1975 860GT side cover screw search

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rjk40
750 GT
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:54 am
Location: Malabar, Florida

1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by rjk40 »

On the 1975 860GT, the side covers are held on with two screws each:

P/N 0960.91.755 ( M6 x 42 per the parts manual.)

I have searched high and low for these screws, and have reached the conclusion that
they are made of the rare element:

unobtainium

Steve does not stock them, but he does stock the cage nuts that they thread into.
Mine disappeared thirty years ago when I disassembled the bike.
I do remember them being horribly corroded, so I likely pitched them.
My bad; I could have probably repaired them.

They are unique in that the head is very shallow, but wide, for low profile aesthetics.
and a plastic washer is used on them to keep from scraping the paint on the side cover.
There are screws of that diameter and pitch available ,
but the ones I have found all have heads that are big and ugly.

If anyone has a lead that might get me 4 of them, I would be grateful.

Thanks in advance.
Richard Kovach
Malabar, Florida
ducadini
860 GT / GTS
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2004 9:54 am
Location: Antwerpen

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by ducadini »

Cleaning garage and getting rid of "stuff" but stumbled on 2 of those. I suppose there must be more of them somewhere.
Don't know about the shape and can't recall if they had the rubber bushing on.
I'll let You know.

ciao
ducadini
Nego i ricordi peggiori
Richiamo i migliori pensieri
rjk40
750 GT
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:54 am
Location: Malabar, Florida

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by rjk40 »

Bless you. I do need 4, and am in no rush.

Please let me know when you exhaust your research, and
I'll settle up with you.

Thanks kindly.

Richard
rjk40
750 GT
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:54 am
Location: Malabar, Florida

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by rjk40 »

Forgot to mention:

I don't need the rubber bushings or washers; I can deal with that. The screws are the

most important item.

Thanks again
ducadini
860 GT / GTS
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2004 9:54 am
Location: Antwerpen

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by ducadini »

Had nothing better to do so went for a hunt :-D
Found seven of them, used (and some abused) of which two complete.
Also found that bolts DIN603 (or ISO8677 and available in Stainless) have nearly the same head as the Ducati screws and are available in M6 x 45 mm (just a tad longer).
The head has a diameter that is just a bit bigger, but turning it down in a lathe produces the correct height of the outer ridge.
Leaves You just to cut a groove into the head and polish them.
My supplier is about half an hour away and should stock them (22*30 here now).
The 4 left have rust and damaged grooves, then 1 acceptable and 2 nearly new (and shiny). Right the DIN603.
On the other pic You can see the nearly identical head.

Also look on a popular auction site : gio655 has some NOS covers, maybe he has some NOS of those unobtainiums also.
I think they are the same as the GTL350/500.
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Nego i ricordi peggiori
Richiamo i migliori pensieri
rjk40
750 GT
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:54 am
Location: Malabar, Florida

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by rjk40 »

Many thanks for the info.

In looking at the DIN603 bolts, the square faces would have to be removed to allow the bolt to turn, once a slot was cut into the head
or if washers were used to stand the facets outside the side cover hole, it would protrude quite a bit, unless I am missing something.

If you are willing, I would gladly purchase all of yours that you would sell; I just would like to know how I could get you the money for the bolts and the shipping. Price is not an issue.

Please let me know at your convenience,
and Thanks Again.

Regards,
Richard
ducadini
860 GT / GTS
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2004 9:54 am
Location: Antwerpen

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by ducadini »

It shouldn't be to difficult turning those square thingies away but I understand Your hesitation to make the cut in the head.
So on went the search and I found them quickly on three places, two nearby (Central Auto and Fabory) and one in Italy (I wondered where Ducati would buy : just down the road at Imola).
I only did the search in Stainless A2 but found no DIN nor ISO reference, only the term "NF E25-129" (and found some on the auction-site also).
Dimensions are (as far as I can tell) the same as the originals.
http://www.centralauto.be/nl/categoriee ... pschroeven
https://www.nestinox.com/nl/3/100130170 ... IAM%5B6%5D
https://www.fabory.com/nl_BE/laagbolkop ... ble-anchor
Sorry about the long link, analfadigital and unwilling to indulge myself in learning modern tricks :twisted:
If You REALLY want that scrap I have here, we'll work something out ;)

ciao
ducadini
Nego i ricordi peggiori
Richiamo i migliori pensieri
rjk40
750 GT
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:54 am
Location: Malabar, Florida

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by rjk40 »

Wow! Thanks a bunch for the links.
I shall dig into them and see what I can find that might work. What I saw at one place
were a bit rough, but that was only the middle link that you sent.

Thanks much, for the offer.
I may still want to work that out with you; do you have a PayPal account? Know about that app?
If you do, I could send you the money that way.

Best Regards,
Richard
ducadini
860 GT / GTS
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2004 9:54 am
Location: Antwerpen

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by ducadini »

My daughter is getting married this weekend, so I'm grounded from motorcycles :oops: :oops: .
The governement (NOT MY governement) is thinking about a total lockdown (again) and this will be decided this weekend.
I can dodge that and next week go directly to CentralAuto and Fabory (20 miles away) to check (and eventually take a pic) the screws.
Meanwhile I still have a few boxes to check, maybe I'll find some more originals in good/better shape.

ciao
ducadini
Nego i ricordi peggiori
Richiamo i migliori pensieri
rjk40
750 GT
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:54 am
Location: Malabar, Florida

Re: 1975 860GT side cover screw search

Post by rjk40 »

Thanks kindly. I don't want you to waste too much of your time on this.
I am quite a ways away from reaching the point of needing these screws; I just like to
have planned ahead, so that when I reach a task, I don't have to wait very long for all of
the pieces.
I am looking at some sources here, now that you have inspired me to use my brain for
something other than an ear spacer (distance piece... ). There are some domestic suppliers
that may bear fruit, and once I get off of the current task, I will look at them.

I appreciate your efforts.
No need to make a trip to the supplier on my behalf.
Best wishes for your daughter.

Best Regards,
Richard
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