Torque Wrench question

Tormentor · Post by **Tormentor** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:32 am

I'm looking to buy a Torque Wrench to perform basic maintenance on my R1150R. Things like oil change, FD and transmission oil. I'm looking at a model that's 3/8 and has torques values of 30 to 250 inch/lbs. It's 16 inches long. Would it be sufficient for doing most basic things on the bike?

There is a great deal at Canadian Tire that I don't want to miss if this work...

Thanks!

Post by **Daryl_stamp** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:51 am

Should be OK.
I picked up a 3/8" drive unit from Lowes for about $80, made in US.
Works well so far.

DLS

Tormentor · Post by **Tormentor** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:57 am

Thanks for the answer! I actually bought one but brought it back last because I was convinced the values were in ft/lbs instead. I seemed way too high from what I was reading in the oil change tutorial on the board. Only when I got home did I realise that it was in inch/lbs...

Oh well.

It looks like a great deal. 40 of our high value Candian Dollar

instead of $70. I'll go back tonight.

Post by **taosports** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:27 am

Tormentor -

Please forgive me because it's early and my 1st cup of coffee hasn't kicked in but I think (if my math is correct) that you'll need a bigger torque wrench.

Converting inch/lbs to newton meters this early in the morning is a challenge but it seems the wrench you're looking to purchase gives you a 3.39 nm to 28.25 nm values.

For most general maintenance chores on your bike, you'll need to be in the 8 nm to 40 - 45 nm range. Actually, if you ever plan to take the rear wheel off, you'll need a wrench that will measure as high as 105nm for the lugs.

Anyway, double check my math...I'm brewing another cup!

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:34 am

I agree with taosports.... you need something that will do 5 ft/lbs to about 50 ft/lbs. That's pretty standard for a 3/8" drive torque wrench.

I have a Sears Microtork 3/8" and 1/2" drive torque wrench, and they have been great.

- Anthony

Post by **taosports** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:45 am

Just for reference, here are a few BMW recommended torque values for general maintenance chores on the 1150R :

oil drain plug 32 nm
valve cover bolts 8 nm
spark plugs 20 nm
brake calipers 30/40 nm
rear wheel studs 105 nm
fuel tank bolt 22 nm

For best accuracy, it's nice to have two torque wrenches - a lower range torque wrench and a higher one. Of course $$ is always an issue!

Tormentor · Post by **Tormentor** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:01 am

Thanks taosports

That's what I was thinking after reviewing Boxer's post for oil, and FD oil change... Darn... It's tricky because most model that I have seen so far, seem to fall in that range, 25-250 inch/lbs... I'm heading to Boston this weekend, I'll try to find one on the way down...

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:30 am

Tormentor wrote:Thanks taosports

That's what I was thinking after reviewing Boxer's post for oil, and FD oil change... Darn... It's tricky because most model that I have seen so far, seem to fall in that range, 25-250 inch/lbs... I'm heading to Boston this weekend, I'll try to find one on the way down...

Taosports is right. You need at least two and perhaps three (four if you are extremely particular about 1/4" drive low torque settings) if you want good scale calibration on the rear wheel lugs at 105Nm for an R1150R. If in Boston, look at Sears for their twist grip dual scale models or on their internet tool site. They have them on sale all the time for between $ 50 and $ 100 if I remember right. I have three, but only use the big one for wheel lugs. Running a smaller one at the top of the scale isn't the best use of one so I got the third one. Good luck !

geo

Post by **jfslater98** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:31 am

You may need to get two. One for smaller jobs like installing a windscreen, and a larger one for tightening down the rear wheels.

Post by **DSKYZD** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:19 pm

I second the second torque wrench.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:27 pm

If money is an issue, I would go for the higher range one first. If you over or under torque wheel lug nuts, the consequeces can be pretty serious. OTOH, if you over/under torque windscreen bracket bolts, the consequences are annoying and inconvenient, but not life threatening.

I use the Sears dual scale one in a 1/2" size for lug nuts, lawnmower blades, etc. I use the same sockets as I use with my Ingersoll Rand impact wrench.

I have yet to purchase a lower one in 3/8 for the smaller bolts. I use my internal torque wrench to guess those.

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:53 pm

Consider also buying a single torque stick for the wheel bolts. I think you can get one for around $ 25 or $ 30.

http://www.asedeals.com/accutorq.html (Note ratings in ft/lb, not Nm)

Thats a place that has them. I don't know about the quality, the site is just for your reference to think about that option.

Then you could get the two 3/8 inch torque wrenches to handle just about everything else thats normal on the bike.

geo

Tormentor · Post by **Tormentor** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:44 pm

Thanks guys, I guess I'll go with two then.

Always looking for a good reason to buy tools anyway:

"Honey, the guys said I needed to buy two..."

Post by **challey** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:54 pm

Consider also buying a single torque stick for the wheel bolts.

Is a "torque stick" simply a socket set for one torque value? What are the "strobe marks" that the site makes reference to?

Charlie

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 3:08 pm

challey wrote:
Consider also buying a single torque stick for the wheel bolts.
Is a "torque stick" simply a socket set for one torque value? What are the "strobe marks" that the site makes reference to?

Charlie

Yes

If your computer will play the video from that site, it shows how its used to limit torque. Assumes access to air tools as well.

geo

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:21 pm

Bill Haycock put this together awhile back, I think it is quite complete, Den

http://mypage.home.mchsi.com/bmwtools/index.html

Tormentor · Post by **Tormentor** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:42 pm

Fantastic site. Thanks alot.

I finally bought a 3/8 Torque wrench from Canadian Tire. It goes from 4.5 Nm to 29.4 Nm or 30 to 250 inch/lbs. Should be able to do a bit with it. Going to be on the lookout for a second one.

Thanks for all the info.