Well I realize it doesn't have much to do with the engine besides the fact of location.. really just bolts and corrosion control.
Anyway, I had recently had my top end all apart, and I had the head cleaned up nice in the parts cleaner. Up to that point, I had personally not cleaned anything, and the studs were fine. I am wondering if maybe there was just a thin film of protective residue on them? I had to install 3 new studs (thanks to dennys auto machine where they were broken while milling) and the new studs are all pretty still.
Not that I really really care.. but when studs really corrode they become a real pain in the ass. Also I'm just curious why it would happen now, and it hadn't the past 3 years that I rode the bike, or the 20 before that for that matter!
