Re: Reliable Online Sources For Metric Tools, Fasteners & Electronic Parts.
Im a bit of an automotive fastener whore. When I used to build cars, I often went to all the part out cars for whatever I was building at the time and show up with tools and offer the owner 20 bux if I could sift thru the car for all the shiny new hardware in the interior and under the carpet etc.....
Metric automotive is not usually standard machining practice so the thread types are sometimes harder to find.
Bikes are the same but use a lot more common threads like M5, m6, m8........when you get to M10 and up, its usually fine pitch.
I found ebay the easiest place to get those sizes, in stainless, or coated steel, or even hardened steel.
I recently parted out a bike, I kept every bolt and nut. The crew I pit with at track days greatly appreciate my bucket of spare bolts.
Local places like brafasco, fastenal, big box stores etc.......they got NOTHING of use to us. So as I mentioned, maybe create a stash by buying some small bulk packages of m4, 5 6 8 and 10 stainless automotive pitch thread sizes from ebay.
I recommend stocking button head and socket cap screw type the most as they are likely the most common non major bolt types on the bike and use allen keys. ie the stuff that rattles off
Or visit guys on kijiji who are parting out bikes and offer them some cash to pick thru the bike they are parting and rape it for hardware.