Motorcycle Fastener Guides & Technical Information
Welcome to the Biker Bling motorcycle fastener guides and technical information library.
This hub brings together our guides covering motorcycle bolts, thread sizes, materials, strength grades, fitting, torque, stainless steel care, fairing hardware, washers, specialist fixings and model-specific bolt kits.
For example, whether you are trying to identify an unknown bolt, measure a replacement, understand thread pitch, fit stainless steel fasteners correctly or find out why an original motorcycle fixing uses a shoulder, collar or special washer, you can start here.
These guides provide general technical information for motorcycle owners and home mechanics.
However, where the motorcycle manufacturer specifies a particular fastener, material, strength grade, torque, thread treatment or fitting procedure, the manufacturer’s workshop information should always take priority.
Motorcycle Fastener Guides for Choosing & Identifying Bolts
If you are trying to identify an existing fastener or find a suitable replacement, start with these motorcycle fastener guides.
How to Measure Motorcycle Bolts
First, learn how to check bolt diameter, length, thread pitch, head dimensions and shoulders before ordering a replacement.
Read How to Measure Motorcycle Bolts →
How to Choose the Correct Replacement Motorcycle Bolt
Next, learn what to check before replacing a motorcycle bolt, including thread, length, head type, shoulder dimensions, material and application.
Read How to Choose the Correct Replacement Motorcycle Bolt →
Motorcycle Metric Thread Pitch Reference Chart
Two bolts can have the same diameter but different thread pitches. Therefore, identifying the pitch can be just as important as measuring the diameter.
View the Motorcycle Metric Thread Pitch Reference Chart →
Motorcycle Bolt Head Types
Motorcycle fasteners also use different head and drive designs. This guide explains button, socket-cap, hex, flange, pan and countersunk heads, together with common Allen and Torx drive types.
Read the Motorcycle Bolt Head Types Guide →
Motorcycle Shoulder Bolts Explained
Some motorcycle bolts have an unthreaded shoulder. As a result, replacing them with ordinary fully threaded bolts can change how the assembly works.
Read Motorcycle Shoulder Bolts Explained →
Motorcycle Fastener Glossary
Not sure what a fastener term means?
Our A–Z glossary explains common motorcycle bolt, thread, washer, material and fixing terminology.
View the Motorcycle Fastener Glossary →
Motorcycle Fastener Guides: Materials, Strength & Stainless Steel
The material a fastener is made from and its mechanical strength are separate considerations.
Therefore, material alone should not be used to decide whether a replacement fastener is suitable for a particular application.
These motorcycle fastener guides explain some of the important differences.
Motorcycle Bolt Materials Explained
Compare 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel, titanium and high-tensile steel. In addition, learn why no single material is automatically suitable for every motorcycle application.
Read Motorcycle Bolt Materials Explained →
Motorcycle Bolt Strength Grades Explained
Understand common metric steel property classes such as 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9, together with stainless fastener markings such as A2-70 and A4-70.
Read Motorcycle Bolt Strength Grades Explained →
304 Stainless Steel Motorcycle Bolts: Corrosion, Cleaning & Care
304 stainless steel offers useful corrosion resistance for many applications. However, stainless steel does not mean completely corrosion-proof.
Learn about cleaning, road salt, contamination and other factors that can affect its appearance and condition.
Read the 304 Stainless Steel Motorcycle Bolts Guide →
Motorcycle Fastener Guides for Fitting Bolts Correctly
Correct fastener dimensions are only part of the job.
In addition, thread condition, tightening method, lubrication, torque and the surrounding components can all affect a threaded joint.
How to Fit Stainless Steel Motorcycle Bolts
This practical general guide covers replacement-fastener checks, thread preparation, starting bolts correctly and sensible final checks.
Read How to Fit Stainless Steel Motorcycle Bolts →
Stainless Steel Motorcycle Bolt Torque, Anti-Seize & Galling
Tightening torque is affected by friction. Therefore, thread treatments can alter the relationship between applied torque and resulting clamp load.
This guide also explains why stainless threads can be susceptible to galling.
Read the Torque, Anti-Seize & Galling Guide →
Threadlocker vs Anti-Seize on Motorcycle Bolts
Threadlocker and anti-seize perform different jobs.
Consequently, neither should automatically be applied to every motorcycle fastener.
Read Threadlocker vs Anti-Seize →
Motorcycle Bolts Into Aluminium
Aluminium threads can be damaged by incorrect starting, unsuitable bolt length or excessive tightening.
For this reason, this guide covers thread alignment, blind holes, cross-threading and other considerations when fitting motorcycle bolts into aluminium components.
Read Motorcycle Bolts Into Aluminium →
Motorcycle Bolt Guides for Removing, Inspecting & Replacing Fasteners
However, damaged or seized fasteners can quickly turn a straightforward maintenance job into a more difficult repair.
These motorcycle bolt guides cover removal and the signs that may indicate a fastener should be replaced.
How to Remove Seized, Stuck & Rounded Motorcycle Bolts
This guide provides a cautious general approach to removing corroded, seized, stuck or damaged motorcycle bolts while reducing the risk of further damage.
Read How to Remove Seized, Stuck & Rounded Motorcycle Bolts →
When Should Motorcycle Bolts Be Replaced?
For example, damaged threads, rounded heads, corrosion, stretching and manufacturer-specified single-use fasteners can all be reasons for replacement.
Read When Motorcycle Bolts Should Be Replaced →
Motorcycle Fastener Guides: Washers, Spacers, Collars & Specialist Fasteners
In many cases, a motorcycle fixing consists of more than the bolt itself.
Therefore, washers, spacers, collars and other components should not automatically be treated as unimportant extras.
Motorcycle Washers, Spacers & Collars Explained
Understand the different jobs performed by washers, spacers and collars and why their dimensions and original position can matter.
Read Motorcycle Washers, Spacers & Collars Explained →
Motorcycle Banjo Bolts & Copper Washers Explained
Banjo bolts form part of hydraulic connections. Consequently, the correct thread, sealing arrangement and manufacturer instructions are particularly important.
Read Motorcycle Banjo Bolts & Copper Washers Explained →
Motorcycle Fastener Guides for Fairings & Bodywork
Motorcycle bodywork can use bolts, shoulder bolts, well nuts, clips, washers, collars, rubber components and plastic rivets.
As a result, replacing fairing hardware can involve more than simply matching the visible bolt.
These motorcycle fastener guides focus specifically on motorcycle fairings, screens and plastic panels.
Motorcycle Fairing Fasteners Explained
Start with an introduction to motorcycle fairing bolts and the other types of fixing commonly used around bodywork.
Read Motorcycle Fairing Fasteners Explained →
Motorcycle Fairing Well Nuts, Clips & Washers Explained
Next, learn how well nuts, clip nuts, washers and other motorcycle bodywork fixings work and what to look for when they become worn or damaged.
Read Motorcycle Fairing Well Nuts, Clips & Washers Explained →
How to Fit Motorcycle Fairing Bolts Without Damaging Plastic Panels
Finally, learn how to align bodywork, start fasteners correctly and reduce unnecessary stress on motorcycle plastic panels while fitting fairing hardware.
Read How to Fit Motorcycle Fairing Bolts →
Motorcycle Bolt Guides: Choosing the Right Kit
Different approaches can be used when replacing groups of motorcycle fasteners.
For this reason, it is useful to understand the difference between a general assortment of bolts and a kit developed around a particular motorcycle.
Generic Motorcycle Bolt Kits vs Model-Specific Kits
Learn about the differences between general-purpose fastener assortments and kits developed around a particular motorcycle model and application.
Read Generic Motorcycle Bolt Kits vs Model-Specific Kits →
Inside Biker Bling
Want to know more about what happens behind the products?
Our Inside Biker Bling page explains how we research motorcycle fasteners, use OEM parts information, purchase and measure original components where required, maintain internal fastener reference data and carry out real-world fitting checks on selected products.
In addition, it explains how our kits are separated into labelled bags according to fitting location and gives more information about Biker Bling’s sourcing, quality checks and motorcycle experience.
Which Motorcycle Fastener Guide Do I Need?
I have an unknown motorcycle bolt
First, use How to Measure Motorcycle Bolts. Then use How to Choose the Correct Replacement Motorcycle Bolt to compare the important details.
I know the bolt diameter but not the thread pitch
In this case, use the Motorcycle Metric Thread Pitch Reference Chart.
My original bolt has a smooth unthreaded section
If so, read Motorcycle Shoulder Bolts Explained.
I want to understand bolt strength
Start with Motorcycle Bolt Strength Grades Explained.
I am comparing stainless steel with another fastener material
Instead, if material choice is your main question, start with Motorcycle Bolt Materials Explained.
I am fitting stainless steel motorcycle bolts
First, use How to Fit Stainless Steel Motorcycle Bolts. In addition, read the Torque, Anti-Seize & Galling Guide.
I do not know whether to use threadlocker or anti-seize
For guidance, read Threadlocker vs Anti-Seize on Motorcycle Bolts.
The bolt screws into aluminium
In this situation, read Motorcycle Bolts Into Aluminium.
The original bolt is seized or rounded
If removal is the problem, read How to Remove Seized, Stuck & Rounded Motorcycle Bolts.
I am working on motorcycle fairings or bodywork
First, read Motorcycle Fairing Fasteners Explained. Then continue with our guide to Motorcycle Fairing Well Nuts, Clips & Washers and How to Fit Motorcycle Fairing Bolts Without Damaging Plastic Panels.
I do not recognise a fastener term
Finally, use the Motorcycle Fastener Glossary for an A–Z reference.
Important Motorcycle Fastener Safety Information
The Biker Bling motorcycle fastener guides provide general technical information.
However, motorcycle fasteners can vary considerably between manufacturers, models, years and applications.
Always follow the motorcycle manufacturer’s workshop manual and component-specific instructions where they specify:
- Fastener type.
- Dimensions.
- Material.
- Mechanical strength.
- Tightening torque.
- Tightening sequence.
- Thread treatment.
- Locking method.
- Replacement requirements.
In particular, extra care is required around brakes, wheels, steering, suspension, structural components, engine internals and other safety-critical assemblies.
Therefore, a replacement fastener should not be considered suitable simply because its thread fits.
If the required specification cannot be established or you are uncertain about a safety-critical fastener, use the manufacturer-specified component or seek assistance from a suitably qualified motorcycle technician.
About the Biker Bling Motorcycle Fastener Guides
The Biker Bling motorcycle fastener guides have been created to make fastener information easier for motorcycle owners to understand.
The technical library covers subjects including:
- Motorcycle bolt identification.
- Bolt measurement.
- Thread pitch.
- Fastener materials.
- Strength grades.
- Stainless steel care.
- Bolt fitting and removal.
- Torque and thread treatments.
- Specialist motorcycle fasteners.
- Fairing and bodywork hardware.
- Model-specific bolt kits.
As a result, riders can move from identifying a fastener through to choosing, fitting and maintaining the correct replacement while using related technical information along the way.
For an A–Z explanation of common terminology, visit the Motorcycle Fastener Glossary.
In addition, to see more about the research, physical measurements, testing and kit preparation behind our products, visit Inside Biker Bling.
Shop Motorcycle Fasteners
Looking for stainless steel motorcycle fasteners or model-specific bolt kits?
Biker Bling supplies motorcycle fasteners and bolt kits for a wide range of motorcycle makes, models and applications.
Shop Motorcycle Fasteners at Biker Bling →
Finally, always check the individual product description, intended fitment and components supplied before ordering.