Titanium; Titanium Fittings For Your Virago

Man, am I confused. I thought that a little research would gain me a more complete understanding of the uses of titanium and its alloys. What I got is the fear that its use is a gamble and if you want to run it you must be schooled on proper ways to apply it. I did get a few ideas that were agreed upon in (most) all sources. If you have a choice use Grade 9, but is not all that common. Don't run Grade 2 unless strength is not a consideration. Stick to Grade 5 for the applications that you are likely to encounter on a motorcycle. Keep in mind that, although titanium is fairly strong and corrosion-resistant, it almost invariably gets used because it is lighter than the metals that it replaces.

So, use it as hardware and only structurally if you have it welded or formed by someone familiar with these operations. Personally, I'm fond of using it as Torx hardware to hold the cases together and the case covers onto them. Engine hanger bolts. Really anywhere that the hardware is not 'special'. It is available in Torx, internal hex, and hex bolts. Not in all configurations, though. For instance, I want to run titanium jam nuts on my valve adjusters, but there don't seem to be half-height 8x1.0mm nuts anywhere. SAE nuts that are very close can be had, but I don't like having one odd tool combo in my sets. I have a 920R and plan on duplicating the rear frame section in titanium tubing and plates. I'll collect the necessary parts. Then it will be a matter of finding a shop that will accept liability if their work fails.

A warning: titanium work hardens and has some adhesive qualities. You must apply some kind of anti-sieze compund to the threads. If you don't, you may find that even on fittings that are not that tight, the threads bond to those in the other part, aluminum or steel, and if you manage to turn the titanium piece it will pull the threads right out of the other piece. Titanium bolts threaded into titanium nuts cold-weld together and loosening these will likely ruin both. Remember that the best titanium is not stronger than the best steel; it's just lighter.

I find conflicting reports on its heat resitance. One supplier has both intake and exhaust valves in titanium running on stock seats. Kibblewhite insists on sintered bronze seats for titanium and only offers intake valves; the exhausts are steel.

More to come . . .

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