KHK Head Bolts

[wz507]

I’ll start this post like almost all my other ones “In sorting my ‘56 basket parts I came across …..”

In this case the question regards head bolts. The 4 long head bolts are all CP 1038 bolts, and all the short bolts are unmarked. It is my understanding that all the bolts should be marked CP 1038, but it seems like every time we attempt to set down a hard and fast rule about what should or shouldn’t be, exceptions pop up. So to those more knowledgeable than me, were there ever unmarked head bolts used on KHKs or should they all be CP 1038 bolts? Thank you.

[JerrryR]

The 54K that I am working on has all CP 1035 Bolts? I have an interest in this topic as well. If I can high jack the thread a bit I am also interested if the bolts should be cad plated and are the "Colony" repops good? Do they have the CP on them?

CP 1035.jpg (108.59 KiB) Viewed 14406 times

56 Cat 1.JPG (66.85 KiB) Viewed 14406 times

56 Cat 4.JPG (55.27 KiB) Viewed 14406 times

[strong56KH]

My 56 KH motor has the same, the 4 long are 1038CP and the short ones all have a plain head. I do have a couple of short ones with 1038 CP heads that came in a parts lot I bought. So, they could of both been used.

[fiftysevenXL]

My 56 KH motor has the same, the 4 long are 1038CP and the short ones all have a plain head. I do have a couple of short ones with 1038 CP heads that came in a parts lot I bought. So, they could of both been used.

My original-paint '56 KHK had the same; 1038CP (long) and plain (short). At one time I had put together a complete spare set NOS of the same, but have also found NOS 1038CP (short). Earlier K and KH motors usually seem to have the 1035CP markings (also on other areas of the motorcycle).

[fiftysevenXL]

Forgot to add in my last post: both the head bolts in my motorcycle and all the NOS ones I have found were cadmium plated.

[wz507]

My 56 KH motor has the same, the 4 long are 1038CP and the short ones all have a plain head. I do have a couple of short ones with 1038 CP heads that came in a parts lot I bought. So, they could of both been used.

Alright, glad to hear I'm not the only one with this particular combination of bits. I guess we also have to remember that 1956 was the end of the K models for consumer use and although the MoCo may have used all 1035CP at some earlier production stage and all 1038CP at some later production stage, perhaps as the "parts well" was running dry, long 1038CPs and plain headed shorties was what was available in the depleted parts bin? At any rate, I'm now feeling good about using the parts I have.