bolts.....

[wesmoon]

Well i recieved my package for mast of my gsxr conversion... the guy i bought it from was kind enough not to include ANY hardware! so my question is if i cant get him to send it up, is it okay to use high grade bolts from the hardware store or do i need to order oem? this is fro triples and calipers. thanks in advance

 

[posplayr]

Well i recieved my package for mast of my gsxr conversion... the guy i bought it from was kind enough not to include ANY hardware! so my question is if i cant get him to send it up, is it okay to use high grade bolts from the hardware store or do i need to order oem? this is fro triples and calipers. thanks in advance

I have substituted stainless for most

 

[Nessism]

I'd be careful using stainless hardware for structural components since there are different grades of stainless bolts just like there are different grades of steel bolts. Most of the hardware store varity stainless bolts are the low strength type and not suitable for applications such as holding the calipers on or on the suspension. Holding the fender in place is no problem though.

 

[posplayr]

I'd be careful using stainless hardware for structural components since there are different grades of stainless bolts just like there are different grades of steel bolts. Most of the hardware store varity stainless bolts are the low strength type and not suitable for applications such as holding the calipers on or on the suspension. Holding the fender in place is no problem though.

Ed,
I spoke with one of the ME's here at work who also happens to be a gear head. His opinion was that most of the bolts on the triple tree and fork clamps could be replaced with stainless and there were many stainless dressup kits for that. The main concern would be to not use stainless on bolts that have particularly high stress and may be susceptable to cyclic fatigue.

The main bolt to NOT REPLACE with stainless would be:

• brake caliper bolts
• wheel axles (if you could find them)
• maybe engine mounting bolts
• brake rotor or sprocket carrier bolts.

You might question the use of stainless on the triple clamp, but on my forks for example there is so much redundancy between fork clamps, fork braces (both over and under fender) I did not think there was much risk.

This is the standard garden variety avaliable at boltdepot

http://www.boltdepot.com/metric-socket-products.aspx

Stainless A-2 (18-8)
A-2 stainless is equivalent to 18-8 stainless. It is an alloy with high corrosion resistance and is the material of choice for most exterior and marine applications.

 

[Nessism]

Hey Jim,

18-8 fasteners are slightly weaker than Grade 5 SAE and 8.8 metric (Suzuki bolts with a 7 on them). I think it’s good advice to keep them away from brake rotors and such as you suggest.

BTW, A4 hardware which is 316 stainless has even higher corrosion durability, but they are more expensive as well.

 

[wesmoon]

8.8 is sufficient? also ran into a snag... top triple has 50% of the thread stripped out on one... now i need to find a away to fix or buy a new one...