Replacing screws - chrome or stainless?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
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From: SE Michigan
Replacing screws - chrome or stainless?
I'm going to zip out to the hardware store, I'd like to replace as many zinc screws on the bike as poss - which should I get?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,308
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From: WA - The State
I'm slowly switching mine out to chrome.
Stainless is nice, but the threads can easily gall and can make removal difficult. If you go with stainless it's best to use a good quality anti-sieze with moly.
Stainless is nice, but the threads can easily gall and can make removal difficult. If you go with stainless it's best to use a good quality anti-sieze with moly.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,162
From: SE Michigan
Thanks - Lowes definitely has stainless, are they (or Home Despot, or <your hardware store here>) likely to carry chrome?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,308
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From: WA - The State
The Lowe's around here doesn't carry any chrome, and I haven't checked out Home Depot, so I'm not sure about them.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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Stainless....chrome is going to crack as soon as a tool comes into contact with it, then it will rust in the center. Go to Lowes and get a some buffing wheels and compound and mount them on your bench grinder and polish them. Looks way better than chrome, and won't ever rust. +1 on the anti seize. Get your hardware at Fastenal or HCI if you have one local.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Blairsville GA
You might consider polished stainless. There is a company in Daytona that sells kits for HD's. A lot cheaper than chrome and none of the problems associated with chrome.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 762
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From: mission bc canada
incorrect sorry ive been using stainless fasteners on my boats cars trucks,bikes for about 25 years ive never had the problem you speak of and i live in vancouver canada which has more rain per year than most places,and i have never used never sieze on them..they only corrode due to cross ozidization from bolting 2 different metals together without paint to isolate them..i have done every bolt on my sporty in stainless steel and without issue..i never used moly or never sieze ..they were and are easliy removed ..now the HD chrome bolts all rusted from the tool marks left from the allen wrench..HD still hasnt replaced their cheap chineese chrome bolts..
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 2
From: WA - The State
incorrect sorry ive been using stainless fasteners on my boats cars trucks,bikes for about 25 years ive never had the problem you speak of and i live in vancouver canada which has more rain per year than most places,and i have never used never sieze on them..they only corrode due to cross ozidization from bolting 2 different metals together without paint to isolate them..i have done every bolt on my sporty in stainless steel and without issue..i never used moly or never sieze ..they were and are easliy removed ..now the HD chrome bolts all rusted from the tool marks left from the allen wrench..HD still hasnt replaced their cheap chineese chrome bolts..
I work in a refinery here in the PNW not far from you. Whenever we use stainless bolts, compression fittings, etc, they are tossed after they come apart, if they come apart. We're having to cut them apart as often as unbolting them.
I'm not an opponent of stainless, nor a fan. It is what it is, and does what it does. It has lot's of uses in lots of applications. For myself I'd rather replace a chrome bolt every 5 years for a couple bucks if it happens to show some rust, as opposed to snapping a stainless one and having to deal with that. So far none of the chrome on my bike has shown any signs of rust, and a lot of it has been taken apart several times. It's not uncommon for my bike to sit out overnight, or be exposed to the elements. I'm probably lucky that way, also.