Front Caliper Bolts

Thinking it's about time to replace my front caliper bolts as they've been removed about 4 times now, and the mechanic at my local Honda dealer said they generally replace them about that often (I think the Service Manual is a tad over-zealous suggesting they be replaced every time). Wheels will be coming off for new tyres shortly so wanna have a new set on hand for that.

So my question is, is it worth replacing them with Titanium bolts to avoid having to replace them again in future?

I've read a couple of horror stories about Titanium bolts fusing themselves to the Aluminium in the fork legs, some say a good coat of copper grease can sort this and also not to use threadlock (which I always do). So really not sure if it's worth the hassle.

Titanium bolts come in at about £75 a set too, not sure what the cost of the OEM ones is but guessing it'll be fairly dear, being Honda parts...

 

Ask our MrB on here mate. He always gives a good price on OEM.

 

I have had mine out a few times already and they have just gone back in again .I can't understand why Honda would use such a bolt if it needed changing every time you changed the pads ? Which for track men could be every week.

 

I just replaced them with a dab of locktight, I survived also dealer said they do the same as there is no reason to change them other than Hondas say so in the book !

 

Never replaced them on my rr6 and she had some tyre changes track day euro trips etc my 12 has had wheels off probably 5 or 6 times the bolts will be staying

 

I got a set of stainless, and use a bit of copper grease on the threads.

 

Are stainless any improvement over OEM? From what's been said above, I may just end up sticking with the ones I've got - has anybody ever heard of these shearing or any other horror stories about retaining the OEM ones for an extended period?

 

Honda say they are pinch bolts so stretch when first torqued up so supposedly do not tighten as tight next time and the time after that etc etc... I think the only people that would replace them after each time the wheel comes out would be people with more money than they know what to do with...

How often do you ask for a tyre price and they say x mount plus x for the bolts? If its a worry I'd go stainless if not carry on using the stock ones mate

 

titanium would be a big no from me, i use Ti at work on alot of my fixtures and i very often wreck nuts and bold more so when connecting to a dissimilar metal.

if we could use other metals we would however standards say ti only.

 

I can't understand why they should be replaced - they are not exactly stressed like a conrod bolt or similar. Another Mr Honda way off getting some money out of you. Clean up the threads with a wire brush and use some thread seal.

 

I replaced mine with SS ones.

 

Me too, i replaced them at the first service.
The dealer stated they are stretch (pinch) bolts on the later models and her stated that they should be replaced as they get longer?!

if thats the case they should call them penis bolts! but I replaced them for stainless versions to be safe.

What ever next? tyres that wear out!!

 

Replaced with ones from pro bolt by any chance ? i was gonna order me up so titanium ones but if SS is ok i think ill go with that

 

When I upgraded my disc's up to 06-07 on my RR5 i got the longer SS off ProBolt.

 

Cheers I was gonna go all titanium but £130 quid for caliper pinch and slide pins or £60 for SS . Bit now might just go for the brembo M4 calipers lol

 

I used coloured titanium ones on all my bikes.
Never had a bolt fuse to alloy or one break on me.
Oh and like alloy you get different grades of
Titanium so you get what you pay for.we held two ton
Fixtures in place with six m12 titanium bolts with no
Problem's ( fixtures spun upside down during pallet changes)

 

Thanks for all the responses guys, think I'll go for Stainless in the near future then!!

 

Yes, probolt.

 

Stainless steel one's here for £12.99 inc p&p HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE STAINLESS STEEL RADIAL FRONT CALIPER BOLTS | eBay

 

my front wheels have beem off more times than i care remember (i'd say at least 20 times) and haven't had any issues.

now maybe i'm missing something,but if they do "stretch" and get longer,why is it i never have a problem torque'ing them up?

also whats different about every other bike with radial calipers i'm not aware of them stating that you change bols everytime(maybe they do but never heard it),or is it just honda bolts,like gearbox's are made of cheese?