Choosing a Torque Wrench for your Harley-Davidson

[@bigj200016]

4 years ago I bought a Kobalt digital torque wrench. One of the best purchases I ever made. I do have a 3/8 and 1/2” Harbor Freight click wrenches as well, but the digital is my go to when it counts.

[@thomasfrawley5798]

A must for do it yourselfers ,we always try to cut corners and use just what is lying around the shop. Keep it up Doc.

[@precisionbay6899]

Doc is really a man of his trade. Mechanic for 10 years and owned my own bay for 5. I learn everytime I watch him. Thank you for the videos

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for joining in....Doc

[@talkingrock7011]

Expensive is a real honest statement , tools have sky rocketed since I started building my box in the 80’s

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I have a hard time seeing new techs struggling to acquire good tools and not be so far in debt. most of mine came from mechanics retiring....Doc

[@michiganborn8303]

Excellent video Doc. I'm told there's 2 rules of thumb when it comes to torque wrenches. 1. You mentioned it at the end. Always reset the torque wrench back to zero when done with the wrench. and... 2. When torquing down a fastener and you want accuracy, try using a wrench that rated 2x the torque spec of the fastener. Example, if you have a nut that requires 75 f/lb, use a wrench rated at 150 lbs.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Interesting 2nd rule. Email me the article that explains why...Doc

[@michiganborn8303]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Skip to 13:40 if you don't want to see the whole video on tightening head bolts on a Honda. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4irc6ahgMR5adE

[@bobmaslan2401]

Doc, Great video. I bought the exact same Snap-on dial type torque wrench about 50 years ago, and believe it or not, I still have it (in the original box), along with my Mac half inch drive clicker. I always reset the clicker at zero after using it. Thank you for bringing back old memories.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Anytime and thank you for sharing your story....Doc

[@lynnsample4549]

Excellent video. I'm definitely a clicker fan. Did torque wrench calibration in the Air Force, years ago, rarely were they out of spec. The largest was a 1" drive with a 4' handle. (Hated that wrench, it didn't click, it BANGED!) 😁 Thanks again!!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I can't imagine a 1" with a 4' handle!!!....Doc

[@lynnsample4549]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson think landing gear on B-52 & KC-135, etc. Also hydraulic test bench setup.

[@edwinpadilla856]

Sir, I have learn a lot over the years how to maintained/ fix my vrod, and also what tools to use with the evolution engine. Very grateful to you sir and your videos.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you...Doc

[@videomaniac108]

Back in the early 1970s, when I started doing work on cars and motorcycles, I would go to a Sears store every payday and buy a new Craftsman tool to build up my tool set. I quickly learned the importance of torquing fasteners properly, especially the ones going into aluminum materials and gasket sealing surfaces, and got two Craftsman deflecting beam wrenches, a ¼" and a ⅜" drive. Today, I have a ⅜" Quinn electronic digital and a ½" Icon electronic digital, both that I got at Harbor Freight. I love these electronic digital wrenches and am planning to get a ¼" drive electronic one if I can find a good one that isn't as expensive as something from Proto or Snap On. Not being a professional mechanic, I find it hard to justify spending $1K for a torque wrench.

[@stuckinnj9554]

Excellent review. To clarify, when done always return to it’s lowest setting I.e. 30-250, return to 30. There is not a ‘zero’ setting on any torque wrench I’ve used. Turning it passed the lowest setting will damage the devise. Keep up the good work…..

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge....Doc

[@ericleger8158]

PAST not passed

[@glawnow1959]

Great video! I have a bike I am working on and I know I need a couple of torque wrenches. I loved your explanation of the pros and cons of each kind of torque wrench.

[@Ron-FabandBuild]

Always great tips and content Doc. Thanks

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you Ron for your support….Doc

[@BrewCityRider]

I've got all 3 click style from HF and one digital in 1/2" that goes up to 250 ft. pounds. The only one that is a little finnicky is the 1/4" click style. which can be a bit difficult to feel & hear the click. In addition to backing off spring pressure prior to storage, I read in the manual that you should tighten/loosen 3 times before using the 1/4" click style. This has helped. Oh and I love that little 1/4" red one you've got there. I might look for one.

[@Jamestreeman]

What a wealth of knowledge and also a great representation of the bike world.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you....Doc

[@chip9832]

Un winding spring good tip Haven't heard that before

[@jeremydrewett5657]

Thanks Mike, that was a really useful video, particularly about cleaning and recalibration. Jerry 🇬🇧

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Glad you enjoyed it...Doc

[@DevilDog59]

Great video. The dial indicator is a very good torque wrench we use it in aviation because we have to record the run on torque while installing bolt or nut and add the run on torque to the final torque requirement so we are achieving the correct final torque

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for sharing John....Doc

[@jeremysterious.]

Hey doc, When I first started buying Harley.... The maintenance, is what really freaked me out... Thank You, For helping us out...

[@flytheedge]

I’ve used several brands of torque wrenches. I just upgraded to the GearWrench XP with angle, which can be found around $250 or so. Look no further than this one. All the features of the expensive tool truck brands at a much lower price point and stellar quality!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for sharing....Doc

[@pb68slab18]

Mine are all from Proto. Even have a couple of their screwdriver types. One guy I knew bought a fancy polished or chrome oil pump (cover?) for his Evo. He even bought a torque wrench, but obviously didn't know the diff between inch-pounds and foot-pounds. Stripped almost every screw out!

[@georgewetzel4380]

Hey Doc, I have the same Craftsman beam torque wrench!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

A good tool....Doc

[@gregmaxwell391]

Another great video from Doc. 👍

[@tpitman]

My first torque wrench was a beam style. Used it to torque the bolts on the oil filter cover on my Suzuki. Broke one of the bolts, and had to use a screw extractor on it to remove it. Also managed to bugger up one of the bolts securing the carb to the manifold on my Sportster. I use my click-style torque wrenches on stuff like the front chain sprocket in the primary, and on axle bolts, but anything much smaller I pretty much just snug stuff up slightly past seating. For me, I've run into too many "fix it 'til it's busted" situations on my bikes using a torque wrench on the small stuff.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

And you used Inch-pounds torque wrench that was recently calibrated? I would be scared too…..Doc

[@Majatecks]

In the military they really emphasized storing them at zero and not below. Storing them below zero apparently stretches or compresses the spring causing them to fall out of calibration. Food for thought.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for sharing...Doc

[@jfk5230]

Nice work Mr

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you kindly...Doc

[@jlc904ubc]

Great video Doc! Great info.

[@mlunden11]

Hey doc thanks brother u made my day!! Glad ur feeling good.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

You made my day y taking the time to watch.....Doc

[@georgeboatright6635]

thank you. excellent presentation.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

You are welcome.....Doc

[@kritiko]

Thx for the tips…i didn’t know we had to unscrew click wrenches 😉👍

[@steventwiddy3402]

How many year loan does snap on do for those digital torque wrenches ? Lol. Doc as always another great video

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I don’t know how new young techs can afford tools the way price has skyrocketed 🤷‍♂️…..Doc

[@steventwiddy3402]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson a weekly payment for the rest of their careers, I remember when I was 18 and worked as a mechanic helper for the summer it was mesmerizing to walk on that snap on truck, I bought a set of fluorescent orange screwdrivers and a set of flare nut wrenches just to be like the big guys but thankfully didn’t go way in debt 💸

[@dejonsmall9886]

Doc, great topic. I have the click type, 1/2 inch (pounds) and a 3/8 drive inch one that I borrowed from my brother and never returned (2 years ago). Before clicking comment, I ran out to the garage to check that the pressure settings were at zero...LOL

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I hope they were.....Doc

[@rykerolaoghaire8781]

Excellent video Doc! Thank you!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for tuning in Ryker....Doc

[@dlbaugh]

Did you ever assess the split beam torque wrenches? I wonder what you think of them.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

🤷‍♂️…..Doc

[@davidgou67]

Great instructional video. Thanks

[@lazaroibarra8464]

Take care of your tools, and they will take care of you. I don't know if you're a baseball fan. I'm. There was a player called Ishiro Sutzuky, (probably murder his name). Very good player. One time he struck out, he slammed his bat against the ground several times. He felt so bad afterwards that he wrote a letter to the bat manufacturer, apologizing, and promising the at it would not happen again. Thanks for the videos Sir. I'll be watching you now more than ever. I just purchased a 2014 eglide ultra limited. I need you now.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I liked your story in History. Ride safe on that Ultra and we will see you at the next video. BTW If you have questions and think it would make a good Video, Send them to my Email.....Doc

[@stevenpierce4359]

I just wish I could work on them

[@medcook57]

Good info Doc!!!!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you...Doc

[@richardlennards7823]

Good discussion and I still have my original ones. My question is do the wrench’s come out of calibration and if so how do you know and how do you recalibrate the wrench

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I know click and electronic torque wrenches can loose accuracy over time. I do not know how a person would test at home. Our Snap on tool truck has a machine that we put our tool on to check. If it is out by a certain percentage we send it to be recalibrated.....Doc

[@clownpocket]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson I thought there was a way you could hook them up to your beam wrenches at check the accuracy, since the beams never go out.

[@geraldwest3428]

Excellent informative tutorial, Doc Harley....thank you!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you Mr. West for watching....Doc

[@MrMcbuck48]

Sounds good but, how about calibration and how often ?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Once a year if possible by the manufacture that built the tool...Doc

[@MrMcbuck48]

👍

[@SuperThunder911]

Thanks Doc great video 💪

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you Victor...Doc

[@bradboustead1682]

I got a beam torque wrench from my Grandparents for Christmas in 1975.

[@t.s.racing]

I was mentored by 1 of the top Nascar engine builders in the country, and we used DIAL type torque wrenche on every engine. NO IF ANDS OR BUTS. That being said, the ICON version of the H-F torque wrenches, actually offer a very good alternative. Sad but true. T.S.RACING Here's a pro tip. When I build a Race Engine, I will first, "warm up" my torque wrench by a equivalent torque setting on a nut and bolt arrangement in a vice, several times before I use it in a Race Engine.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I see a winning team here....Doc

[@Old940]

Make a jig for you torque wenches and then you don't have to keep getting different sizes bolts and nuts.

[@CATmanATL22]

Great tip Doc . I hate to say and show my age Doc … lol but I have every type that you showed except the 90 deg. One ……

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

You have been here a few times around the sun....Doc

[@crockett11000]

Hey Doc, As a retired USAF aircraft mechanic, we had to have all our clicker's recertified, checked and recalibrated at a minimum of every 3 months!. And if you dropped or banged it hard it was immediately taken out of service to be recalibrated or scrapped!.. I bet you good money most wrencher's don't know and or don't have it done!!.

[@ellwoodgreiner6211]

What’s the best Battery for a 2008 HD Ultra Classic .

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

That’s a matter of opinion, budget, facts and experience. I work at a dealership. So I stand behind a Harley-Davidson Battery with a battery tender for long life and service….Doc

[@dilo777]

The great part about a beam torque wrench is they never need calibration....so a really good one is a lifetime tool

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I did not know this....Doc

[@markhowitt6422]

Well done, most importantly calibrate, calibrate, calibrate often. Worked on aircraft maintenance years ago & torque devices were good for 12 months period. Unless determined other wise. 🤬

[@Old940]

We were require to have ours certified calibrated every 90 days.

[@JCcanU]

all my Evo engines only time I use a Torque wrench is the head bolt .

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

You must have a lot of experience....Doc

[@JCcanU]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Been turning wrenches since I was 10 and had my first motorcycle , Every Job I have done I had to have tools . in the 90's I was thinking of going to the Tech school in AZ . See what come out of them . Im better off doing my own work .

[@howardemery1443]

i all ways heard take care of your tools and they will take care of you i also so heard a poor craftsman blames his tools thanks Doc have a great one

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Good words of advise....Doc

[@b2db.fisher]

Where do you go to get the torque wrench calibrated?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Ask the manufacture of your Torque Wrench on line....Doc

[@JCunningham21]

undoing it all the way means to the lowest setting in the range not until it stops unscrewing.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for adding your knowledge...Doc

[@IsaakTolekidis]

is there any good brands you recommend except snap-on

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

No sir....I try to buy American....Doc

[@tommyt2854]

CDI actually makes Snap On torque wrenches. I concur with Doc tho, buy quality American tools all around.

[@anthonygm85]

Beam and click type for me I just trust them the most,

[@justanotherviewer52]

Thanks Doc. Love my clickers.

[@dougfresh1341]

Good info... and tool envy.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for watching....Doc

[@TIMBHMAXX22]

hi, can you tell me what the real answer is for this question: if i put on slip on exhust, only slip ons no other modificationns of any kind. on my 2014 ultra limited will this void the warranty and/or extended warranty? thank you

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

If you put Harley-Davidson slip ons only your extended warrenty should be fine....Doc

[@Roadrash429]

Theres a federal statue, your warranty can not be voided for using after market parts, or by not using factory brand products. Look it up, and take it with you if anybody trys to tell you different. The only way your warranty can actually be voided is when it comes to emmisions. Its a epa thing. Dealers will not tell you that, because they lose money when you dont buy "their product". Also keep in mind, there's a reason people buy harleys, but typically replace with aftermarket parts. They want a quality product, and a lot of harleys stuff ain't it.

[@Old940]

Need to have torque wenches and all measuring equipment including air gages calibrated by a certified shop (PEMEL) every 90 days. Most of us that only use them at home and take great care of them once a year should do. Sorry to say not many every have their equipment calibrated, including some shops.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

A man speaking from experience.....Doc

[@garyskidmore1450]

What happened to your lapelle or lavalier microphone? Audio quality is not the same as previous videos. Sound is like you're talking down the hall not nearby. I'd use a wireless microphone and receiver to camera. And leave it exposed, not under thick clothing that muffles the high frequency of your voice. Sorry if I'm wrong.

[@d1mennis]

You certainly know what you're torqueing about!! LOL

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I caught that .....Doc

[@kennethanderson1685]

💕💕💕💕

[@okiemale1589]

😎👍

[@HillCountryCodger]

This video brought to you by Snap-On, find us here at www.snapon.com/

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Good humor. Many have posted alternatives....Doc

[@jimmyp6443]

Harley didn't know what a torque wrench was until the 1970's

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Jimmy Humor strikes again...Doc

[@thomasczyz1279]

Sound advice 😊 keep your tools clean…a mechanic with dirty tools and work station…tells ya what kinda mechanic he is.!!!!

[@rickvia8435]

If you cut your teeth on a Panhead mechanically, I can see why you know what you're doing.