Nuts and Bolts

[Guest]

When refurbishing what is the best way to replace all the old nuts and bolts? Is there a good source? Or is there a good way to bring them back to looking new?

[Nessism]

Found this in the archives using the search feature. My thread! http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=144575

[azr]

It's fairly easy to bring all your bolts back to shinny new. Wire wheel them (if they are rusty), then hit them with a buffing wheel or just buff them if they're not rusty. On the 'wet' coast this new look doesn't last that long, a few weeks maybe a month or two if you are lucky or longer if you park in a garage at night. You can keep the rust away with some spray like WD40 or the like there of. If you're lucky enough to live in a dry climate I'm sure they'll last a lot longer. I spent the $100 and had all of mine including axle bolts and such Cadmium plated. Well worth the money I think, supposed to last over ten years if not longer. There's tons of threads on here where to buy new stainless steel bolts and such.

[HaggisHombre]

Thanks good info from both of you, I will consider my options. It would be a shame to refurbish my bike then have it look tatty in a couple of weeks as I do live on the wet coast the north wet ha ha.

[sharpy]

If you have a little money try here. Its bolt porn......

https://www.tastynuts.com

[SVSooke]

I wire brushed then painted most of the nuts bolts and washers on my 85 750 project using these

Paint then bake in the oven.Let cool a bit then respray while warm,re bake then let cool.Going to get a toaster oven so I can do small batches in the shed instead of the house.My wife does not mind me doing it inside but if I don't have to.....

[koolaid_kid]

For fasteners, such as when I rebuild carbs, I buy in bulk at mcmaster-carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/#screws/=cb6lvw ). When I need something fast or in singles, I go to my local Ace Hardware. I try to always get stainless steel parts whenever possible.

[HaggisHombre]

These are all great suggestions and links thank you. One question that came up as I read the responses is, how do you know what thread to buy? or to put it another way how do you know the exact bolt to buy?

[koolaid_kid]

Try this link for a template for measuring: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=173999

After a while you can recognize them by sight.

[Big T]

These are all great suggestions and links thank you. One question that came up as I read the responses is, how do you know what thread to buy? or to put it another way how do you know the exact bolt to buy?

You'll find that

1. A lot of the bolts out there won't have the same size heads, built in washers, etc as the original ones. The Japanese have their own approach to these things
2. You'll find it's easy to spend over $100 on bolts, especially stainless. So AZR's approach gives you the originals in better than new condition for $100
3. #2 aside, check Ebay for a SS allen head bolt kit for the side cases if yours has the crappy Phillips head bolts- I think I got a complete set for about $30 (less than $1/bolt)