SS V-Strom: Project Stainless Steel
Lately, I have been pulling bolts off my V-Strom and sizing them up for stainless replacements. After five years of Pennsylvania weather, the fasteners on the 1000 have begun to fail.
The exhaust bolts, part numbers 09103-08392 (diagram), are the worst so far. One of my muffler clamp bolts has only the three threads required to secure itself in place. It is the first rusted monstrosity in this photo:
The second bolt has only rusted on the surface of the bolt’s head, but it happens to be the same size and very visible. It is one of the two rear rack bolts, part number 09103-08341.
I have located replacements, as you can see. I plan on using a bit of anti-seize on the threads to counter-act any reaction that may occur between the types of metals. There are lots of stainless steel naysayers that recommend using only OEM materials. I prefer seized bolts over thread-less and rusted bolts, but that’s just me.
I have already installed one half of my stainless engine cover bolt kit, and throughout this winter I will be swapping out other deteriorating bolts that are not bearing a significant load on my V-Strom.
Posted on October 19th, 2009 in V-Strom Parts | 5 Comments »
December 28th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Where did you find the stainless hardware? Do you know the size of the exhaust bolt threads?
Thanks,
Brandon
January 25th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I sourced stainless hardware locally from a few places. I just found a new supplier for bulk bolts, and I am willing to ship bolts to anyone who can’t find their own supplier. Send me an email, my address is at the bottom of every page.
February 27th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I agree that stainless steel fasteners are a good choice. Just wanted to inform you about the anti-seize because I think your reasoning is mistaken. Anti-seize is actual conductive so it will facilitate a galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals, however, it is always necessary to use with stainless fasteners because SS is softer than other metals. The friction generated without anti-seize will cause this soft metal to gall and seize. So keep using stainless, and keep using anti-seize!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:47 pm
That’s great info, Graham.
January 19th, 2011 at 1:18 am
I an unable to find those stainless steel bolts. I tried it in the nearby locality but failed. Can you provide me some help?