how to tell the size of bolts and nuts..

[Johnny K]

82' GS850 and am planning on putting new bolts and nuts while I replace the gaskets on the cylinder heads and so forth. I have a small leak in the valve and head. The bolts I can figure out. I read from a post earlier. I tried to see if bolt depot carries (6*39) for the dimension, but couldn't find it. I think it either runs 6*35 or 6*40. But not a 6*39. The 8 nuts off the cylinder head measure 08316-10107. Then it says it replaces (08316-16108). Just really confused on that part. And the washer for the same nut measures (10.5*22*2.3) and (09160-10039). Really appreciate it if you guys could help me out in reading the sizes of the nuts and washers in trying to save money doing it myself rather than buying off "name brand" websites. Thanks.

[robertbarr]

This reply should be peppered with asterisks, because it's very generalized, but:

Metric is really simple. It's just diameter x pitch, both in mm. Diameter is pretty self-explanatory. Pitch is the number of millimeters per thread (which is backward of the typical 'fractional' or 'inch' specs which denote threads per inch).

A spec of 6x39 wouldn't make much sense then. Standard and fine thread metric specs can be found at boltdepot; for a 6mm diameter, a pitch of 1.0 is standard across the line (ie, there's no typical fine thread). This table lists everything you're likely to encounter on a GS:

http://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Measuring/Metric-Thread-Pitch.aspx

Bolt depot also has some printable 'tools' for identifying metric bolts & nuts. Can't beat the price. They print out in actual 1:1 size, so you just compare & match directly.

If anyone else wants to chime in, please do.

[chef1366]

I was going to mention one of these but I thought that would be too simple.

[themess]

That fancy blue tool can be purchased for a couple of bucks.

[psyguy]

the factory original washer for the engine head nuts is: 10.5X22X2.3
10.5 internal diameter in mm
22 external dia in mm
2.3 thickness in mm
but practicaly any standard "M10" washer should do

the 4 outside washers are made of copper and should be replaced with such (as they seal the oil-ways)

from memory, the nuts are M10x1.25 ie. 10mm dia, 1.25mm pitch (fine)

hope this helps

[psyguy]

M6x39 stands for 39mm long bolt 6mm in diameter
You're not likely to find the exact lenght other than from the factory
M6x40 should be fine, but measure the depth of the bolt hole just to be absolutely shure it's deep enough to take a mm longer bolt (from memory, you should not have any probs on an 850 engine)

[Kahuna]

chef1366, That is one scary avator. Put a John Wayne hat on it and you got Mc Clintock.

[Johnny K]

I appreciate it psyguy. Im gonna go searching now for prices and whatnot.

[Johnny K]

The bolt im talking about is from the cylinder head requiring 16 of them. It has (6*39) but for a number under neath it says 09103-06026. Just confused because the last set should be the length where its saying 26???

[Johnny K]

One more question. I looked on bolt depot and am not sure as to what bolt to put on my cylinder head cover (6*40) (6*45) (6*25). My oil pan bolts (6*30) (6*25). They had two different types. "Metric standard bolts" or "Metric full thread (tap) bolts". Thanks again for the help.

[Suzuki_Don]

The bolt im talking about is from the cylinder head requiring 16 of them. It has (6*39) but for a number under neath it says 09103-06026. Just confused because the last set should be the length where its saying 26???

The number after the description (09103-06026) is the Suzuki Part #. I don't think it bears any relationship to the length of the bolts. The bolts you are talking about are the ones for the camshaft holding down cap. The other bolts you mentioned for the valve cover can be of varying lengths. The 2 on the ends diagonally opposite each other with the dowells in them are 5mm longer than the others. On my 550 there were 14 that were 6x40mm and 2 that were 6x45mm for the dowelled holes. Don't know if yours is the same. Check it out.

Cheers

Don