chrome or stainless?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
Use stainless and get a bottle of high temp anti-seize. If the stainless fasteners go into aluminum you are going to have a dissimilar metals situation that will set up corrosion. Coat the stainless heavy in anti-seize and problem solved. It would also be a good idea to do the fasteners going into steel also.
When I read this I thought you were full of crap. Aluminum doesn't rust and neither does Stainless steel. I did a little research and got myself a quick education on galvanic corrosion. Interesting stuff. From what I read, I don't think there will be much of a problem with using stainless fasteners into alumunum but the fact that there actually IS a potential for corrosion is interesting as heck to me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,523
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
Type
When I read this I thought you were full of crap. Aluminum doesn't rust and neither does Stainless steel. I did a little research and got myself a quick education on galvanic corrosion. Interesting stuff. From what I read, I don't think there will be much of a problem with using stainless fasteners into aluminum but the fact that there actually IS a potential for corrosion is interesting as heck to me.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Disimilar Metals
The corrosion would be on the threads and the shanks of the bolts...If it gets bad enough the heads of the bolts would just pop off or the shank will break. That is when it gets to intergranular and things turn to dust. Granted it would take a long time for this to happen but if your bike was in storage or if the fasteners weren't changed or checked for years it could be a problem.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville, TN
I use nothing but Chrome bolts. You just need to know how to take care of the rust problem. First and formost I always blow dry it with my shop vac after I wash it. Second, twice a year I'll get a q-tip wet with WD-40 and rub the inside of those button top bolts. Never had a rust problem yet.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
I use nothing but Chrome bolts. You just need to know how to take care of the rust problem. First and formost I always blow dry it with my shop vac after I wash it. Second, twice a year I'll get a q-tip wet with WD-40 and rub the inside of those button top bolts. Never had a rust problem yet.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
What size chrome allen head bolts are needed for the derby cover? Can you get these at ACE? How about the polished SS? Seems a few folks are swapping to these as the torx that come from the factory usually strip out rather easily
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
thanks guys for your input. the reason I haven't been back since opening this thread is as of 10:00 this morning I have a new grandson. We were at the hospital all night. Mom dad and baby are doing great.....thanks again for your help.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Langley, BC. Canada
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