Tension Wrenches

Do you use them?

On my course last night the instructor had us altering the tension of our chains with spanners & normal wrenches. We didn't have any torsion wrenches.

My manual say's to use a torsion wrench upto 100 nms.

I just muttered words to the effect that my chain didn't need tightening.

Am I being over protective?

[ogden]

Do you mean torque wrench?

If so, the answer's no, never have. I've never stripped a thread or had a wheel fall out either - the magic of the split pin.

[the_lone_wolf]

i use a torque wrench, but mainly for my own peace of mind because i don't know how much 50nm feels like. according to a mechanic friend of mine most bolts are fine to torque to whatever you like, but some shouldn't be over-torqued, however he has snapped bolts before they even got to the specified torque setting

so in conclusion, i haven't the foggiest, but i know the manual says to use a torque wrench and i think there's something satisfying about owning one

Dirk go into more with me on this mate...Wanna hear how and what they taught ya, might give me the confidence to do it meself then

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

i think there's something satisfying about owning one

I own a torque wrench but have never used it yet
I don't use it to do chain tension cos manual says 100Nm torque on rear wheel nut, but my torque wrench only goes up to 60 or 80Nm (can't remember which now). So I just use standard spanners/sockets and put my weight on the ratchet handle - seems to do the trick.
However, at some point in the not-too-distant future I shall be replacing all the stock "cheese" bolts on the bike for stainless (or something like that) and so will probably use the torque wrench then

[rictus01]

Always on internals, and anything critical is what I teach, if you haven't got years of experiance, then use it anyway, it's not going to hurt, you can do damage if it's to tight as well as to loose.

one word of warning though don't be a slave to it, al the settings in the book are for new bolts, so bear that in mind.

Cheers Mark.

Originally Posted by rictus01

Always on internals, and anything critical is what I teach, if you haven't got years of experiance, then use it anyway, it's not going to hurt, you can do damage if it's to tight as well as to loose.

one word of warning though don't be a slave to it, al the settings in the book are for new bolts, so bear that in mind.

Cheers Mark.

Thanks Mark

Yeah I guess I remember reading somewhere that the torque setting in the manual are also for dry bolts (or something!?) ... and as I intend on using some copper grease (well it IS a copper pointy after all ) then I'll have to adjust the torque setting up/down (any offers?)

Cheers,
Pete

i use mine on parts that take load...or the bike cant move without, calipers wheels bars stuff like that, ancilliaries like levers controls bodywork and stuff just use common sense, summat like finger tight +1/4 or 1/2 turn with the spanner maybe, you can get a feel for how tight stuff is after awhile

Originally Posted by plowsie

Dirk go into more with me on this mate...Wanna hear how and what they taught ya, might give me the confidence to do it meself then

Going o have a go in the comfort of my spacious driveway this weekend - will keep you informed!

It appears to be a case of slackening off the axle spindle nuts then tightening the tension adjusting nuts on each side of the swing arm. Tightening up the axle spindle nut, then tightening up the tension nuts a bit more & job done.

Don't forget that on the SV the chain tensio wil increase (free play decrease) as you re-tighten the wheel spindle.