MXA TEAM TESTED: SPECBOLT 250-PIECE HONDA CRF BOLT KIT

WHAT IS IT? A self-contained kit that stockpiles 250 of the most commonly used bolts for a Honda CRF250, CRF450 or CRF150.

WHAT’S IT COST? $49.95 (250 bolts), $29.95 (120 bolts), $14.99 (bodywork only).

CONTACT? www.specbolt.com or (770) 363-6580.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Specbolt 250-piece Honda bolt kit.

(1) Grading. Specbolt uses 10.9-grade, zinc-plated bolts that exceed most standard motorcycle and ATV manufacturers’ specs. Grades 8.8 and 10.9 are the most common metric bolt grades. Grade 8.8 (carbon steel that has been quenched and tempered) has a tensile strength of 120,000 psi. Grade 10.9 (alloy steel that has been quenched and tempered) has a tensile strength of 150,000 psi. Note that metric bolts have two numbers?8.8 or 10.9. The first number, the 8, for example, is the tensile strength, and the second number is the yield strength. In both cases, the higher the number, the stronger the bolt. Specbolt’s hardware is high quality.

(2) Selection. The 250-piece kit includes almost everything you would ever need for your CRF250/450. Specbolt makes identical kits for Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and KTM owners (and they will custom-make sets for vintage bikes). The kits include most of the bolts you would need for your cases, clutch perch, plastics, fenders, number plates, magneto covers, cases, coils, fuel tanks, radiators, fork guards, triple clamps, handlebar clamps, brake calipers, chain rollers and much more.

(3) Cool factor. We took our Specbolt kit to a Honda factory mechanic and had him evaluate it. He was impressed to find crush washers for both the oil-drain plug and water-pump bolts. Additionally, the chain-adjuster bolts were well thought out, as were the shoulder bolts for the radiator shrouds and fork guards.

(4) Missing. One $50 kit can’t include everything you’ll ever need. Our experienced Honda wrench noted that there were no seat bolts (which have changed from 2012 to 2013), no axle nuts, no brake-rotor bolts, and no oil-drain bolt. However, when you lose these parts, your day is most likely done.

(5) Container. The Specbolt kit comes in an 18-compartment plastic tackle box, which fits very readily under the front seat of a truck.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? No matter how many bolts you carry, you always lose the one you don’t have. So, without paying a lot more money or lugging around a much bigger box, we can live happily with the 250 bolts in the Specbolt kit.

Shakespeare was on to something in Hamlet when he wrote, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend.” With Specbolt’s 250-piece bolt kit, you will never have to borrow another bolt at the track. Lending is up to you.