What are the most common torque wrench ranges I would need for general maintenance? For example, I don't want to have too many, but looking for one or two which will cover most of my needs.

 

On a Harley? 3/8ths drive will work fine.

 

This may be true,but I have a 1/2 drive that I have had for years that is a digital dial up setting type That works for everything from the highest settings on my street bike to the lightest setting on my dirt bike.In other words it does it all.It is a Craftsman and has served me well for about 35 years.

 

I guess what I'm looking to find out, is what is a common range to cover all my needs, i.e. 20-100 ft/lb, 10-200 in/lb,etc.

 

I don't think you can get away with less than 2 or 3 wrench's if you really want to do it right. You'll need one that will get into the 100-180 ft pounds for a few nuts (rear axle and compensator nut come to mind), another in the lower range 10 to 60 ft pound range for the majority of nuts and boltsand one in low to middle inch pounds for several nuts and bolts. You may be able to find a torque wrench that does inch pounds and foot pounds in a range that will cover 95% of these needs but not one to cover all your needs. I would definitely recommend a torque wrench that clicks when it hits the setting rather than a beam type - i find it hard to stop exactly where I need to with the beam.

 

Look at the bottom of this thread and you will find many threads on torque wrenches.

 

You really need 2 wrenches to do what you want.As long as you take care of them they will last a lifetime,and will take care of you

 

Guess I should've checked out a search first, thanks.

Watie

 

I agree, if you have the funding. I have one in inch pounds for things like the primary cover and one in foot pounds for items such as the axle. My inch pounds is 3/8 drive and the foot pounds is 1/2 drive.

 

I Like Proto brand torque wrenches, but MAC is also a good all around wrench also. Snap-On is also good if you dont mind up-grading every few years. Just stay very far away from the Craftsman brand.....they are VERY inaccurate right out of the package, and even if you have the time and money to have them calibrated to get them within specs....they will NEVER EVER stay that way for more than a few uses! They also vary wildly in performance.....you may have one brand new one that is fairly accurate.....and another brand new one of the same exact model that is so far out it aint funny.

I guess the best way to do it for home use, and just maintaining your bikes would be to buy at least two click type torque wrenches. You definitely need a 1/4" driveinch/pound model that ranges from 30-200 in/lbs. Then you need a 3/8 drive that ranges from roughly 25-200 ft.lbs. You could also include a 1/2" drive model that will allow you to torque the axle nuts more precisely(also good for any fasteners that are frame associated that require more torque.
For the best results you dont want to push the envelope of the range of any wrench too far,,,,,and its a good idea to compare the accuracy specs of the wrench your planning on buying against other brands or other models from the same maker that are in the same size and range.

IIRC MAC does sell a boxed set of one 1/4" & one 3/8" click type in the ranges that are ideal for motorcycle maintenance. You could buy tools directly from most of the big name tool Co's on their web sites...like Snap-On, MAC, Matco. Or just go to ebay and shop around and then compare the model number with the corresponding makers web site for more info and actual price.