To Torque or not to Torque (and brake v chain cleaner)
 

Travelling for 1 year plus later in '19.


1
Who takes a torque wrench and who reckons you can do without one? Seems I'd need to take two to cover the range and you all know about space limitations...


2
I received brake cleaner instead of the chain cleaner I ordered - but have been told they're the same. Are they?


Cheers,


Simon

I would not bother taking one and save the space and weight, if you do need one ask to borrow or rent one from a local mechanic.

torque wrench
 

while in asia I found many don't have the basic tools besides a torque wrench,I will be carrying a 3/8 beam type with a modded scale to enable it to be held parallel to the shaft n the handle pin removable to shorten the overall length.
the scale has two clips to locate it when in use, the handle in position with a removeable pin. n of course blue Loctite. also take a spanner for the shock, didn't find anywhere including the shop that installed it-didn't come with the shock.

1. for longer travel I would take the small one, for low torques, delicate parts.

2. They're close enough if not chlorinated, honda actually recommends use their brake cleaner on chain as well.

As a mechanic, I obviously understand the importance of a torque wrench. But I would also add that the only time that one is really essential is if you're doing engine work.

But that depends on your experience.

I would never carry one.

My best advice here would be to go around your bike with and loosen things that you might need to work on when traveling and then use the torque wrench to do them up to spec and get a 'feel' to how they should be.

In my experience, folk with no experience tend to over-tighten everything as they think 'better safe than sorry'.

Most fasteners require way less torque than you'd think.

That can be a nightmare when you need remove something and you don't have a breaker bar with you.

As always. Prevention is better than cure. Removing, cleaning and lubricating components on your bike before a trip will help you if you need to remove them again.

+1 for Ted's reply. I am an Engineer so I understand the importance of torque figures but more important over lots of years I've learnt the importance of using feel. Do like Ted said - practice and then practice some more. The second rule I suggest is to always use the correct tools - small spanners are short for a reason. I ride an old KLR for which the only bolts I worry about a torque wrench for are a few critical engine bolts - yet if you believe the model forums it should either be a mess of stripped threads by now or conversely I should be shedding parts everytime I hit the road - but funny enough neither seems to happen (and whilst we are on this topic, resist the temptation to Loctite everything just in case - it is unnecessary and you are just making maintenance on the road harder)

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