Author Topic: Tell me what kind of compression gauge to buy  (Read 647 times)

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Offline mycb750k6

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Tell me what kind of compression gauge to buy
« on: July 10, 2010, 05:43:25 PM »
Do they screw in where the plug goes or what? Can I pick one up at the auto parts store?

Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: Tell me what kind of compression gauge to buy
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2010, 06:09:21 PM »
DON'T buy a harbor freight one. Mine leaked right out of the box. Too bad I lost the receipt and couldn't return it.
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Tell me what kind of compression gauge to buy
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2010, 06:16:16 PM »
There are some that screw into the plug hole, but you then need to make sure you have the right adapter to fit the threads.  Handy if you will be testing compression without an assistant (you don't need to hold the gauge AND kick the bike).  If you have an assistant, there is the type with a rubber tip that simply presses up to the plug hole.  The nice thing about these is that the tube between the adapter and the gauge is pretty short, giving you a closer-to-truth measurement.  The longer tubed setups are still useful as you mainly want to know the RELATIVE compression between the cylinders, not the absolute.
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Offline Johnie

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Re: Tell me what kind of compression gauge to buy
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2010, 06:32:32 PM »
I got this Craftsman system from Sears. Has all the adapters I need to use the SOHC plug holes. Nice case too.
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Offline Old Scrambler

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Re: Tell me what kind of compression gauge to buy
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2010, 06:46:35 PM »
Johnie has the best system. The rubber-tipped units are OK but very difficult to get readings on the middle cylinders.
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