Head Nuts

[uclabiker06]

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  

[oldndumb]

Bellisimoto is now carrying an extensive TI fastener line.

[uclabiker06]

Bellisimoto is now carrying an extensive TI fastener line.

That didn't help much; guess its not that extensive.

[brad black]

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.

[uclabiker06]

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.

[brad black]

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. 

[uclabiker06]

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!

[brad black]

no, "it" refers to the general concept you proposed.

[suzyj]

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.

[uclabiker06]

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.

[Dirty Duc]

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.

[uclabiker06]

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.

[Dirty Duc]

They keep the oil in... the passages they encircle...

[brad black]

the ds style motors have head gaskets.

[uclabiker06]

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.