Stainless or coated bolt kits?

[Deleted account 200502001]

Im thinking of swapping some of the bolts on my GSA for stainless. But I know stainless doesn't like certain other metals such as aluminium, where instead of rusting it just corrodes instead. Maybe use coated high tensile bolts instead?

Are there any suitable bolt kits available for the GSA?

 

[Gargy]

I worked in the food industry for 15 years, and have never had a problem with stainless being in contact with Aluminium. You can get galvanic corrosion between the two materials, but if your worried about it, then use copper grease...........................

Copied and pasted from another site dealing with inox materials..........

When stainless steel is fastened ‘dry’ into Aluminium, galvanic corrosion can occur as the result of two different materials at opposite ends of the ‘metal nobility’ table being interfaced. In practical terms this means that alloy crankcases can oxidise around the fastener area very quickly. Copper based anti seize provides a third metal as the ‘sandwich’ and, as copper is placed in the centre of the ‘metal nobility’ table, it prevents Galvanic corrosion. Ordinary grease or oil will not work as they do not contain the vital element. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES use Aluminium grease of any sort - including aerosols - as it will probably seriously damage the castings.

I have changed hundreds of bolts for stainless steel ones over the years on various bikes, and never had a issue.

I use 'A2' grade which is 304 grade stainless. You can go better and buy 'A4' which is 316 grade, but there is no need to spend the extra................. IMHO.

 

[Roadrash Rider]

Bear motorworks sell a full kit but I think it's supplied by a company called Shaws I am just looking at one myself about £75 see link http://www.shawstainless.co.uk/www.shawstainless.co.uk/info.php?p=6


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[Rusty Bolts]

I used a little bit of spray on smooth hammerite on a artist brush and painted the heads in situ. It looks like a new zinc plated BMW bolt head.....well I think so

 

[Greenman14]

I don't know if there are coated bolt kits, but I would prefer these to stainless, though the coating might affect bolt friction and therefore the torque settings, so you could end up over-tightening. Check out this article.

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

 

[Martyn H]

Bear motorworks sell a full kit but I think it's supplied by a company called Shaws I am just looking at one myself about £75 see link http://www.shawstainless.co.uk/www.shawstainless.co.uk/info.php?p=6

Originally Keith Shaw, & now his son Chris. Top blokes both. Lovely fasteners, well packaged, & comprehensive range.

 

[Rusty Bolts]

Originally Keith Shaw, & now his son Chris. Top blokes both. Lovely fasteners, well packaged, & comprehensive range.

I have their brake pins front and rear, top piece of kit and always clean up well.

 

[Bendy toy]

I use a high solids high temperature anti seize paste. http://www.actioncan.co.uk/portfolio/cs-90-copper-anti-seize-grease-with-graphite/

The GSA side case bracket on the LHS is a split alloy block with two M8 stainless bolts. One was tight but the other so locked up it simply sheared off. I drilled it out, retapped and refitted with new bolts and CS-90. Ever since there has been no sign of either fastener seizing.

Has anyone tried this stuff http://www.henkelna.com/product-search-1554.htm?nodeid=8797882515457

 

[Rusty Bolts]

Stainless fasteners are prone to Galling where the surface of the fastener sliding over another (usually softer such as Aluminium alloy) can pick up material from the other part and causes it to lock up. The result is the same as corrosion in that they usually snap off. Can be prevented by the use of a lubricant on the sliding surfaces.

 

[Bendy toy]

Galling is much worse with stainless to stainless. I therefore use a carbon steel nut on stainless bolts. Not perfect of course and A2 with A4 might help.
The other issue is the lack of compliance in stainless threads. They just go suddenly tight. There is next to no "spring" to hold them tight so they quickly shake loose.
Thread lock helps and reduces the risk of galling but stainless nuts with stainless bolts can be unreliable. Maybe use a heavy duty thread lock or some sort of locking tape.
I have never had aluminium gall onto stainless. I have had aluminium corrode and seize but as we know that's a different problem.