07-24-2017, 06:22 AM
I am new to this party, and had the same concerns as previous posts. I am a big believer in "case saver" bars from past experience, and installed Motech bars on my 2017 CB1100 EX. I will try to explain what I discovered. The included long bolts are metric grade 8.8 ( roughly equal to SAE grade 5 ) whereas the stock long bolts are roughly the metric equivalent to SAE grade 8. This partially explains the difference in torque value of 38 N.m ( 28 Ft. Lbs. ) for the long bolts supplied by Motech, to the 44 Ft. Lb. torque for the stock bolts ( 44 Ft. Lbs might over torque the threads on a metric grade 8.8 ). Here is what I believe is the second part of the situation: In stock form, the long engine bolt is only supported by the stock hanger, inboard of the mounting ear of the engine. So, in order to be certain that bolt stays horizontal with no flex, a stronger bolt using a higher torque value is used. The Motech bars actually add an additional hanger, outboard of the engine mounting ear. So, the engine ear is now supported between inboard and outboard hangers, preventing downward bolt flex, and requiring only the torque necessary to keep the bolt tight ( plus I use blue thread locker ). Although as others have said, the stock bolts will work by the thickness of the nut, I prefer to use the slightly longer Motech bolts for better purchase on the nuts. Bottom line, if stock bolts are used, torque to factory spec of 44 Ft. Lbs., but if Motech bolts are used torque to 38 N.m which is 28 Ft. Lbs. The shorter stock bolts on the frame down tubes use the factory spec of 36 Ft. Lbs. I have emailed Motech with this question, and if the response is different than what I have speculated here, I will update.