Stainless exhaust collars
Stainless exhaust collars
I bought one of these to replace a chromed/bronze one that had to be destroyed to remove it. It only screws in about halfway, and then sticks. I've tried on three different heads, and it's the same on each. My remaining Bronze collar screws in just fine. Do the bronze collars wear, making them easier to put in? Or are the thread sizes variable on stainless ones? ~Or are they simply tight because they are new?
All advice gratefully received
All advice gratefully received
- George 350
- Posts: 565
- Joined: 16 Jun 2007 09:43
- Location: Northampton
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
Hi Oli.
It suggests that the thread is not parallel on the stainless nuts. Can you measure the thread diameter at the beginning of the thread and closer to the plain section? This would give you a clue as to why it is jamming.
The other scenario is whether the thread pitch is correct or not. Laying your 2 nuts together and holding up to the light should show if the pitch is correct or not.
Hope this helps,
George
It suggests that the thread is not parallel on the stainless nuts. Can you measure the thread diameter at the beginning of the thread and closer to the plain section? This would give you a clue as to why it is jamming.
The other scenario is whether the thread pitch is correct or not. Laying your 2 nuts together and holding up to the light should show if the pitch is correct or not.
Hope this helps,
George
George
350 Sport 1978, 350 Strada 1978
650 Norton 1967, 650 Kawasaki 1977 and 650 Enfield 2019
350 Sport 1978, 350 Strada 1978
650 Norton 1967, 650 Kawasaki 1977 and 650 Enfield 2019
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
well, that nuisance. it appears the stainless one is about half a mil wider than the original. I have a bloody expensive paperweight, then
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
Could it be for a 500?
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
are they bigger by that much? It was sold as for a 350
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
From memory 350 are 42mm and 500 are 45mm the castellated head sizes are also different
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
the old one is 42mm. the new one is 43mm...

- George 350
- Posts: 565
- Joined: 16 Jun 2007 09:43
- Location: Northampton
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
Hi Oli,
Where did you get the stainless ones from?
The supplier needs to know that they aren't fit for purpose. Can you not return them?
They shouldn't become expensive paperweights for you.
Glad you resolved it without wrecking the head(s).
Good luck and hope you don't have any more surprises on the rebuild and thanks for the publicity you are giving the club.
Regards,
George.
Where did you get the stainless ones from?
The supplier needs to know that they aren't fit for purpose. Can you not return them?
They shouldn't become expensive paperweights for you.
Glad you resolved it without wrecking the head(s).
Good luck and hope you don't have any more surprises on the rebuild and thanks for the publicity you are giving the club.
Regards,
George.
George
350 Sport 1978, 350 Strada 1978
650 Norton 1967, 650 Kawasaki 1977 and 650 Enfield 2019
350 Sport 1978, 350 Strada 1978
650 Norton 1967, 650 Kawasaki 1977 and 650 Enfield 2019
- George 350
- Posts: 565
- Joined: 16 Jun 2007 09:43
- Location: Northampton
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
Another thing Oli,
As an addition to your rebuild, you mentioned in CBG about M7 nuts and bolts.
DW Middleton stainless sell them, in nyloc too.
Perfectly ok for rocker trunnions and brake torque arms on Sports/Stradas. (Bolt only there to hold torque arm in place on welded on collar).
It's only the M7 kickstart bolt that I worry of stainless being strong enough to cope , but they have worked ok for the last 30+years on the Sport so probably are ok!
Regards,
George
As an addition to your rebuild, you mentioned in CBG about M7 nuts and bolts.
DW Middleton stainless sell them, in nyloc too.
Perfectly ok for rocker trunnions and brake torque arms on Sports/Stradas. (Bolt only there to hold torque arm in place on welded on collar).
It's only the M7 kickstart bolt that I worry of stainless being strong enough to cope , but they have worked ok for the last 30+years on the Sport so probably are ok!
Regards,
George
George
350 Sport 1978, 350 Strada 1978
650 Norton 1967, 650 Kawasaki 1977 and 650 Enfield 2019
350 Sport 1978, 350 Strada 1978
650 Norton 1967, 650 Kawasaki 1977 and 650 Enfield 2019
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
Are you sure, that stainless esxhaust collars are the adequade material to insert in our heads?
I have a brand new pair of them since years. But building up Dulcinea I decided not to use them. Maybe with ceramic or copper paste it will do, but in my opinion this cobination of material is not the best choice
I have a brand new pair of them since years. But building up Dulcinea I decided not to use them. Maybe with ceramic or copper paste it will do, but in my opinion this cobination of material is not the best choice
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
funnily enough, I've just finished off the engine and the kickstart bolt is missing!George 350 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2025 01:11 Another thing Oli,
As an addition to your rebuild, you mentioned in CBG about M7 nuts and bolts.
DW Middleton stainless sell them, in nyloc too.
Perfectly ok for rocker trunnions and brake torque arms on Sports/Stradas. (Bolt only there to hold torque arm in place on welded on collar).
It's only the M7 kickstart bolt that I worry of stainless being strong enough to cope , but they have worked ok for the last 30+years on the Sport so probably are ok!
Regards,
George
I shall pop up to my local fastener people when this edition has gone to press and ask them. I have to get some 2BA screws for the triumph...
I cant remember where i got the collar from. It was years ago!
Last edited by Oli Hulme on 03 Dec 2025 13:27, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
tbh i was wondering that myself. I've been using high temp aluminium grease on all the stainless bolts i've been using going into alloy, but that thread on the head looks awfully vunerable. I think i'll search for a proper one, and possibly get this one turned down a mm in the meantimenorbert wrote: ↑03 Dec 2025 13:14 Are you sure, that stainless esxhaust collars are the adequade material to insert in our heads?
I have a brand new pair of them since years. But building up Dulcinea I decided not to use them. Maybe with ceramic or copper paste it will do, but in my opinion this cobination of material is not the best choice![]()
Re: Stainless exhaust collars
I do have some stainless bolts in aluminium as well (fork clamps etc.) Allways screwing them in with mos2-grease. But don't daré this with te delicate exhaust threads.