Standard to metric

[NewJack]

So even the simplest things are pretty dang hard with the standard tool kit I've been using on the metric bike. Would any of you suggest just buying a whole new one? Have any of you used a standard on a metric bike?

[markk53]

If you mean inch sizing, that's a fast way to ruin bolts and nuts. Go get a set of decent metric wrenches and sockets. You don't need 16 and 18 though, they're seldom if ever used on motorcycles. I've only ever used an 18 on the shock nuts on my old Plymouth minivan, years ago.

If you mean the standard tool kit in the bike... same answer. Get the tools.

And while you're at it, get a 3/8 drive inch/lb torque wrench and use it on smaller fasteners like fork end nuts/bolts and handlebar bolts... the stuff people frequently overtighten and snap. A low priced beam type (pointer on a scale) will do the job, if you want to spend more for a click type have at it. The beam wrench is just more tolerant of things like dropping it and such, the properties of the steel won't change so it won't go out of calibration (the steel beam flexes so much for every pound of torque applied). Only problem is it's a bit hard to read in some positions, but a guy on another forum recommended putting a mark on it with a grease pencil on the back side of the scale at the point where the reading is, something that can be wiped off. Great idea. I've used the same beam wrench for about 30 years now.

If you want, you could do a 1/2" torque wrench and the sockets you would need for the axles too. I don't use a torque wrench on the axles on my bikes, but some do. I learned that the axle nuts, when torqued, are about as tight as I can tighten them with my breaker bar by hand, one hand.

Oh, by the way, the "ruining bolts and nuts" thing... I know by experience both on bicycles with metric fasteners and my first year with my first bike back in 1971. I also finally learned to go buy new fasteners when one is screwed up too.

[Badlands-4-2]

With so many things now using metric sizing, get yourself some tools. If not for the bike, you will use it for something else. Using standard sizes on metric bolts will lead to busted knuckles and stipped bolts. Get yourself a good set of ratchets and allen wrenches. You will be happy with the decisions.

[DoktorJazz]

So even the simplest things are pretty dang hard with the standard tool kit I've been using on the metric bike. Would any of you suggest just buying a whole new one? Have any of you used a standard on a metric bike?

Absolutely YES! Get the right tools. Even if it's sub-par harbor freight stuff at first. As others have said, what you're doing is the best way to ruin fasteners. And trying to use vice grips or Easy Outs to get ruined fasteners is NOT fun (I know from experience)

[joncallihan]

Absolutely YES! Get the right tools. Even if it's sub-par harbor freight stuff at first. As others have said, what you're doing is the best way to ruin fasteners. And trying to use vice grips or Easy Outs to get ruined fasteners is NOT fun (I know from experience)

Oh Doc -- Harbor Freight the JC Witney of tools. :thumbsdown:

A pretty good set of Craftsman will be pretty inexpensive and a magnitude better than anything from HF.

Jon

[NewJack]

Does righty tighty, lefty loosie still apply to japanese/chinese bikes? I don't want to give it much more muscle because I'm afraid I might break something. Maybe I'm just being a pansy to the rusty old bolts. I bought my self a complete set of metric tools from McGuckins today. MasterMechanic if anybody has any gripes with them the feel I should be let in on. Other than that I'm stripping the bike to peices today and cleaning her up.

[joncallihan]

The only time lefty tighty applies is some old Chrysler wheel lugs.

You will never buy anything bad from McGuckins. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Jon

[KyleAH]

The only time lefty tighty applies is some old Chrysler wheel lugs.

You will never buy anything bad from McGuckins. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Jon

Sometimes lefty tighty applies in certain situations. Clutch adjustment screws come to mind.

If you are having a hard time with some nuts and bolts shoot some WD-40 on them and let them sit for a while. Also if some screws are particularly stuck, do not twist so hard as to strip them. I had this issue yesterday and although I was very impatient to get the screws out, I went and borrowed a friends impact driver (still need to buy my own...) and the screws came out without stripping. VERY GOOD INVESTMENT if you are working on bikes with phillips head screws.

Other than that... Bravo on buying a set of metrics. I stole a cheap mechanics tool set from my dad a couple years back and I have been using that ever since. The only time something went wrong is when I tried to use a socket on my air wrench... it completely busted the socket...

[markk53]

The only time lefty tighty applies is some old Chrysler wheel lugs.

You will never buy anything bad from McGuckins. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Jon

And left side Yamaha mirrors.

[primalmu]

I've been quite happy with the tools I've gotten from Harbor Freight. The trick is not to get the cheapest one. I've got two sets of these (1/4" drive and 3/8" drive) and they're very nice.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93339

[NewJack]

Mine was 30 bucks but it came with EVERY tool I think I could need in metric and inch sizing. I'm pretty stoked about my buy. Thanks for the heads up guys!

[point]

I was a mechanic in the 70s when we changed officially to metric in Canada. The govt gave a tax rebate to buy metric tools. You need both imperial and metric. Tools these days are not expensive. For a bike, a set of allan keys, sockets and wrenches can be bought for less than 50 bucks. Make the investment or it will cost you more grief.