Hey guys. How is one supposed to tighten screws to the recommended poundage? I keep seeing this in the instructions and have no idea how to do it, although I can guess what it means.

I simply apply a "grunt" to 8-10 ft-lbs, and a "OOOFFFFF GRUNT" to a 21-27 Ft-lbs.

I'm not exactly a wrench but try to do everything myself, I'm just twice as slow.

Anyhow, I know what loctite is now and have gone back through all my installations of everything I have done and applied it to the specific studs etc. (I figured this out when I noticed several studs coming loose.)

Has poundage got anything to do with the loctite stuff? (As in, do you apply more loctite to stuff that has to be tightened more?)

Sorry if this sounds stupid but I would really appreciate any info on this.

 

You need a torque wrench.

 

You rewarded yourself with an expensive toy (nice bike!!), now be a good boy andgoto your nearest Sears store and treat yourself to a nice torque wrench. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_wrenchEven when torqued properly all these bolts will loose a bit and they need to be retightened (retorqued) once in a while The loctite is to make sure a nut won't come off that easy. Overtighten it with grunts (as you suggest) will "screw up" the bolt and most likely willdamage the part eventually.Undertight it and you will see those nuts flying off while riding along with whatever they were supposed to be holding in place. Imagine your passenger flying off since you did not torque the back rest properly. LOL

Seriously, all these ad-ons are made up to certain tolerances, too much and it will break, too little, they will come off any time. The manufacturer knows this, follow their instructions. My 2 c.

 

Damn, just googled it, ....... that's expensive. Hell, snap on one's are like 300 Euros. I understand exactly what it is now, thanks.

Ooook. Think I'm gonna take back a wrench I just bought and credit it towards a torque one. Somehow, I don't think it's gonna be a snap on one though, must be some for 50 to 100 . Better be.

Thanks again. Oh, and that Wikipidia page was interesting.

 

Recommend trying to buy one off of eBay...or even a used one. You can get them "calibrated" for less than 1/2 300 Euros.

 

Both SK brand and Sears Craftsman are desent quality/priced torque wrenches. Be carfull getting a cheap off brand wrench. THey may not be accurate andaluminum is easy to strip. Then you really will pay!!! A good foot/lb and a good inch/lb torque wrench with the HD service manual is a must have to do your own wrenching!!

 

Penny-wise, pound-foolish!