Best torque wrenches for dirtbikes

GeorgiePorgie

GeorgiePorgie

PR Founding Father
I'm a nurse. Not a mechanic. i like to over tighten everything. I don't know why.

What's a good torque wrench to purchase ? Looking for a versatile one. I guess for a dirtbike I don't really need one with a high pound foot rating.

I'm looking at my owners manual and I'm seeing the most near 73.8 lbf ft. And the lowest around 0.5 lbf ft.

IMG_5771.JPG
IMG_5772.JPG


Wonder if I should get 1/4, 3/8 and a half inch. Or just two of those wrenches with adaptors.


Huskys have all these torx bolts too. Maybe I should pick up some of them. Husky has a 1/4 toque that comes with spoke torques. I might grab that kit and maybe get a 3/8 or 1/2 inch snap on? Not sure. Need some insight.
 
I have Armstrong torque wrenches. One is 3/8 and I have 1/4 for the smaller bolts. I took both of them to my job to have them calibrated and the guy didn't have to adjust either one of them. I had been using the 3/8 prior to him checking it.
 
I have 2 craftsman wrenches. 1/2 drive up to 150 ft lbs. and 3/8 up to 50 ft lbs for smaller stuff. Don't buy a cheap wrench or you will be snapping off bolts...also remember to back off the preload after every use .
 
I use a 1/4" Armstrong torque wrench on all of 12mm and below head bolts.
I also have a 10-100 ft# 3/8 Armstrong with a 3/8 x 1/2 adapter for the Front and Rear Axle Nut sockets.
 
I got 1/2 inch and 3/8 drives. Need to find a 3/8 to 1/4 adaptor. I just been using my impact drill to loosen and tighten to snug, then torque once it's snug. Seems to be working. Haven't stripped one yet. ha.
 
Pittsburgh torques. My dad had 2 of them, 1/2 and 3/8. They go from 5ftlb-150ftlb. He said they're really cheap, but they're calibrated and correct and will be fine for as much as I pick up a wrench. lol. If I was a mechanic and working on stuff 8 hours a day or just alot more frequency then he said I should probably get a decent one. But I'm a nurse. So $20 is good for me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/261976949527?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true


Actually considering getting one of these as well:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tusk-Spoke-...id=100005&rk=3&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=182442597700
 
GeorgiePorgie said:
Pittsburgh torques. My dad had 2 of them, 1/2 and 3/8. They go from 5ftlb-150ftlb. He said they're really cheap, but they're calibrated and correct and will be fine for as much as I pick up a wrench.
Click to expand...
Calibrated by who, the 11 year old Chinese girl who assembled it? Harbor Freight has some gem items but torque wrenches are not one of them.

Most USA manufactured Torque wrenches are rebranded CDI models with different ratchet heads on them. Regardless of brand they need to be calibrated every year and I send mine to Angle Repair in WV.
http://anglerepair.com/

For the guys who like Armstrong tools they will cease operations and close down at the end of this week.
http://www.taylorindtools.com/proto/armstrong-tools-is-closing/
 
I have a 3/8" Tekton and a 1/2" Tekton. The seem to really well built and come with a tough plastic case.
 
i willl use a fair amount of HF products but a torque wrench is definitely not one of them. hell ive seen some of the squares not even be square! got to pick and choose what you get from there for sure.
 
Speaking of Harbor Frieght, I've been wondering about the motorcycle lift. Anyone out there have one or have any opinion about it?
 
Bass 67 said:
Speaking of Harbor Frieght, I've been wondering about the motorcycle lift. Anyone out there have one or have any opinion about it?
Click to expand...

i've heard good things. a lot of car guys swear by their low profile jack also..no thanks for me on that one though!!
 
Bass 67 said:
Speaking of Harbor Frieght, I've been wondering about the motorcycle lift. Anyone out there have one or have any opinion about it?
Click to expand...
I know a couple guys with them and their biggest complaint with the Harbor Freight model is the cheesy wheel clamp it comes with. If you only own dirtbikes I would say they are fine for home use. I own 2 pneumatic models, the newest being a Black Widow model available from Summit Racing for $714 out the door if you go pick it up in Tallmadge. https://www.summitracing.com/oh/parts/rrr-bw-1000a/overview/

The other I purchased from Greg Smith equipment near Indianapolis but I had it shipped, they currently list for $900 with "free shipping" http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-Cycle-Lift. This model I've had for 13 years with zero problems. If you also have streetbikes I highly recommend you get a motorcycle jack in combination with the lift. These are the ones I have available on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/192136211759?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
For either pneumatic models you can get side extensions to make them 4' wide to work on Quads, riding lawn mowers or any thing else that fits. for motorcycles I find they just get in the way and keep you from getting closer to the bike your working on.
Picture is the Black Widow model. The other is beat up now and 12 different colors of spray paint from all the years of use but still works great.

3zxmYZe0PnVLue_KWf4TFkJrD4x9EzqA3stSQ1BnZjDPR9qpKl1WZTOPjUwunMBm8frZfQqNNXMC9eQAiTYPDPSbJjvI4fdg5lhf9X0Nlhxs88tbJjgMaAKJae3iLO67eyyGHnAPKckU3L4fVd7Ogt3TLmQcPWuDu6yMr6iQgpH9GT--lq1F2ZiTLPkG3H4NAlN7EXor4A7-jZ_GFHVvlqawSz01ra05_xwSh4_zt7MBGc_TVlS_TkgEU3GojcntkZWevN7cMgjqUZsvksCxelj_vYy3XParUDb2L5kf5k4dh3QLIQMsx0v2ryNKTyCXccA02q5J-OGmLqJuVzxD0_H0Gbj0xFhWqo9-L5lu8LQwe9ZQmMxlVkSlt-Aomle4hpMJGMysiahfLzictuxRwAZR4ezupeU5Ubv5eV877mhzGoG51-Lpk-_1s_BTSznMU-wy9TT6IOhZKw2pcJ_vtazW5jyNnrvC2idNigRluMVVlpfxLnw-Y-TClpYsCxnVtwZXAov0lVKJ9jSRaqutxMuJAYQ16t767oI0xSUKJS7DuemA7DNj_QCNQCPK6I_Rb8RaaWeT535PwAhWxZpfceSCGFb2EduwKZLDlwXCnU58yS-VW0E6Dg=w958-h639-no
 
I would only use it for dirt bikes. I have looked at them and noticed the cheap wheel clamp which I would probably modify since I do machine work anyway.
 
Bill480 said:
Why not? I have 2 of their ultra low long reach ones because racecar. If you aren't using jackstands u mad dum
Click to expand...

i mean if im laying under it absolutely. but if im just doing something quick and being lazy and not crawling under it.. ehhhhhhh
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top