Stainless fasteners compete
with titanium as replacements for
the zinc- or cadmium-plated steel
OEM items. If an engine is apart
frequently—as it is in racing—the
plating wears off of stock-case
screws at points of tool pressure,
allowing in time a hint of rust. This
offends some of us so much that
forever-bright alternatives are nec-
essary. In restoring veteran bikes
of the nickel-plating era, making
handlebars and other parts in stain-
less provides a period look that can
never wear through.
Because they work-harden, stain-
less alloys are tricky to machine—
you have to “stay under the chip.”
Drilling stainless can be especially
troublesome. Stainless also makes a
poor friction partner. For that reason,
many exhaust valves are made in
two pieces friction-welded together:
a heat-tolerant stainless head and a
seizure-resistant carbon-steel stem.
Stainless steels are attractive for
many purposes—good materials
to learn more about. And they TIG
weld beautifully. Q
ABOVE: Burns Stainless Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-8 touring-frame race system shows
that with tube bends, a TIG machine, and welding skill, the world can be yours. Better add
some practice... BELOW: High-performance stainless-steel valves like these from S&S Cycle
resist heat and erosion, thanks in part to the chromium oxide that forms naturally on bare
stainless. Some stainless valves are nonetheless coated outside of the sealing area.JEFF ALLEN26 / CYCLE WORLD