Calibrated Fingers

WER, I was more likely to guess chain adjusters/axle as I've rotated the wheel numerous times wishing the chain tension would settle in a more even condition. Damn that variance for seemingly no reason ! Im good on oil drain plugs, being paranoid of over use and thread fatugue..
 
This deserve the space beside the eyecalipers....
 
A few yrs back someone used the term "eyecalipers" to "measure" a close fitting part to one anothere. It was a thread joke at the the time. So it belongs next to the calibrated torque fingers.
 
On the XS, about the only time I use the torque wrench is for the head. I did use the TW for assembly of the cases during the rebuild. For chain adjustments on the rear wheel, no. Sometimes I minor adjust the clutch cable at stoplights if it is dragging.
 
weekendrider said:
gggGary another excellent guess but I wasn't thinking about the tappet nuts.
The two that I would definitely over tighten without a torque wrench are the drain plugs. 30 lbs. just doesn't seem enough. Oh it works, they don't leak. But put a box end or a rachet and socket in my hands and I want to apply two grunts and a fart to them. Anyone who has dealt with overtightened drain plugs knows it is a pita.
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I use 40 ft-lbs torque and Athena phenolic gaskets for the drain plugs. They never leak, and are very easy to install and remove.
Re-use the same gasket year after year.
 
Drain plugs are yet another great example. Drain plugs have no real mechanical purpose other than to in fact seal well and stay put. I do use the copper Yamaha gasket rings. My concern with drain plug threads is that One, they are quite well used by who in the past we don't even know, were they ever fatigued ? Those threads in the engine are extremely important to not abuse obviously. Two, I cinch them to tightness on my side under my bike in an akward position. I have in this case decided to trust my "feel" and I believe I set them on the light side, say 25+ . My tool choices include a 3/8 drive twist click torque wrench with an adapter up to fit the 27mm socket. My other tool choice is this 27mm offset socket style combo wrench. The sturdiness of my offset combo wrench just gives my hands better feed back as I cinch the gasket. Again, this is just an example of personal preference. -RT
20170924_091640.jpg
 
Ratranger said:
Didn't a magazine do a test with long time trained mechanics about this? http://www.superstreetbike.com/human-is-as-accurate-as-torque-wrench-mythbusters#page-2 Found it, I couldn't remember which magazine did it.
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Interesting article, interesting test results.
I recall responses such as "absurd !" to my mention that I use a torque wrench on my rear axle nuts.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/rear-axle-torque-for-the-75.50250/
I haven't stopped doing so. No one presented a convincing argument to stop doing so.
 
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Yet another example. I was very fortunate to have perfect Sunday riding weather today. I rode my dual sport again which continues to prove its worth on the local twisty forest roads. This mornings pre ride check included a tire pressure check and while there I strummed some spokes to hear the tension. 3,000+ miles on this tire set so some attention was proper. To even up the sound tones around the front wheel I used my spoke wrench and starting "feeling" the looser spokes. I twisted just a little more tension on a few spokes using judgement based on feel and sound. Then I had to tighten my left mirror just a little more. Just tight enough to not move while riding but not overly tight so it will move in a bump. More judgement there as well. Most components have a specified torque value which needs to be considered while a decision is made. Some components have a specified torque value which darn well better be set properly with a torque wrench ! But not all .. -RT
 
I wish I had that precision feel. I've noticed on certain jobs, such as my recent replacement of the sump filter and and gasket. They were small bolts going into aluminum, and I had the threads coated with anti seize, and I don't remember the torque value right now but it was low. Anyway I used the torque wrench and when it clicked I said to my self, you're kidding! They can't possibly be tight enough! But the torque wrench said its good.
If left to my ham fists, I'd be drilling out snapped off bolts right now!
image.jpeg
 
TimeMachine said:
Yet another example. I was very fortunate to have perfect Sunday riding weather today. I rode my dual sport again which continues to prove its worth on the local twisty forest roads. This mornings pre ride check included a tire pressure check and while there I strummed some spokes to hear the tension. 3,000+ miles on this tire set so some attention was proper. To even up the sound tones around the front wheel I used my spoke wrench and starting "feeling" the looser spokes. I twisted just a little more tension on a few spokes using judgement based on feel and sound. Then I had to tighten my left mirror just a little more. Just tight enough to not move while riding but not overly tight so it will move in a bump. More judgement there as well. Most components have a specified torque value which needs to be considered while a decision is made. Some components have a specified torque value which darn well better be set properly with a torque wrench ! But not all .. -RT
Click to expand...
With all due respect to you and your presentation of wanting to involve qualitative and incidental variables into the process of tightening a bolt, I think that it is mostly a distraction to the bottom line, well stated by RG (above), "The best feed back you can get is the "click" of the torque wrench. It means I will always have the same consistent torque, year after year." (hopefully, I haven't abused the intent of his remark).

What do you think of the test article presented by Ratranger?
 
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Yes Bob, that sump plate is set at a scary low value. I remember that feeling too. I am very considerate of engine components which have the potential to strip threads and ruin your day big time ! Here is a thought. I see the same dental hygenist every 6 mos. I absolutely respect her touch while she is scraping my teeth ! She has a touch that would seemingly only come with time and practice . Not too hard, not too light.. Some people are definately more attentive and probably not the ones who work at the rock quarry..
 
I am not claiming to be able to hit a torque value by number.Only relatively close. I am simply discussing the importance of also being in tune with the components tightness as needed.. I am also enjoying the replies.
 

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