Am I safe to back-out / replace these rusted engine bolts one by one? If so, does anyone know the size / specs for the bolts...I can't seem to locate them in the parts diagram(s). https://imgur.com/a/4z7I2tA Thank you in advance for any help!
I have found hardware on bikes are, a lot of times quite special. Not only must you match the diameter, length and thread pitch. You also need to find the correct shoulder length [the unthreaded part] . I would pull them out, one at a time, and use a wire wheel on a bench grinder to buff off the rust. I use a brass wire wheel for this kind of thing. Just watch you fingers doing this. Quick way to lose some skin if you are not careful. ...J.D.
After the input and some consideration, I do think I'm going to abandon the idea of taking them out - probably safest to just try to clean them up while still in place. Thanks for the input!
if you can sand the tops to clean them up then use a clear varnish on them clean i use the varnish from a paint touch up kit keeps them looking good
they look important like they hold crank bearings in ect what I would do is use hammerite paint on them with a small touch up brush colour to your tastes of course
Worked on this a bit today; Scrubbed the rusted bolt heads down with white vinegar and let sit overnight then went at them with first a toothbrush, then a brass brush then a steel-wool Dremel wheel and then some Flitz polish with the Dremel. Took all of that just to get rid of about 50 - 60% of the orange / brown tint...this rust is etched in there deeply. They do look better than they did; enough so that the eye is no longer drawn toward them. I may just put a coat of clear on it to inhibit the return of rust in the future and call it a day. If I decide that I still can't live with it, I like the suggestions for the Hammerite or the caps (found black ones on eBay). Thanks to all for the input!!
csp66 Glad you didn't go ahead with removing those as the are indeed crank case bolts and unless you are rebuilding the engine then leave them be. Not only are holding the two cranks together they hole the crank unions and are special torque items and must be replaced with the exact same as any other will shear. Yes clean then and you can get chrome covers for them. That's more associated with Harley people but I am sure if you go on ebay you will find bolt covers then use your clear coat and put the covers on and they will lock in place. Regards Joe.
The two front bolts are just casing bolts ! The one's behind the cylinders maybe holding internal engine mounts and crank journals , but I think not ! I've had the front ones out , using one as earthing point , moved my battery (went for 18/22 ampere) it wouldn't fit in battery tray ! Battery now hangs off foot peg mounting support !
The two front bolts are just casing bolts ! The one's behind the cylinders maybe holding internal engine mounts and crank journals , but I think not ! I've had the front ones out , using one as earthing point , moved my battery (went for 18/22 ampere) it wouldn't fit in battery tray ! Battery now hangs off foot peg mounting support !
