04-15-2020, 01:22 AM
Unfortunately there is no way to know ( that I can find ) whether or not Honda discontinued using JIS cross heads, and if in fact they were discontinued, when that change took place. I can pass on some observations. I was fortunate to have been gifted a couple of Phillips Snap On screw drivers some time ago, by a friend who worked for Snap On. Anyway, a #2 Snap On fits the master cylinder cap screws with a hint of wobble, whereas a #2 Vessel JIS Cross Head screw driver fits those screws rock solid.
I think over the years, we have all seen + heads in various locations on a motorcycle, particularly master cylinder cap screws, that were unbelievably booger-ed up. Granted, many shade tree would-be mechanics and owners use cheap tools, and/or the wrong size tools. For me, here is one of the most important things I ran across while researching the subject, copied and pasted from the article, and something I knew from experience back in the day,
"Most people and companies outside of Japan have absolutely no idea what they are. With the similarity in appearance to the Frearson and the Phillips the screws are often damaged in removing and installing with the wrong tools. JIS tends not to camout like Philips. The JIS driver can be used on Phillips quite easily but not reciprically."
That last sentence is the kicker. I can use a JIS screw driver on a Phillips without consequence, but using a Phillips on a JIS can ( not always ) result in damage. Bottom line, you are good to go with a JIS Cross Headscrew driver when it is unknown if you are dealing with a Phillips or a JIS head.
I think over the years, we have all seen + heads in various locations on a motorcycle, particularly master cylinder cap screws, that were unbelievably booger-ed up. Granted, many shade tree would-be mechanics and owners use cheap tools, and/or the wrong size tools. For me, here is one of the most important things I ran across while researching the subject, copied and pasted from the article, and something I knew from experience back in the day,
"Most people and companies outside of Japan have absolutely no idea what they are. With the similarity in appearance to the Frearson and the Phillips the screws are often damaged in removing and installing with the wrong tools. JIS tends not to camout like Philips. The JIS driver can be used on Phillips quite easily but not reciprically."
That last sentence is the kicker. I can use a JIS screw driver on a Phillips without consequence, but using a Phillips on a JIS can ( not always ) result in damage. Bottom line, you are good to go with a JIS Cross Headscrew driver when it is unknown if you are dealing with a Phillips or a JIS head.