Torque Wrench
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 3
From: Poulsbo, WA
Torque Wrench
Looking to purchase a couple torque wrenches (ft. pounds & inch pounds). Looking over at the Sears Craftsman line I thought those were huge for working on a bike.
Can you recommend a good wrench for working on motorcycles?
Thanks!
Can you recommend a good wrench for working on motorcycles?
Thanks!
Last edited by bdorr67; Aug 28, 2008 at 09:24 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
I ordered an inch and a foot lb. torque wrench from Harbor Freight. Several forum members recommended them. I have used them the last 2 years with no problems. They are less then 1/2 the cost of the Craftsman ones, so I would have probably not gotten them, thinking they were crap, but thanks to the good reviews I got them.
Tom
Tom
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: New Hampster!
Sears torque wrenches are fine if you only use them occasionally. I do however use the 'snap' or 'release' type, as the beam type are a pain in the *** to see soem times and I feel not as accurate. I have gone through several of them and eventually the handles loosen up . This presents an accuracy problem as the value is read through a window in the handle. You can change the value just by jiggleing the handle, not good for accuracy. I ended up spending a bit more money on the Matco brand. Snap-On makes a good one also. These can be purchased online. You will need a couple of different sizes I have a 1/2 inch drive that goes from 25-250 ft lbs and a 3/8 dribe that goes from like 10-120 ft lbs and then a small 3/8 that reads in inch pounds. The old adage is you get what you pay for. Just remember to that accuracy is usually in th emiddle of the range and falls off near the top and bottom of the range so several wrenches with overlapping ranges are essential, loosen the setting when not in use and never use them to loosen the fastners. JMHO
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 4
From: Celebration, FL
I use Sears Craftsman for Inch/Lbs, Craftsman for Ft/Lbs and a cheap-o off brand from Pep Boys for my rear axle, and have never had issues. Even though I love Harbor Freight, the torque wrench I got there was total junk, and I ended up stripping my primary cover using it. I exchanged it, and the second torque wrench was even worse. I recommend paying a little extra, and getting a quality torque wrench when it comes to working for your bike, you get what you pay for.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
I have the foot pound and inch pound Craftsman wrenches and they work great.
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Sears torque wrenches are fine if you only use them occasionally. I do however use the 'snap' or 'release' type, as the beam type are a pain in the *** to see soem times and I feel not as accurate. I have gone through several of them and eventually the handles loosen up . This presents an accuracy problem as the value is read through a window in the handle. You can change the value just by jiggleing the handle, not good for accuracy. I ended up spending a bit more money on the Matco brand. Snap-On makes a good one also. These can be purchased online. You will need a couple of different sizes I have a 1/2 inch drive that goes from 25-250 ft lbs and a 3/8 dribe that goes from like 10-120 ft lbs and then a small 3/8 that reads in inch pounds. The old adage is you get what you pay for. Just remember to that accuracy is usually in th emiddle of the range and falls off near the top and bottom of the range so several wrenches with overlapping ranges are essential, loosen the setting when not in use and never use them to loosen the fastners. JMHO
Sometimes I make my living using them,................. on YOUR scoot.
What would you like me to use? Jus' aksin'. (No, it's not misspelled
)
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: blah
I have Snap-On and Craftsman torque wrenches. Snap-Ons are excellent. Craftsman is "Ok"; it's a twist-handle clicker calibrated in inch/lbs.
Snap-Ons have a dial specifying the precise setting;
3/8" drive, 18~80lb range, adjustable in 2lb increments
1/2" drive, 50~250lb range, adjustable in 5lb increments
These ALWAYS work as advertised
Craftsman has a twist handle marker that lines up with a scale stamped on the shaft;
3/8" drive, 20~240in range, adjustable in 1in increments
Works pretty well. In practice, it can be difficult to dial in the exact value you need. Twist handle markers don't always line up with the scale on the shaft.
Snap-Ons have a dial specifying the precise setting;
3/8" drive, 18~80lb range, adjustable in 2lb increments
1/2" drive, 50~250lb range, adjustable in 5lb increments
These ALWAYS work as advertised
Craftsman has a twist handle marker that lines up with a scale stamped on the shaft;
3/8" drive, 20~240in range, adjustable in 1in increments
Works pretty well. In practice, it can be difficult to dial in the exact value you need. Twist handle markers don't always line up with the scale on the shaft.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: Brentwood TN
Craftsman torque wrenches have a poor quality rating on their current line. I'd stay away form them. I got a decent one at Ace Hardware for about $45. It is adjustable for every torque spec on my bike. Works good.