Hello to all. Now that I have a bunch of chrome bolts and cleaned up a lot of wires my rusty head nuts are starting to really stand out. I want to replace them with titanium. Probably wont be doing it anytime soon but I can dream can't I? Plan on torching the nuts myself (aiming for purple/blue finish).
Some concerns I have:
I don't want to buy the special tool & I don't have welding torch/skills so I need to get them removed by someone else probably.
Rod getting bent during removal of original nuts
A good source for the ti nuts which are M10X1.5
I found these but any other source recommendations or any other advice would be welcome:
http://www.probolt-usa.com/titanium-sprocket-nut-m10-x-1-50mm-pack-x-5.html#.UbOzRs3N7QE (http://www.probolt-usa.com/titanium-sprocket-nut-m10-x-1-50mm-pack-x-5.html#.UbOzRs3N7QE)
Bellisimoto is now carrying an extensive TI fastener line.
QuoteBellisimoto is now carrying an extensive TI fastener line.
That didn't help much; guess its not that extensive.
not sure on your particular model, but sometimes you can't get the nuts off with out lifting the head a touch. which is a real pita. just a thought.
Well yeah I think i know what you are saying..plan on doing one nut at a time in order to avoid that. Hm, maybe I'll just leave it alone for now, thanks Bradblack.
don't let me put you off trying, but maybe you might need to pull the cam end plate. perhaps that'll let it work.
Just want to be sure I don't rruin any gasket seals. Last thing I want to do is remove the heads just because I wanted to swich the nuts...thats why I don't like the idea of "lifting the head"...I think I see what your getting at though. By "it" you are referring to some sort of special tool, right? Thats good to know.
I don't know where I would be without ca-cycleworks.com... I'm waaaaay overdue for a visit Bradblack!
no, "it" refers to the general concept you proposed.
I needed to lift the heads a bit on my 695 to get the nuts out over the top of the studs. It doesn't break gaskets though, as (at least on my 695) there are no head gaskets.
Got it. I just assumed there was some sort of gasket to prevent oil leakage where the head connects to the rest of the engine. Thanks to all.
Quote from: uclabiker06 on June 09, 2013, 11:08:18 AM
Got it. I just assumed there was some sort of gasket to prevent oil leakage where the head connects to the rest of the engine. Thanks to all.
O-rings.
I just looked at the manual & I don't understand how those little rings keep oil out. Makes more sense if there was one big o ring or something but hey it must work.
They keep the oil in... the passages they encircle...
the ds style motors have head gaskets.
Interesting, might just do my best to hand sand & then coat with hi temp paint (black) w/ out removing them. Probably will take less elbow grease than actually removing them but will definitely cost less. Just want to get rid of that darned rust once & for all.
Ducati Tool Rental out of LA
I just (3 weeks ago) had a exhaust bolt snap off inside the head. I had to pull the head to have the bolt machined out.
I rented the extension tool from them for 10 bucks including both delivery and return shipping to Northern California. If you're in LA I wouldn't be surprised if you couldnt just drive over and pick it up
Like everyone said, o-rings are needed if you want to play it safe. Here's some more info
1) Once you uncompress them you will need to replace. When I took the top part of the head off, the supply o-ring was thoroughly destroyed.
2) You'll need to take the timing belts off to replace the o rings
3) Make sure the piston is bottomed out. When you remove each head. That way taking off the top head to replace the o rings is easier. Also this will keep the gasket at the bottom of the head secure. Because of this you will need to do each head independantly and you'll have to rotate the piston when you go from one head to another.
4) Torque specs are in 3 phases. I think its 15-25-40. Torque all 4 at 15, then at 25, etc etc.
Personal Opinion:
You really want to do all this work from some pointless bling? Think real hard. I like your idea of just painting them better.
Eel, overall I am in agreement with your personal opinion. Will try to update this post w/ pics when/if I finish. Just wondering but was your bike leaking oil? Is that why you took the head off? How many miles you have on your bike? You ride it hard? You think thats why your ring was "destroyed"?
My bike bike wasn't leaking oil. It was leaking exhaust. I had an exhaust bolt shear off completely so my horizontal cylinder exhaust was only being held by one bolt. My only guess is I hit a rock at high speed and it kicked up and hit directly on the exhaust bolt.
I had to pull the top part of the head off to take it to a machine shop for removal of the stud remnant.
Those O-rings I was talking about are between the top and bottom head pieces. The minute you unload those o rings you should replace them. Otherwise there is a good change you will have a leak on your hands.
And to answer your question, I do ride my bike hard. One thing I've noticed is that Duc's really shine when they're ridden like they're stolen. Not so much if you putt around on them. I'm at 41k on the S2R800 right now.
Wow, interesting
mc master carr has stainless nuts. Black ones too..