Topic: Need advice about buying a torque wrench

[charlevoix418]

There will be a sale starting next saturday, in a store named Canadian Tire:  torque wrenches prices will be reduced 45%:

I want to use it mainly on my CB350F: should I buy a unit with 3/8 drive or 1/2 drive? I have both sets of sockets.

Raynald

[RRRToolSolutions]

Raynald,

I use a torque wrench for just about everything when restoring by bikes. You will not need that 1/2 drive - I haven't.

95% of the time = 75~240 inch pounds (6 to 20 foot pounds)
All 6mm Phillips case and cover screws go to 75 inch pounds.
All 6mm bolts and nuts got to 85 inch pounds.
Most 8mm general bolts and nuts go to 14 foot pounds (168 inch pounds)
Spark plugs and oil drain bolts ususlly go to 14~16 foot pounds (168 to 190 inch pounds)
Most 10mm bolts and nuts go to 26~30 foot pounds.

I don't have your bike's specs, but things like axles, swingarm pivot bolts go to about 45 max.
Sometimes the clutch hub nut or a rear axle can go higher.

Here is my logic -
First for 90% of your fasteners you'll want an inch pounds wrench or one that will range from 6 foot pounds to 20 foot pounds (240 inch pounds) and 3/8" drive.
Second, the difference between 6 foot pounds and 10 foot pounds is not something most perople will "feel". Put 10 pounds on most 6mm bolts and screws and you'll either strip the threads, the aluminum your threading into, bugger the screw cross, or wring it off entirely. Same with spark plugs and drain plugs. People think they are going to leak or blow out. 14~16 foot pounds is plenty on these. There are some exceptions of course like the oil drain on the XS650 Yamaka twin - they take 30 pounds. - Consulte your manual.

Lastly, I have restored more than 30 motorcycles in the last 10 years. I have repaired 100's of 6mm threads, a dozen 8mm threads, and a handfull of 10mm - it's the small ones that really need the precision of a wrench.

Hope this helps.

Gordon

[charlevoix418]

 

Gordon,

thank you for that answer!

I checked in my 350F Shop Manual, page 75:  they give torque figures for a few components of the engine and frame only.  I was wondering if Honda had global torque requirements for other components like the ones you stated like oil filter bolt, spark plugs engine holding bolts (I slacked them to install a pair of Tarozzi crash bars) and Headers 2 holding bolts.  I mean:  are the torque figures you gave me are based on your experience or did you specifically find them in Honda tech data.

Especially, I have to reistall my mufflers and I need to know the torque of the 2 bolts on the cylinder head.

I will ad those torque values in my Shop Manual!

Raynald

[RRRToolSolutions]

Raynald,

Yes, those values are posted in several Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Honda manuals. I have them memorized, but do look at model specific data during every restor and repair. The "general information" will handle almost all of your fasteners. As for the exhaust - if they are 8mm = 14 foot lbs max. If they are 6mm = they are 6 foot lbs or "75 inch pounds".

Please keep in mind that when it reads 6mm, 8mm, 10mm it means the threads - not the wrench size. Most 6mm bolts and nuts have 10mm heads, but you can't use the 10mm specs on those little ones - the size is the threaded part. If you knoew that, then please over-look my redundantcy - I've heard of people making the mistake.

Regards,
Gordon

Here are a few for you to print off -

From the faq section of this board -
General torque recommendations
                            kg-m/lbs-ft             kg-m/lbs-ft
SCREW pan 5mm 0.35~0.5/ 2.5~3.6    Bolt/Nut (hex) 10mm 3.0~4.0 /21.7~28.9
SCREW pan 6mm 0.7~1.1/ 5.1~8.0    Bolt/Nut (hex) 12mm 5.0~6.0/ 36.2~43.4
Bolt/Nut (hex) 5mm 0.45~0.6 /3.2~4.4         Bolt  (flange)   6mm 1.0~1.4 /7.2~10.1
Bolt/Nut (hex) 6mm 0.8~1.2 /5.8~8.7    Bolt  (flange)   8mm 2.4~3.0/ 17.2~21.7
Bolt/Nut (hex) 8mm 1.8~2.5/ 10.1~18.1       Bolt  (flange)   10mm 3.0~4.0 /21.7~28.9


From the Suzuki board -
http://www.3cyl.com/bulletins/specification3.pdf

From the Kawasaki board -
http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/torque.html

[charlevoix418]

Gordon,

thank you very much!

I will ad the info in my Workshop Manual.

Raynald

[Duke McDukiedook]

Nice post guys- could this be a sticky if there isn't one like this already?
Or in the faq?

[Laminar]

One thing to note is that a 1/2" drive torque wrench really comes in handy when changing car tires - I didn't even think about that when buying mine but now it's almost all I use it for, and it gets used pretty often. But for general motorcycle needs, a 3/8" would be much more useful, since the 1/2" can read much higher than the 3/8", it's less accurate at the lower values.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Yeah 0.5" is good for lugs.

[NitroHunter]

Good post Gordon,
Wish I'd have had someone explain all that back when I started...
Good torque wrenches are calibrated to be most accurate in the upper 80% of their working range. IMO you'll find the 1/4" drive most useful, and at 45% off might as well get a 3/8" as well.
My 1/2" drive doesn't see much use around bikes.