Hi all, I recently had to replace the cylinder studs on my cb550f during an overhaul. So fun I can't even remember all the expletives.
The middle eight studs (the ones exposed to the elements) were rusted really badly, and two of the front ones twisted off. I tried heating the block and freezing the stud, penetrating lubricant, tapping, welding a nut on, and an impact wrench. Then I tried drilling them out and using a bolt extractor, which of course lead to one braking off in a stud, deep beneath the surface of the crankcase... That's definitely the last time I'll use a cheap chinese screw extractor.
So, I'm going to mill them out (should be loads of fun) and helicoil them. BUT I can't find replacement studs (part 90034-323-000 for the front, 90034-323-000 for the rear). Honda's discontinued them, and every place I've checked has no NOS. ARP and APE don't make studs for the cb 500/550 f/k, and I haven't found another aftermarket manufacturer. As a last resort I'll pull some off a junker...
I'm considering machining my own from some high grade stainless m8x1.25 threaded rod or some such. I've looked around for info about people doing this, and have found a few mentions of it working well, especially with the anti-seizing aspect, but no first-hand accounts. It makes me think either it's a fine idea or it's stupid and those people don't know what they're talking about.
Anyone have any personal experience with DIY cylinder studs, or have any other useful thoughts?
--altaic
