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Ditching the Phillips Head

  • Zacjust32
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Ditching the Phillips Head was created by Zacjust32

I've been fixing up my new to me '78 DT400 and have been changing all the old worn out Phillips head screws  to socket-head and pan-head allen screws. They look good and get rid of that age old problem of stripping Phillips screws when the screwdriver you have doesn't quite fit. Allen bolts are easier to tighten and loosen and they look nicer than the old rusty ones. I changed all the hardware on the carb hose clamps and miscellaneous body hardware for <$5. Luckily there aren't too many Phillips fasteners, but they really make the bike more enjoyable to work on. Anyone else do this?
Last edit: 27 May 2021 20:24 by Zacjust32.
27 May 2021 20:20 #1

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Replied by RTD2 on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

Yes, I did that even when I bought my original DT1 in 1971.  BUT just to be clear, when I finally understood that getting Japanese JIS Phillips head screwdrivers it eliminated stripping Phillips head screws.  Just my humble opinion.

Mike
68 DT1, 70 DT1C MX, 70 Husqvarna 250 Cross; 71 CT1C, 71 RT1B, 71 DT1E MX, 73 AT3MX, 73 MX360, 76 Honda Elsinore; 2021 KTM 500 EXC-W; 2001 Honda XR400R; 2007 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200
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27 May 2021 20:43 #2

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Replied by Steve F on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

Those screws are Japan JIS series & if you buy a proper fitting driver, available on ebay you will have much better luck with servicing your bike. Not an expensive investment. Check them out. 

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1974 DT250A
1974 DT250A
1977 IT175D "Alex"
1978 IT175E
1972 DT2 "Adam"
1973 DT3
"And there ya have it"
27 May 2021 20:45 #3

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Replied by darinm on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

Yeah for a lot of the bikes you can buy the allen heads as a kit on ebay
1972 Yamaha CT2 175
1972 Suzuki TS185 Sierra
2000 Suzuki RM100
2003 BMW F650GS
2009 Yamaha WR250R
2013 Yamaha XT250
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27 May 2021 20:45 #4

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Replied by KJB on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

"JIS " Drivers are what should be used not "Philips" ( look the same but are not the same ) 
I used Allen Head  Bolts as replacements years ago until I discovered JIS Drivers.....no problems, no need to change  since.
KB ( Australia)
'69 Yamaha DT1 S
'71 Yamaha DT1 .................................. '70 Suzuki T350
'72 Yamaha AT3 . ................................... '73 Suzuki T500
'86 Yamaha DT175 ..................................'68 Fuji Rabbit Hi Super 90
'06 Yamaha PW50
'94 Yamaha TW200





27 May 2021 21:26 #5

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Replied by KennyV on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

Yep, same here. I replaced every JIS / phillips head with stainless steel allen head on my RT2 project for the same reasons and three allen wrenches take up less room in the tool kit. As some have mentioned, the JIS screw drivers are the correct tools to use on the original screws. But over the past 30, 40 or 50 years how many bike owners used or even knew about JIS screw drivers? My experience the screw heads have been striped long before I ever get to them.
71 Z50 Minitrail
20 CB500X Halfrica Twin
21 CRF300l Rally
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Last edit: 28 May 2021 04:18 by KennyV.
28 May 2021 03:47 #6

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Replied by MarkT on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

Some models started coming with the allen heads from the factory...  as was said, it was a very popular thing to do even when bikes were new. 

Agree with the JIS comments too...  one thing to add is to use the correct size...  Case screws generally take a #3 JIS bit even though it seems #2 will work.
1963 YG1-T, 1965 MG1-T, Allstate 250, 1970 CT1b, 1971 R5, 1973 AT3MX, 1974 TS400L, 1975 RD350, 1976 DT175C, 1976 Husqvarna 250CR, 1981 DT175G, 1988 DT50, 1990 "Super" DT50, 1991 RT180, 2017 XT250
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28 May 2021 08:43 #7

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Replied by DEET on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

When using stainless steel screws in aluminum, I recommend coating the threads with Loctite purple threadlocker or an anti-seize compound.
You probably have seen the resulting galvanic reaction of zinc screws in aluminum when you take original screws out.
Stainless steel has an even greater tendency to react with aluminum.

Blue Loctite will also work.... it is just a little harder to break the screw loose afterwards.


Just my thoughts....
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Where the Yamaha Enduro is still a current model...
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28 May 2021 10:25 #8

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Replied by KennyV on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

Yes! Some type of thread lubricant is important, especially with stainless steel. I use a dab of copper anti seize compound thread lubricant on all stainless steel threads. 
71 Z50 Minitrail
20 CB500X Halfrica Twin
21 CRF300l Rally
28 May 2021 12:36 #9

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Replied by Schu on topic Ditching the Phillips Head

If the stock screws are in good shape I keep them.
If they are bad, I have used nickel plated allen heads, and I have used the small hex head bolts that come with the SPECBOLT kits. 
Schu

CT1B, CT1C, JT1, JT2, DT360A, GT80B, DT100B, DT125B,
DT175B, DT175C, DT250B, DT400B, Z50, SCR950

Someday, you'll own some Yamahas
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28 May 2021 14:04 #10

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