Problem with Aircraft Spruce is the lack of variety. I've been using Tacoma Screw (so no Home Depot) and have been happy with their hardware.

Is it true that Kenny Dreer sleeved trans bosses to get a slip fit?

Don't know about Dreer, but it's a common race (and street) mod to bore and sleeve engine and trans mount bolt holes to get a good fit. A slightly loose engine mount bolt will oval or break out an engine mounting hole. Keep 'em tight and check often.

I'm a stainless steel-a-holic, I have been for several years and I don't see any relief in the near or distant future... I started in the usual way with just a couple, they looked so good and, and I had to "do" a few more, before I knew it, they were everwhere on my Norton, then it got real serious, I started thinking about building another Norton, and, I'm ashamed, I started buying MORE stainless in anticipation...

I have read most of the technical articles, a good portion from ARP, some from the SAE, and I agree that the vast majority of stainless fasteners available to the general public would be better classified as butter bolts.

Take a look at the offerings from:

http://www.rockypointcycle.com

304 and 316 stainless, fasteners used, exclusively, on every CNW project. After reading about stainless fasteners I called Stan Smith and told him that I was very concerned about my safety, due to the fact that, with 6 exceptions, my MkIII is exclusively fastened with his hardware. He pointed out that he has been selling stainless fasteners for 27 years and has had no failures, he will admit to having a stray issue with threads, on certain fasteners, that wern't cut deep enough, which he replaces (postage included) without question. Stan has way too much to lose by selling substandard fasteners.

I won't argue with anyone that feels better using OE fasteners, although I was pretty pissed with Andover Norton for selling me 3/8" (.375) crankshaft studs that measured .370/.372, (loose in the bore to boot!!!) crap I call that; made me wonder where else Andover Norton is saving money on their line of fasteners or if their inventory is subject to the vermissitudes of the chronosynclasticinfandibula?

My name is Bob and I'm a stainless-aholic too. I've saved all the original fasteners on my bike in case the Smithsonian calls and wants my bike; but where I live on the Northern California coast, everything rusts that can rust. People have algae growing on the shady side of their houses, cars too, if they don't get out much. There's some bling involved too.

Quote Roadscholar
I won't argue with anyone that feels better using OE fasteners, although I was pretty pissed with Andover Norton for selling me 3/8" (.375) crankshaft studs that measured .370/.372, (loose in the bore to boot!!!) crap I call that; made me wonder where else Andover Norton is saving money on their line of fasteners or if their inventory is subject to the vermissitudes of the chronosynclasticinfandibula

The problem with crankshaft studs is that they are being used to index the cheeks to the flywheel along with the dowel, so the normal practice of undersizing the shank on a bolt is counter productive. A long time ago I had a Commando crank lightened and bored out for 3/8" bolts that were a slip fit. They're really strong NAS 1306's but the purpose was to get a positive index with the correct grip length. I can't say if anything ever shifted before or after the modification. Never had crankshaft explode one way or the other. Sometimes you just do things for the sheer hell of it.

RoadScholar wrote:I'm a stainless steel-a-holic, I have been for several years and I don't see any relief in the near or distant future... I started in the usual way with just a couple, they looked so good and, and I had to "do" a few more, before I knew it, they were everwhere on my Norton, then it got real serious, I started thinking about building another Norton, and, I'm ashamed, I started buying MORE stainless in anticipation...

I have read most of the technical articles, a good portion from ARP, some from the SAE, and I agree that the vast majority of stainless fasteners available to the general public would be better classified as butter bolts.

Take a look at the offerings from:

http://www.rockypointcycle.com

304 and 316 stainless, fasteners used, exclusively, on every CNW project. After reading about stainless fasteners I called Stan Smith and told him that I was very concerned about my safety, due to the fact that, with 6 exceptions, my MkIII is exclusively fastened with his hardware.

Stan is a hell of a guy. I just wish he'd do as much stainless for Triumphs as he did for the Commando. I'd love to find a ready to go engine kit for my '73 T140 motor. I really don't want to order from the UK as the conversion sucks hard for Canadians.

bpatton wrote:Quote Roadscholar
I won't argue with anyone that feels better using OE fasteners, although I was pretty pissed with Andover Norton for selling me 3/8" (.375) crankshaft studs that measured .370/.372, (loose in the bore to boot!!!) crap I call that; made me wonder where else Andover Norton is saving money on their line of fasteners or if their inventory is subject to the vermissitudes of the chronosynclasticinfandibula

Er...quite!

Totally in sympathy! Begs the question of what does OE mean these days - seems that some very grown-up people in the UK spend a lot of time and effort arguing about how they're THE Norton OE supplier, and the stuff seems no better than the worn-out stuff being replaced

I've just seen a very good reason not to strip my crank to clean it!

I've bought lots of stainless from Both Andy Molnar (who I 'sort of' know), and Dave Middleton, and I've never had any concern over the material properties of the stainless they use.
I'll continue to buy from both of them with confidence. And Yes, I'm a self-confessed Bling Tart

B+Bogus wrote:

bpatton wrote:Quote Roadscholar
I won't argue with anyone that feels better using OE fasteners, although I was pretty pissed with Andover Norton for selling me 3/8" (.375) crankshaft studs that measured .370/.372, (loose in the bore to boot!!!) crap I call that; made me wonder where else Andover Norton is saving money on their line of fasteners or if their inventory is subject to the vermissitudes of the chronosynclasticinfandibula

Er...quite!

Totally in sympathy! Begs the question of what does OE mean these days - seems that some very grown-up people in the UK spend a lot of time and effort arguing about how they're THE Norton OE supplier, and the stuff seems no better than the worn-out stuff being replaced

I've just seen a very good reason not to strip my crank to clean it!

I've bought lots of stainless from Both Andy Molnar (who I 'sort of' know), and Dave Middleton, and I've never had any concern over the material properties of the stainless they use.
I'll continue to buy from both of them with confidence. And Yes, I'm a self-confessed Bling Tart

It seems to me that if you've been using oil with a detergent and a filter there's no reason to take a crank apart to clean it.
If you like the idea of stainless for convenience and you have suppliers you trust, you can always tape off the bolts and hit the heads with a beadblaster. It looks just like cadmium but lasts forever. For understated Bling when it's required.
BTW, Roadscholar, I Googled chronosynclasticinfandibula. I'll be chasing down Sirens Of Titan. Funny where spinoffs will take one.

By all means clean the sludge trap while you have the crank out. You will be amazed at the amount of aluminum paste. Find the right bolts elsewhere if Andover Norton's are too skinny.