On Sat, 5 May 2007 08:14:52 -0700 Blake Sobiloff
writes:
> On May 3, 2007, at 3:33 PM, Jeff Saline wrote:
> > An owner can do the valve adjustment if interested enough. No
> > expensive
> > and fancy tools required.
>
> Jeff, I hate to disagree, but I think that most folks should have a
>
> 1/4" torque wrench that measures in inch-pounds before attempting
> the
> valves. At least in my experience, a 1/4" torque wrench is an
> "expensive and fancy tool," but one that's certainly necessary if
> you're going to do all the maintenance on a KLR. The torque
> settings
> are too important to attempt by feel, and we all know how annoyingly
>
> easy it is to strip the head cover bolts--and what a huge hassle it
>
> is to get that fixed.
> --
> Blake Sobiloff
> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/>
> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/>
> San Jose, CA (USA)
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Blake,
I don't agree that a torque wrench is a fancy or expensive tool. But I
can see how someone getting set up in the tool department might find it
that way. : )
I'd suggest an inch pound torque wrench and a foot pound torque wrench
that overlap a bit on the high end of the inch pound and low end of the
foot pound scales. Then you can get the best coverage of torque values
for the least amount of torque wrenches.
I believe Sears has a sale on two models for about $69 or so from 6-12
May. And the add I saw said you get an accessory kit with each purchase.
That included a couple of extensions, adapters and a u-joint. I think
those would cover most of the needs for home shop mechanics on a KLR.
I wouldn't suggest someone try to learn how to tighten bolts by "feel".
And I would suggest that even folks with lots of experience at wrenching
use torque wrenches regularly on critical fasteners.
I seem to recall a story told by a guy working for "lockheed???" at an
assembly plant. Mechanics were asked to torque some fasteners by feel.
Some were very close to the correct torques and were also consistent with
multiple fasteners. And some were all over the place with torque values
and very inconsistent. I think I'll stick with using a torque wrench in
most situations and get close and consistent on what I work on.
And I don't see a problem using a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter on a torque wrench
to get into tight areas.
Thanks for bringing up the torque wrench issue. I'm sure it will help
some novice and experienced mechanics alike.
Best,
Jeff Saline
ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT