.

If the bolt snapped and it didn’t look in bad shape I’d have a look at calibrating your torque wrench.