head stay or no head stay

[Tbone07]

If you can run the head-stay WITHOUT torquing the head to one way or the other, then run it. Don't force the head to line up with the head-stay.

My head-stay lines up perfectly with my head, but the bolt hole doesn't.....if that makes sense. So I choose to run the head-stay.

[ytman]

I would like to know LSRs take on the head stay. I don't think I've seen one of their units go one ride without a fracture

[mennis1971]

While I don't have a headstay for my lsr, I've seen others and they sure don't look very strong IMHO

[atvmxr]

I dont get what everyone's aversion is to running the head stay bolted in?  Why would anyone consider not using it?

i dont run it on my Rs or my zillas.  eons ago, the thought was the headstay kept the motor from reving as freely.  When the motor torques, the headstay keeps the cylinder from being able to move with the motor.  in theory, this causes increased side load on the piston and limits its ability to rev as easily.   on the zillas the headstay will cause the headgasket to start leaking

[wilkin250r]

I've heard quite a few arguements on both sides, and the general rule of thumb seems to be whichever is more important to you, motor or chassis.

The drag guys run without it.  It saves that much weight, and they claim it lets the motor rev free, and fewer blown head gaskets due to that much less stress on the head and head bolts.  The drag guys generally aren't worried about chassis issues, they're much more concerned about their motors.

The MX guys talk about breaking more motor mounts and more frame cracking without the head stay.  The head stay doesn't eliminate all frame cracking and issues, but they claim it's certainly worse without it.  The MX guys aren't pushing max horsepower, they're generally more concerned with their chassis than their motor.

I think that's what it boils down to.  Which are you more concerned about?  Chassis or motor?