Would you tinker??

[dickturpin]

Plan on removing the radiator to remove the AIS shortly to fit Justy's kit. I'm tempted while there
to coppaslip the header bolts, but wonder if I'm tempting fate undoing these when I don't really need to.
Am I courting problems or would you do it as well??

[acid drop]

If you mean the cylinder head bolts  NO dont touch the head bolts cos you will end up destroying the seal between the head and the block

[dickturpin]

No, won't be touching them, I mean the exhaust header bolts.

[Fazerider]

Well, if you decide to go ahead, doing it with a hot engine will give the best chance of them coming out without shearing. (Aluminium expands more than steel as the temperature rises thus loosening its grip.)
I'd be inclined to leave them alone but, if I was going to take them out, I'd replace them with stainless ones as well as giving them a dab of copaslip.

[limax2]

Mines a FZS600 and I do the header nuts every year and reapply some copper grease. Never had a problem, but if your's have not been done before and they don't slacken fairly easily I think I would be inclined to leave them alone. Maybe apply some easing oil on them a day or two before you attempt it.

[PieEater]

Insert cliche - ......if it aint broke ......... can of worms ....... fettle in haste regret at leasure (ok I made that one up) ...........

[richfzs]

fettle in haste regret at leasure (ok I made that one up) ...........

sure I've heard it before though

[kebab19]

Are they badly corroded?

Spray them every day with Plusgas for a fortnight then use decent fitting sockets

Mine came off easily but then again no guarantee yours will

[SEPTIKANGEL]

Got Justy's kit too - winter project.
Read your post with interest, considered the same with bolts too, but some good advice here.
'If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!'    :rollin
or........
'Why do today, what you can put off  'till tomorrow' (Homer Simpson) :lol
Think I'll be leavin' mine alone. :rolleyes

[dickturpin]

They aint badly corroded, bike hasn't seen much wet weather at all.
Maybe you should go first Septikangel!!!!
Warming up the engine with the radiator off could be interesting!

[Falcon 269]

I'd do it because I believe in prevention being better than cure.  You'll be able to tell from the first one whether it's going to be a breeze or a pain.  If it's the latter, you can always bail out at that point.

If they're not obviously corroded, wire brush the exposed stud thread and squirt some penetrating fluid on them.  Leave to work while you're doing the AIS removal.

Undo one nut at a time, copper grease and replace.  Move on to the next and so on.  You'll likely be surprised at how easily they undo as they're not torqued tightly. 

No need to warm the motor, IMHO.  You want the nut to come off the stud, not the stud to come out of the head.

[Fazerider]

No need to warm the motor, IMHO.  You want the nut to come off the stud, not the stud to come out of the head.

Agreed. The OP was probably inadvertently referring to bolts rather than nuts.

[ZiggyCol]

Header nuts are one of the things that I believe warrant regular attention because at some point for one reason or another you will want to take the headers off.

So I make a point of undoing and re-greasing at least once a year and have never had a problem. It's a simple job and the potential pitfalls of ignoring it (sheared studs etc.) means it just makes sense.

However this only applies if you can easily achieve it. If you are already past the point of prevention then leave well alone . . .

[SEPTIKANGEL]

Yeah, I was thinking 'bolts', but just had a look and it's 'nuts', all of which look in pretty good condition with no crud or rust on the studs.
So I reckon this thread has enlightened me sufficiently to service me nuts while they're exposed.  :lol
Gratitude for the wisdom of my fellow foccers.
Won't be starting it 'till well into new year though Dickturpin, so...... after you! 

[Silverdream]

Think i will leave mine and go with the.. "if it ain't broke..." theroy...  :lol

[dickturpin]

Where are your nuts Silverdream? :eek

[richfzs]

bit personal isnt it?

[dickturpin]

Was this what Mike had in mind when he recommended a squirt of penetrating fluid!

[SEPTIKANGEL]

If that's what they look like without preventative maintenance,  :eek  I WILL be greasing my nuts