TOPIC:

I stripped one of the screws on my engine pulley cover and figured I'd replace all four since I'm at it: three 6x50 pan head screws and one 6x40 pan head screw (Item # 220B0640 & 220B0650). Does anyone know if I can use M6-1.0 x 50 mm Phillips Pan Head Stainless Steel Machine Screws instead of the OEM screws from Partzilla or similar? They may not be JIS, but they are significantly less expensive and no wait time.

For reference: www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor.../engine-covers-80-d1 (#14 and 15)

Standard machine screw: www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-M6-1-0-x-50...rew-843278/204846008

Thank you!!

The thread is the same so I can't see why not, but obviously cut the one shorter screw down by 10mm to 40mm.

If you are going to use stainless steel, it would be a good idea to use some anti-seize compound on the threads.

No reason why these wouldn't work.

Having said this, have you considered moving to hex head bolts? These motorcycles don't even use phillips heads from the factory, they use JIS heads which are very similar to phillips. That's why they're so easy to ruin. Also, phillips heads are designed to cam out at a fairly low torque. This is a historic design choice that prevented over-tightening on assembly lines when everything was done by hand. It's not a good feature if tightening over and over again over the years.

If you use hex head bolts, the heads will never wear out or get damaged from normal use, and you won't need to worry about mixing JIS and phillips heads. I switched to stainless hex heads on my entire engine (you can get kits) and it's been a fantastic mod for a very low price.

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going to try swapping out for some hex bolts and see how they work.

The screwdriver in any Japsnese factory toolbag is JIS.

Because common handheld hex tools can often increase leverage, it's easy to over tighten hex head screws & strip aluminum threads. A gentle touch or, ideally, a torque wrench is recommended when using hex screws.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Consider allen heads too.......... I replaced mine (all but the valve cover) after a article in Motorcyclist many years ago and have had exc luck with them. They are extra nice when putting on new boots........ but like hex heads just don't over tighten em. I got half from a company they had listed and a few from Ace.