Valve Cover Gasket Help

[BassCliff]

I'm not the Charlie Daniels of the torque wrench

What is a short handed spanner?

When you say various torque wrenches.... there is more than one basic type?

Thanks!

Rick

Hi Mr. ryonker,

Spanner = wrench. I have a set of "stubby" metric wrenches, open end on one side and box end on the other. They are very handy for tight places, and there seem to be quite a few tight places on a motorcycle.

Torque wrenches come in different sizes and torque ranges. 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch are the common sizes of torque wrenches, just like socket wrenches. The Real Gaskets' torque is measured in inch-pounds whereas larger bolts are measured in foot-pounds. Don't get them confused or you could over-tighten the smaller bolts. There are smaller torque wrenches that measure in inch-pounds and larger ones that measure in foot-pounds.

For the most part, Real Gaskets should be tightened to 15 inch-pounds. That is about 1.25 foot pounds (one and one quarter: 1-1/4). Not much more than finger tight. Most torque wrenches that measure in foot-pounds are not accurate at that low reading.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[SteveL-J]

So really size of the torque wrench is secondary to being able to dial it in? Any way of actually testing this big mother wrenchs before using them on our bikes?

Rick

I got mine at ACE, it's about 14" long and goes from 0-80 ft-lb (has metric settings too). For those places where it won't fit 'tween the motor and frame, take the tank off, use extensions (I have a thin 10" one that's easier to fit 'tween coils/frame/wiring etc.)