Stainless steel, A2 or A4, or just zinc plated?

[loply]

Hi folks,

Im just about to order a new bolt for my sidestand (which is a non-standard thread), so I figured I would order a load of other bolts as well to replace rusty ones on my bike.

Ive made a list of 50-odd bolts and allen bolts, all available at Namrick, but what id like to know is:

1) Whats the difference between A2 and A4 stainless steel?

2) Is Zinc-Plated just as good or better than stainless steel?

Thanks,
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[Motkram]

1) The A number is a quality rating, The higher number the better (and price) ie A2 will rust faster than A4 (and stainless steel WILL rust in poor conditions)

2) Zinc plated are good but won't last as long as a stainless A4 or higher.

Make sure you get the correct tensile strength, it will be on the head of the bolt (8.8 is standard) A sidestand bolt may have a 10 or 12 rating
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Part-time GSXR1000 pilot>Micron Serpert system+K&N, PC111, Sigma slipper clutch, Brembo m/c+Galfer discs, Gilles rearsets, Translogic Quickshifter.

GP125>GSF400>VFR400NC30>YZF600R>YZFR1(1998)+KLR250>YZFR1(2003)>CBR900RRY>YZFR1(2002)>GSXR1000K1+RGV250

[loply]

They only seem to sell HT 8.8 bolts... Will this be fine or is a stronger bolt absolutely neccessary?

I can get bolts in Grade A2 18/8 if that is any stronger?
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[Kickstart]

Hi

Considering that if that bolt snaps your bike will land in a heap I would be tempted to use the strongest bolts you can get .

For safety critical items I tend to try and stick with the standard items.

By the way, MarkR1, any ideas of a good site listing the shear strength, tensile strength, etc of the various grades of steel?

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[mchaggis]

https://www.matweb.com/search/SearchSubcat.asp is worth a look, though it's really really in depth and seems to have every trade name and alloy that exists.

It can be a bit tricky trying to find standard simple material descriptions, so might not be exactly what you're after.
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Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Odie]

A2 stainless steel is the standard stainless and can be cut with a hack-saw, A4 is marine grade stainless ( might be a good idea given the recent weather conditions) and is slightly harder.
All your standard bolts fitted to the bike will be zinc plated, when bolts are zinc plated it case hardens them.
Dont go with self-colour as they will rust before your eyes,
I would go with high tensile and get them zinc plated.
hope this helps
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