Titanium bolts

[Tippie]

"What would be the shear strength issues if any of drilled M12 engine bolts on say an SF? I certainly wouldn't try it, but just interested"
Been done and proven that they break, not by me, I was warned. Almost every other bolt on the bike though, axles, bolts for calipers, mudguards, shocks etc etc and nary a one has broken.

 

[Basketcase]

Years back a bloke approached me at Mallory park, asked if I was (still am) Phil Todd and gave me a bag of titanium aircraft sort of rivet/bolts with nuts and some lengths of titanium bar.  He said he worked for a helicopter company - strangely co-incidental, but shortly afterwards 2 helicopters had major accidents in the UK  :-X - Regards - Phil

Old aircraft stock is where I get hold of cadmium plated nuts & bolts. Never corrode.

Problems I found with titanium bolts/axles is they are a bit abrasive against steel and cause fretting.

I guess that is why titanium conrods tend to have silver plating in the side rubbing faces.