Which Torque Wrench

[ssaigol]

New user who has never worked on this or any bike. Please advise what size torque wrench to get for 1. Oil changes, chain adjustment, basic maintenance. 1/4 inch, or 3/8" or 1/2".

 

[ShieldArc]

3/8 for most. 1/4 for small bolts.

 

[BaldRider]

I have several. I bought this one specifically for another motorcycle since it had the range for most torque specs of that bike and I didn't have to convert from NM to LBFT. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V6ZN759/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Some of the torque specs are pretty low so this one would also be useful if you don't want to measure by ugga-duggas. https://www.amazon.com/PRO-BIKE-TOO...6b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&pd_rd_i=B083MRWD6Q&psc=1

 

[dmonkey]

For doing chain adjustments you will be loosening and then tightening the rear axle nut which has a torque spec of 59 Nm, so make sure whatever you buy has that in its torque range if you want to use the torque wrench for it.

I mostly use one 5-40 Nm wrench and one 10-70 Nm wrench for working on my CT125.

 

[NMCoyote]

Harbor freight sells a digital torque adapter, it goes on the ratchet handel and your socket goes on it, about $40

 

[AZ7000']

I’ve stripped more bolts and holes with a torque wrench than without. The tool is one part, wet or dry? New or reused hardware? Calibration? Buying a cheap wrench isn’t a license to crank on it until it clicks….
Enjoy it, but use caution…

 

[NMCoyote]

By the way, I never use a torque wrench unless it’s bearing caps and such.

 

[ssaigol]

digital torque adapter

Sounds interesting. Unfortunately,there is no Harbour Freight in Canada. We have princess Auto though.

 

[cmb23trail125]

I’ve stripped more bolts and holes with a torque wrench than without. The tool is one part, wet or dry? New or reused hardware? Calibration? Buying a cheap wrench isn’t a license to crank on it until it clicks….
Enjoy it, but use caution…

While i agree with this 1000% a noob will never know when it is too much.

I have these and tested them against my Snap On and CDI TQ Wrenches and are within 1 Nm or 2 ft-lbs. For the $$ i trust them on my $20k KTM or my $2k DRZ.

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-Torqu...1&s=hi&sprefix=torque+wrench,tools,150&sr=1-7

 

[dmonkey]

To the calibration point, torque wrenches do tend to lose accuracy with time, use, and abuse. Keep the case it comes in and store it in there. Store it at the torque setting specified in the instructions which is usually the lowest mark. Only use for tightening never loosening. Don't hammer on it or use a breaker bar with it, only apply pressure to the handle, and try not to drop it. Most manufacturers recommend getting them recalibrated after several thousand uses or 1 year, though not all can be adjusted if their accuracy goes out of spec. Few people are ever going to actually do that unless it's a tool they use for professional work or that requires certification. As mentioned you can check one wrench against another though, or check the accuracy by hanging a weight from the handle or pulling the handle with a scale.

The digital torque adapters are really handy so long as there's enough clearance for it to fit. I've used a Harbor Freight "Quinn" branded one for travel duty and it has held up well to the vibrations of being carried on a motorcycle.

 

[G19Tony]

I have Tekton. I like them.

 

[cyb3rbyte]

I have a 3/8 Husky torque wrench from Home Depot, comes with lifetime warranty. Used it this last weekend to tighten the chain, worked great.

 

[Shoot870p]

1/4 turn BEFORE it breaks?

 

[ssaigol]

Thanks for all the great advice. I got one made by EPAuto Amazon. Works just fine.