Con rod bolts

Any views on the widely different cost of con rod bolts.

Only buy the genuine article, in sealed packages, from reputable dealers.
Dereck

You could read all about the pirate ones somewhere as well if you are not convinced. One of my bosses told me if you don't believe anything you hear, and only 1/2 of what you see, you shouldn't make a mistake. Bit OOT but point made. If you cant see evidence that it is the genuine article, you are best to presume it isn't. A con rod through a crank case costs a lot more than a cheap big end bolt. Don't be miserable.

One risks an expensive repair to save a few dollars on such a critical part.

Slick

I agree with all the other comments. From memory the conrod bolts were the most highly specified parts on a Commando, very high grade material, ground threads. ground much pretty all over, VERY close tolerances. That's for a reason, they are very highly stressed. Ultimately it's the rebuilders call, but of all the places where it could be possible to save money, conrod bolts and nuts isn't one of them. Personally I would rather have proper conrod nuts and bolts and a rattle can paint finish rather than cheap nuts and bolts and a super deluxe multi coat paint finish.
Best of luck!!
cheers
wakeup

Looking at the question in another way re any views on the different costs...

They are 'only' bolts aren't they?! So a less than scrupulous trader could easily approach one of thousands of suppliers, probably in low cost countries, probably who have no knowledge at all about Norton's or old motorbikes with their needs and foibles. They'll give the supplier an approximate spec that will 'probably be OK for most users most of the time' and get a huge batch made for peanuts. Its then SO EASY these days to flood the market via autojumbles, on line auction sites, and less reputable dealers.

IF these sub optimal parts lead to engine failures... they are simply creating a demand for yet more pattern parts... therefore fuelling the cycle... and creating good future business...!!

Alternatively, a genuinely scrupulous trader would want to specify the correct steel, the correct manufacturing processes, the correct specifications and tolerances and finally the necessary quality assurance measures. They would then have automatically narrowed down the potential suppliers to a few, specialist outfits. This takes a lot more time, effort and money. And will lead to lower sales as a result of being 'expensive'. Often the only 'thanks' they get for this approach is to be labelled 'rip off merchants' !!

Clearly, the difference in cost price between the above scenarios is beyond compare. But only one of them ensures the correct quality!

The real issue, IMHO, is the willingness of the masses to buy such important components from unknown, faceless vendors on ebay / from autojumbles, etc. Basic, core, critical mechanical components should ALWAYS be bought from reputable sources. Anything else is simply Russian roulette !!

That's why I only by from a few vendors, repeatedly. I want parts that will fit and function as intended, with minimal fuss and failure.

All only IMHO of course.

Interesting

I seem to remember this subject arose some time back check out www.totalbikebits.com new products test certificate

So called pattern bolts are actually BETTER than OEM this test was performed independently to dismiss the Andover myth that quality costs more RGM / Norvil and most traders use this quality bolt

the vastly different cost simple economics larger production volumes and the unit price comes down

Frankie17 said:

Interesting

I seem to remember this subject arose some time back check out http://www.totalbikebits.com new products test certificate

So called pattern bolts are actually BETTER than OEM this test was performed independently to dismiss the Andover myth that quality costs more RGM / Norvil and most traders use this quality bolt

the vastly different cost simple economics larger production volumes and the unit price comes down

Click to expand...

Good article, which I now recall I have read on here before!

Norvil / Wassel big end bolts definitely do not qualify as cheap parts sold by unscrupulous traders then!

In general though, I still think my overall point stands re cheap parts, mass distribution, etc. Not that ALL parts on ebay etc are bad, just that's its safer to stick to demonstrated trustworthy retailers. I see it as putting the odds in your favour, just for a few quid.

I bought a new set of bolts from Mick Hemmings along with a lot of other bits, and he sent me the polished versions of the standard bolts. He thought it a worthwhile investment,and I would be inclined to agree. This was before I found out that my rods had been marked by centerpunching.

Hmm, I wonder if a DPO had to use Braile to distinguish between the rods?

Ever wondered why they have not disclosed the client, and where is the proof that the AN bolts actually come from AN - who sourced them and gave them to the test house? What is supplied and what gets tested are two different things, can't believe Wassel have fallen for this and piggy backed someone else's test result, if there was a legal case they would look stupid if they were to rely on the test result borrowed from a third party. The test house only tested what was given to them so had to take it at face value.

I haven't read the manual about fitting conrod bolts. However is it common practice to tension them and measure the amount they have stretched ? What would be an acceptable amount of stretch in a normal commando conrod bolt when it has been tensioned to the recommended ?

Hello,

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated . I also read the wassel test results page a few years ago when the Andover con rod bolts were a couple of quid cheaper than they are now , I bought the Andover bolts from Phil.
My reasoning for this was , any product becomes cheaper with economies of scale , the Chinese have certainly taught us that but for that reason alone quality suffers. Years ago when I did a fair bit of .22 rim fire shooting there were 3 grades of Eley ammunition all made in the same way the only difference was in the testing and quality control and there was a huge difference in price from the cheapest ,to the most expensive and most accurate.

So for my new engine made out of used parts I will use , and use again Andover con rod bolts from a sealed packet. Nuff said and happy reving the tits off your commando no matter which bolts you buy.

Jg

I will ask about that Alan and post any further information .

I don't usually talk about my professional career. However have you tried Mulwex gun propellant from Mulwala Explosives Factory in New South Wales ( now Thales) ? The work that goes into it is immense and is not justified by the profits. In Australia we used to make many defence items to British and American specifications and our product usually conformed to the spec. Almost invariably when we have tested the equivalent British or American manufactured items, they have not met their own specification.