General Topics/Tech Tips Discussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.

Torque wrench??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 13, 2024 | 07:52 PM
  #11  
CoolBreeze3646's Avatar
CoolBreeze3646
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,528
Likes: 30,847
From: Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by 81shovelhd!
Around 36 years riding and whatever repairs/adjustments I've ever done have been done without a torque wrench.
Then again, I've never done a rebuild or any serious internal work
Nothings ever cracked, busted or fallen off.
Am I alone in this?
I'm about to install rear shocks on my 2010 RK to replace the originals and the torque wrench came to mind........thinking of getting one for this operation.
​​​So........to what extent are torque specs necessary?
And can you recommend one?
Tx!
Originally Posted by Rounders
If think you are mistaking the spirit of this thread. He really doesn't want to buy tq wrenches.
Reading comprehension is a virtue. Forgot to put my disclaimer on my post - now added.

Maybe read, think, and digest the OP spirit of the thread before spouting out more of your gibberish.

The OP asked a question and requested a recommendation.

Quit trying to derail yet another thread. Here is your patch, wear it with pride; now go back to your 103 build if you can find all the parts in your garage.



 

Last edited by CoolBreeze3646; Mar 13, 2024 at 07:56 PM.
Old Mar 13, 2024 | 08:39 PM
  #12  
Old New Rider's Avatar
Old New Rider
Road Warrior
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 543
From: MN
Default

Originally Posted by GalvTexGuy
I’m big on torque wrenches and Loctite when it comes to critical fasteners on my motorcycles.

I use CDI torque wrenches.
+1
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2024 | 12:23 AM
  #13  
07UltraGuy's Avatar
07UltraGuy
Banned
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4,027
Likes: 6,286
From: SoCal
Default

I'll interject something to chew on...
Professionally, I have managed a QC department with a ton of calibrated equipment, including calipers & torque wrenches, etc. so I understand the need for ensuring the accuracy of the tool.
At home, I have a couple of tq wrenches. They're inexpensive versions that you'd expect to find in many a DIY-type of garage.
One of them had a certification when it was new, but I've never sent it in in maybe 10 years of occasional use, but I still trust it to be accurate enough.
Again, for rebuilding critical components, accuracy is important, or failure can certainly result.

So how often do you guys calibrate them, if ever?

BTW I'm still trying to figure out why a guy who by his own admission has never used a torque wrench on his axle nuts, is suddenly thinking of buying one to install rear shocks.



No offense meant to the OP, it just struck me as an odd project to "require" a tq wrench after so long of not using one at all.
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2024 | 04:44 AM
  #14  
TracerBullet's Avatar
TracerBullet
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,858
Likes: 5,421
From: My own little slice of heaven
Default

Originally Posted by GalvTexGuy
I’m big on torque wrenches and Loctite when it comes to critical fasteners on my motorcycles.

I use CDI torque wrenches.

same
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2024 | 04:51 AM
  #15  
Andy from Sandy's Avatar
Andy from Sandy
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Influencer
Liked
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,254
Likes: 4,946
From: England
Default

Originally Posted by 81shovelhd!
​​​So........to what extent are torque specs necessary?
And can you recommend one?
Tx!
I don't do much wrenching on a daily basis so no practice between services on doing up fasteners.

I ended up buying 2 to cover all the small to medium jobs so far but will need to get a "big" wrench if I ever have to remove the engine sprocket. For now I have one good enough for the 100 ft-lbs axle nuts.

All three are made by Norbar.
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2024 | 05:08 AM
  #16  
Gas Smasher's Avatar
Gas Smasher
Road Master
Veteran: Army
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 806
Likes: 1,136
From: West Texas
Default

Originally Posted by GalvTexGuy
I’m big on torque wrenches and Loctite when it comes to critical fasteners on my motorcycles.

I use CDI torque wrenches.
I am big on torque wrenches too. I torque almost everything. Sometimes the service manual calls out anti-seize on the threads, sometimes engine oil, sometimes Loctite. I generally follow the manual. If it doesn't specify anything most of those get blue Loctite for me. Most people don't realize that the majority of fasteners get far overtightened when done by feel, which can be just as bad as not tight enough.

I was a professional mechanic most of my career before moving into the management ranks. I have Snap-On torque wrenches, which are mostly made by CDI. All of mine are CDI. They make a good wrench.
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2024 | 05:17 AM
  #17  
Spartanden's Avatar
Spartanden
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Default

You could also go to auto parts store and rent one for your project. I recommend buying one, but if you do not plan to use but once or twice, rent one. And yeah, I got 1/2, 3/8, & 1/4 drive torque wrenches
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2024 | 07:31 AM
  #18  
Old New Rider's Avatar
Old New Rider
Road Warrior
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 543
From: MN
Default

Originally Posted by Gas Smasher
I am big on torque wrenches too. I torque almost everything. Sometimes the service manual calls out anti-seize on the threads, sometimes engine oil, sometimes Loctite. I generally follow the manual. If it doesn't specify anything most of those get blue Loctite for me. Most people don't realize that the majority of fasteners get far overtightened when done by feel, which can be just as bad as not tight enough.

I was a professional mechanic most of my career before moving into the management ranks. I have Snap-On torque wrenches, which are mostly made by CDI. All of mine are CDI. They make a good wrench.
I think it's the other way around - Snap On makes the torque head of CDI, and a Taiwan firm makes the handle to save money over the all Snap On wrench. Regardless, CDI is a fine torque wrench for the home owner that isn't torquing all day, every day like a professional shop does.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 14, 2024 | 08:33 AM
  #19  
470004's Avatar
470004
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 25,049
Likes: 19,455
From: New York
Default

I still using Craftsman's torque wrenches when they were made in the U.S.A.
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2024 | 05:28 PM
  #20  
Uncle Larry's Avatar
Uncle Larry
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,518
Likes: 57,070
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Default

Originally Posted by 81shovelhd!
Around 36 years riding and whatever repairs/adjustments I've ever done have been done without a torque wrench.
Then again, I've never done a rebuild or any serious internal work
Nothings ever cracked, busted or fallen off.
Am I alone in this?
I'm about to install rear shocks on my 2010 RK to replace the originals and the torque wrench came to mind........thinking of getting one for this operation.
​​​So........to what extent are torque specs necessary?
And can you recommend one?
Tx!
Originally Posted by Rounders
If think you are mistaking the spirit of this thread. He really doesn't want to buy tq wrenches.
Who is making the mistake ?

 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:32 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE