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renewing your hardware

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by turtlejoint, Sep 9, 2008.

  1. turtlejoint

    turtlejoint Member

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    as i am tearing down this bike and putting it back together, i find that the hardware is about the only thing you cant paint. so, im wondering what you guys use.

    i soaked some parts in clr and then brushed and ultrasonically cleaned them. only to find that they rusted almost immediatly once they dried. im a little confused as to the best way to get your hardware to look new and stay looking that way.

    any ideas?
     
  2. pygmy_goat

    pygmy_goat Member

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    Stainless. I've seen a few people do it, but I haven't done it myself, although I think I will.

    Easy, because any decent hardware store should carry either stainless or chromed bolts that fit pretty much everything on the bike, but not cheap. I think brent said that he spent $16 to replace just the carb hardware. Course, there's a lot of screws on the carbs, but many more on the rest of the bike.
     
  3. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I bought a neat kit of plated, automotive grade nuts-n-bolts for "Imported cars" (careful, there's one for BMW, VW, Audi; and one for Japanese cars, only one had the correct "pitch" fasteners in the assortment) at AutoZone or Murrays and REPLACE anything that's too far gone, rust-wise. The rest I polish with Solvol or Mothers and then again with NEVR-DULL. NEVR-DULL contains an oily wax that stays behind and protects. Spray immediately-cleaned stuff down with PB Blast or CRC5-15 or Justice Bros to prevent rusting on things like threads, etc.
     
  4. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    There are Stainless Steel Fastener "Kits" on eBay that will supply you with enough Fasteners to do all Covers and Outside Cases for under 15-Bucks!

    Several of them aren't "Auctions"
    They are "Buy it Now" offerings.

    I bought two complete Kits and have Stainless Cap Screws on both of my bikes.
    You WILL love it!

    Just click this Link and "Buy it NOW"!

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stainles ... 0283898389
     
  5. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    thats a truly amazing deal, Rick, what is their tensile strength like?
     
  6. wamaxim

    wamaxim Active Member

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    I keep seeing advice to use stainless steel hardware to replace standard steel hardware. Has anyone had any trouble with the ss hardware oxidixizing the aluminum parts that are being fastened? Stainless steel is more "noble" than aluminum and as such will draw electrons from the aluminum causing oxidation.

    One should NEVER replace standard steel bolts with stainless on a boat motor or aluminum hulled boats for instance as the corrosion will ruin the aluminum parts. I had stainless oarlocks on my Valco boat and the oarlocks created holes approx. 1" X 2"

    This happens in fresh water as well as saltwater. Much more quickly in salt water.


    Just wondering.
     
  7. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I always wondered why manufacturers didn't use stainless; British bikes had all cadmium-plated hardware, which is a dullish silver and will eventually rust, like chrome plated stuff. The "galvanic action" mentioned by wamaxim is worth taking into consideration...although not exposed to moisture nearly as much as a boat, there are areas on a bike that could trap moisture and have that situation develop...
     
  8. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    might try this for some parts
    http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1 ... lcast.html
    that stuff is just paint so wrenches will mess it up
    stainless bolts are way stronger than the aluminum they screw into
    i've got stainless all over and never noticed any oxidation on the aluminum
    it's in
    i don't think i've ever found anything but metric standard threads on a yamaha
    manufacturers don't use stainless because it costs too much
     
  9. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    No problems at all after over 3 years with the Stainless Hardware.
    I smear-on some AntiSeize to anything (everything) I know I might need to revisit, anyway.

    But, as for corrosion problems.
    None at all.

    Just good looking cases.
     
  10. Wombat

    Wombat Member

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    That kit is definitely worth the money. I priced out stainless hardware for my engine case bolts and carb bolts on McMaster-Carr and I was paying well over one hundred dollars for it all. Granted, I was getting packs of 25, 50, and 100 on most all of the bolt sizes and I certainly wouldn't mind having the extra hardware lying around for future projects, but it's so hard to pass up a $16 stainless steel hardware kit.

    I just need to figure out if that kit will also work with my XJ700X engine case. I have about $15 in "ebay bucks" that need to be spent by tomorrow!
     
  11. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    The key to preventing the corrosion of the aluminum with stainless hardware is the use of anti-seize. The folks I bought my stainless set from thoughtfully included instructions specifically requiring the use of it. Just about everyone I've had any dealings with as far as hardware goes has insisted on the use of the anti-seize.
     

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