Hitchcocks Forum

Hi Folks

I am about to replace the head steady on my sixty-5 with the stainless version. I was going to try to undo the 'made of cheese' original bolts, without removing the oil feeds, but cannot seem to get a 13mm spanner to slot into the gap. Anyone here had luck taking this bolt off without undoing the oil feed. I will be ordering the stainless nut and bolts before I take a spanner to them, as I have a feeling they may fail and leave me without a head steady... and in this lovely weather.. the bike just needs to be ridden !!

It's really no problem taking the oil feed off if you can't get a spanner in. While you're ordering parts you can upgrade the oil feed washers to Dowty bonded seals. (accessories/gaskets and seals/general)

Thanks for the swift reply... I will get to it straight away (after placing the order)!!

BTW How do I gauge the tension when tightening the Head Steady when its in place ??

My sugestion here would be to leave well enough alone if it ain't broke don't fix it

It's a steady so there shouldn't be any tension. I agree with Norm though, if it,ain't bust don't fix it.

Why fix something that is not broken and likely never will be

Another thing with this is I haven't found too many bits on these bikes to be "made of cheese" , maybe pistons, big ends and main bearings, but the bolts and ally threads I find to be of reasonable quality, what seems to be the big problem is heavy fisted people who overtighten things and then blame the quality. Threads into ally are always a problem but with care you should rarely strip a thread

What's this? Norm defends the quality of RE's? However just to be contrary - what about the numerous threads on the dangers (and likelihood) of stripping drain plugs? Or the handlebar brackets? And as for not fixing things that aren't broke - I thought that was the main pastime of most RE enthusiasts?