Corrosion

[custard]

Hi all
I know this subject has been covered time and time again, but...
I have heard that a few people have replaced the sh** engine bolts with stainless, am I right in thinking that stainless causes corrosion when in contact with alloy????
I have a 07 GSA, and have notist quite a bit of corrosion around the rear wheel hub, where the bolts are, anybody else had this??
WHAT IS THE BEST THING TO DO

Rich

 

[kesha]

a few people have replaced the sh** engine bolts with stainless

- don't. voids the warranty and besides, stainless is not nearly as strong as stock bolts

WHAT IS THE BEST THING TO DO

silver hammerite

 

[John Armstrong]

- don't. voids the warranty and besides, stainless is not nearly as strong as stock bolts

For the engine case I don't think any lack of strength of stainless bolts will be a worry. Have to be carefull on wheel nuts and other stressed locations.

Not all stainless steels are the same, so some may not help in reducing corrsion, some may help though.

If it's an 07 GS then assuming it's still in warranty, I'd be off down to your dealer for their opinion on how soon they'll replace the bits.

 

[custard]

warranty

I have spoken to my local dealer, and they tell me that there is only 2 years warranty on the bikes, and my two years ranout in March 09, so not covered.

 

[NorthernBoy]

Bugger, I just ost my reply when gogling for a link.

Anyway, it came down to me suggesting that you just replace the corroded bolts with stainless ones, use a bit of copper grease or similar on them, and not get too concerned about any supposed issues with them increasing corrosion. The bolts themselvs should stay pretty decent for plenty of years to come, and I've never noticed them aggravating the rest of the bike in this respect.

I delve into my bucket from "Mr Fast'ner" that I bought at a show years back, but you can also buy a kit like this,

http://www.shawstainless.co.uk/www.shawstainless.co.uk/info.php?p=4

If you want to buy all the right bits.

 

[Slowdown]

Our very own Steptoe has been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century and his online shop does SS kits, disks and pads for 1200's...


Steptoes 1200 Stainless kit



I use something like this - http://www.raleigh.co.uk/p_details.aspx?id=991 to prevent the Stainless and the ally from corroding - I'm sure there's lots of other stuff on the market that does similar things

 

[Mark I H]

Hi all
I know this subject has been covered time and time again, but...
I have heard that a few people have replaced the sh** engine bolts with stainless, am I right in thinking that stainless causes corrosion when in contact with alloy????
I have a 07 GSA, and have notist quite a bit of corrosion around the rear wheel hub, where the bolts are, anybody else had this??
WHAT IS THE BEST THING TO DO

Rich

Hi had the same problem on the rear wheel hub. Had new wheel under warranty

 

[nix]

Take it from an aerospace engineer, don't use any form of stainess steel with aluminium alloys. It's absolutly pointless and although the bolts will still look good after many years, it's the alumimium which is the sacrificial element and will therefore suffer.

Also unless it's a proven high strength corrosion resisting steel (i.e. above 800 MPa ) then don't use them to attach stressed and safety critical components (i.e. brake discs , wheel attachments bolts etc).

Ignore the so called experts who will try to convince you otherwise and remember your life could depend on these bolts.

Nick

 

[OldCroc]

I have spoken to my local dealer, and they tell me that there is only 2 years warranty on the bikes, and my two years ranout in March 09, so not covered.

Keep trying with the dealer for a goodwill gesture if the bike is up to date with service etc. The corrosion did not start in March!

OldCroc

 

[NorthernBoy]

Take it from an aerospace engineer, don't use any form of stainess steel with aluminium alloys.

From http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=89,

"A large area of 'cathode' relative to 'anode' will accelerate the anodic corrosion. Although aluminium is anodic to stainless steel, large relative surface areas of aluminium to stainless steel can be acceptable, dependant on local conditions.
Stainless steel fasteners in aluminium plates or sheets are normally considered safe, whereas aluminium rivets or bolts holding stainless steel parts together is an unwise combination, as there is a practical risk of corrosion.

An example of the safe use of stainless steel and aluminium together is where stainless steel fasteners and hold down bolts are used to secure aluminium roadway or bridge parapet guards.
Even with no insulation between the metals, there should be little risk of corrosion.

In contrast, in a marine environment, severe localised pitting corrosion to the aluminium treads has been observed where un-insulated stainless steel bolts were used to secure the treads in place.
On the same ladder however, bolts with sound insulating washers did not show any pitting on the surrounding aluminium."

On the bike, stainless bolts in low-stress applications are just fine, so ignore "experts" who tell you otherwise...

 

[kesha]

On the bike, stainless bolts in low-stress applications are just fine, so ignore "experts" who tell you otherwise...

then don't use them to attach stressed and safety critical components (i.e. brake discs , wheel attachments bolts etc). Nick

so, where's the problem here ?

 

[Schtum]

In contrast, in a marine environment, severe localised pitting corrosion to the aluminium treads has been observed where un-insulated stainless steel bolts were used to secure the treads in place.

And there's the problem.....

In the UK, where sodium chloride is used on the roads in winter, it is pretty much a "marine environment".

 

[NorthernBoy]

And there's the problem.....

In the UK, where sodium chloride is used on the roads in winter, it is pretty much a "marine environment".

Nah, it's quite a long way from it still. True marine environment is utterly terrible in what it does to materials. The odd ride on salted roads doesn't come close.

 

[WiiMW]

I have just picked up a 08 yesterday... there is some corrosion...
first thing was to go around and "paint" acf-50 on all of the bolt heads ...

it did an amazing job on the last bike ... you get a bit of dirt sticking to it over time but a wash and re-apply and it looks like new again ...

the worst bits for me are the exhaust can -inside the shiny sleeve and the centerstand ....
may have to have the centerstand off for powdercoating