I have located a place where I can get replacement stainless steel bolts for the engine cases. I used the same place back in the 80s to replace all the engine hanger bolts including the step bar bolt and the large bolt used just above it at the upper rear of the engine. These bolts are still in perfect condition over 30 years later, no rust at all.
When I was rebuilding the engine of my 500 back in the mid 80s he didn't do a lot of the bolts he's now making, like the 10 8x100 bolts used to seal the crankcase halves together, he now does those and I ordered a single one to see what it looks like and it's perfect, I've now asked him if he can reproduce the large thick washers that these and the cylinder head nuts use under them, they are 8 x 14 x 3 I think (could do with some measuring one to confirm that as I haven't yet dismantled the engine).
If he comes back with a yes then would anyone else be interested?
This means bright shiny bolts without having to resort to having them BZP plated, no maintenance, will still look perfect in another 30 years and better in appearance. The trouble with BZP bolts/nuts is that they are designed to be sacrificial, that means they dull over time as the zinc plate sacrifices itself in order to protect the steel underneath, not knocking these bolts etc, that's what they are made to do and they do it really well. I however, prefer to just fit and forget.
There will be members on here aghast that I intend to replace standard Honda bolts/nuts with alternatives, those who insist on replacing the JIS screws in the casings with new JIS screws, not got a problem with that, if that floats your boat then go for it, I prefer to replace things I don't like with things I do like and I prefer to use stainless wherever possible.
