Tech Questions & Answers | Shop Talk
I was recently at Advanced Auto to pick up my favorite oil, and could only find oil designated SM. I thought it must be for the newer turbo engines. Wrong. I checked every jug and found the same thing, 'SM'. I asked the counter guy about it and he had no idea, but informed me that they had Four-cycle Motorcycle Oil in its own aisle. Sure enough, same 10w40, same everything except this had the Sg, Sf, Sc, ratings. Oh yeah-and at twice the price Actually, by the time I got around to answering this letter in print the SM designation had been superseded by the new SN-designated oil, which is purported to work somewhat better with ethanol laced fuels and turbocharged engines than the previous SM grade oils. But no matter, the SM oil is backwards-compatible, as is SN, and should work just fine in your motorcycle, although I'd feel more comfortable if I knew what kind of bike you were riding! I have been riding for four years and finally decided to begin doing basic maintenance on my bike. I own a 2000 Yamaha V-Star 650 and recently did a valve adjustment. I went exactly by the service manual but ran into some trouble. When I was putting my tappet covers back on two of the bolts stripped the threads in the head. What really confuses me is that I torqued them to the exact spec the manual calls for. What's worse is that all other bolts did just fine when I did that. So am I doing something wrong? Is there a magic mechanic's trick to making this work? Now I have to remove the engine to put a Helicoil kit in the two stripped holes. Why your threads stripped, I can't tell you, at least not without examining the threads or knowing what procedure you used when you torqued. If I had to guess, I'd say that the two bolts were most likely overtightened by the last person that worked on the bike. This damaged the threads in the head, so when you tightened the bolts to their specified torque, they literally pulled the threads out of their hole. I'd also suggest that few experienced mechanics would have used a torque wrench to tighten those bolts.
Spoke Torque Wrench - News

I'd also suggest that few experienced mechanics would have used a torque wrench to tighten those bolts. I'm not saying using one was bad, but most guys that twist bolts for a living have had similar experiences, and over the years have learned that
From its deep-blue custom paint to a modified engine that produces more torque than some trailer-hauling medium-duty trucks, the B7 uses every trick at BMW and Alpina's command to overwhelm you with luxury and power. Modified by Alpina, a band of
Spoke Torque Wrench
Bicycle and motorcycle repair experts and those who work with very old automotive will know what a spoke torque wrench is. These specialty tools allow the mechanic to accurately tighten the spokes around a wheel so that precise tension is held around the circumference.
Most spoke torque wrenches come in a set with a common 6-point spline drive head and 4 or more Japanese and OE head sizes for various types of wheels. Automotive sets will have specific sizes for old-style wheels and some vintage or after-market motorcycle sets will be found with specific sizes for older motorcycle wheels as well.
Most of these spoke torque wrenches are either dial-handle type or double-bar tension types. The first is the more common modern setup, with the handle of the wrench being "dialed" into a specific torque setting (pounds) and automatically releasing the head when that desired torque is reached while turning.
The double-bar tension type is an older variety relying on the tension of a spring steel bar to accurately measure the amount of torque, as shown on a gauge near the handle. The mechanic must watch the gauge and stop wrenching when the desired pounds of torque are met.
In either case, in competent hands, these wrenches can dynamically change the handling, ride characteristics, and durability of a wheel by adjusting the tension pulling it inward. Most spoke torque wrenches can adjust from 5-60 pounds, though many go to enarly double this.
For building, restoring, or truing wheels, a mechanic must have a spoke torque wrench set.
Common bicycle bit sizes are 6.1, 6.3, 6.6, 6.8, and 6.9mm while most automotive and motorcycle sets come in SAE sizes ranging from 1/8" to 1/2".
Spoke Torque Wrench - Bookshelf
101 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam Performance Projects
Alternatively, you can place a spoke wrench or better yet a spoke torque wrench ... Give the spoke a 1/4 turn, or using a spoke torque wrench, tighten it to ...How to Restore Your Motorcycle, Second Edition
If I've already got the new one in hand, I'll usually fire up the smoke wrench to remove it. New races must be driven in squarely and firmly seated in the ...Motorcross and Off-Road Motorcycle Performance Handbook
A new tool hit the market in 1999, a spoke torque wrench. lt's a good tool for guys who have difficulty judging spoke tension. However if the spoke threads ...Motocross & off-road, performance handbook
RIGHT AND WRONG TOOLS Tools such as vise gtips and adjusrable wrenches are the wtong tools to ... A new tool hit the market in 1999 — a spoke torque wrench. ...Motocross and Off-Road Motorcycle Setup Guide
A Fasst Company spoke torque wrench takes the guesswork out of wheel and spoke maintenance. Don't try to do it by feel and sound. Instead, just tighten the ...Daily Article Directory
Excel Adjustable Spoke Torque Wrench
Unlike other spoke torque wrenches, Excel's Torque Wrench is easily adjustable with a ... Excel's Torque Wrench Kit comes with 5 heads in the most common sizes, ...
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Spoke Wrench
In fact, the spoke wrench utilizes the exact same heads that our torque wrenches use. ... Utilizes the same heads as Fasst Company's spoke torque wrenches. ...
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Excel spoke wrench - Find the largest selection of excel spoke wrench on sale. Shop by ... Excel Spoke Torque Wrench Set Accurately build and maintain your wheels Allows you to ...
Spoke Wrench at Motorcycle Superstore
Rowe USA Spoke Wrench Fits six spoke nipple sizes Jaws are numbered and stepped ... Excel Spoke Torque Wrench Set Accurately build and maintain your wheels Allows you to ...