I'm mounting some new case guards on my '77 550K (the kind that bolts to the engine mounts). The original mounting bolts are all too short..to accommodate the extra 5mm or so of thickness on the case guard flanges.
I can get longer bolts for the upper mounts..but the lower bolts..that go under the crankcase (between the cooling fins on bottom)..are not available with the smaller bolt heads. The Honda bolts have 14mm heads (9mm shank..fine thread). The commonly available bolts with 9mm shank..all have stock 17mm heads..which are too big to get a socket on (through the 4-pipes). the stock 17mm nuts..are also too big/wide..to get between the fins on the crankcase bottom.
I've seen many bikes..both 500 and 550..with these case guards on them. So I'm thinking that there must be some alternative source or type of bolts that are being used with these installations.
I'd appreciate some suggestions/guidance from those that have mounted the min-type case guards..as described above (sorry..no pics just yet). Hoping that I'm being clear..by my description above.
Thanks..Al / Ichi
