Engine bolts & capheads.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
From: Hampshire, UK
Engine bolts & capheads.
Thinking of changing out as many of the bolts and capheads on my bike out to Stainless Steel / Chrome.
When it comes to the primary and pushrod covers etc, can I get away with changing out one at a time without ruining/replacing any gaskets.
Is there anything I should watch out for, sensors etc.
There sure is alot of bolts/screws when you sit down and work them all out.
Anyone else done this. The reason I am doing this is because the stock zinc stuff dulls out real quick in this great weather we have here in the UK.
Any thoughts & ideas would be appreiciated.
Thanks
Rob
When it comes to the primary and pushrod covers etc, can I get away with changing out one at a time without ruining/replacing any gaskets.
Is there anything I should watch out for, sensors etc.
There sure is alot of bolts/screws when you sit down and work them all out.
Anyone else done this. The reason I am doing this is because the stock zinc stuff dulls out real quick in this great weather we have here in the UK.
Any thoughts & ideas would be appreiciated.
Thanks
Rob
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: So. Cal
RE: Engine bolts & capheads.
I did them one at a time with no gasket issues.Just realize going in some of them are going to be a realpain.I bought the Harley kit and they came with some sort of loctite already applied.If yours don't make sure to use some.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 59
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From:
RE: Engine bolts & capheads.
I'm trying to decide the same thing. I saw the chorme caps on a lightpowder and it really looks sharp. HD has a kit which is a little more then $100 that covers a bunch of them. The only downside to the caps is removing them when necessary. IMHO they really dress the bike up more than replacing all the bolts with chrome..
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 334
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From:
RE: Engine bolts & capheads.
I had Hot Topper covers on my bike. Couple issuse are cost, expensive for plastic, hard to remove without wrecking them, thus you spend more to replace them, chrome peeling off the caps if near heat. I am starting to change out to polished stainless. The stainless is more expensive than the plastic caps, but they will last forever.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 26
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From:
RE: Engine bolts & capheads.
I bought a set of plastic caps from Custom Chrome for less than $30 two years ago. Did my complete engine and they still look great. Can't tell them from chrome. Heat hasn't affected them. Put a dot of silicone on them and they won't come off. You can still remove them if you need to.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
RE: Engine bolts & capheads.
Are the Hot Toppers you put on a HD product? The "chrome" caps that I've seen from HD cost $3.95 each but I'm not sure what the base material is.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 26
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From:
RE: Engine bolts & capheads.
Go to Customchrome's website and find a dealer near you. The ones I found were $30 for 3 dozen. Watch Ebay also. They pop up on there from time to time.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rochester, NY
RE: Engine bolts & capheads.
Hot Topper's are the easy way out, they look good are easy to use. [sm=bling.gif]
But for my money I would rather have the polished stainless steel. No problems with loosing them (like the Toppers) or reusing them (having the chrome flak off a bolt head) if you need to take something apart later.
IMHObeingvirtually maintenance freemakes stainless steelTHE hands downbetter choice. Especially if you live near salt water or under a cloud, like in the UK where even good chrome can somtimes go bad.
Sorry Rob, I couldn't resist adding that little bit. [sm=joke.gif]
But for my money I would rather have the polished stainless steel. No problems with loosing them (like the Toppers) or reusing them (having the chrome flak off a bolt head) if you need to take something apart later.
IMHObeingvirtually maintenance freemakes stainless steelTHE hands downbetter choice. Especially if you live near salt water or under a cloud, like in the UK where even good chrome can somtimes go bad.
Sorry Rob, I couldn't resist adding that little bit. [sm=joke.gif]
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 367
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From:
RE: Engine bolts & capheads.
I agree with Citoriplus..Stainless bolts are the way to go...I have been replacing the stock bolts as I come up with the money....
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