Great XLFORUM thread with lots of pics on home made tools. ¹⁾http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=395586&highlight=tap))

Types:

Use:

• Apply (anti-seize compound or Locktite (or equivalent)) as necessary to the bolt threads before installing. Align each bolt chamfer with it's corresponding threaded hole and counter rotate the fastener to the tightening direction a few degrees until you feel the threads “jump”, that indicates the threads are aligned to start in sync. Start all of the fasteners in a component before you tighten any of them…not even hand tight. Any misalignment of the part can side load the last fastener enough to prevent it starting or promote cross threading. ²⁾ By hand, all bolts should run in rather easily. If not, there may still be trash/ debris caught up in the threading (which can alter you reaching proper torque values). Turn all bolts in sequence by hand until snugged. Locktite / anti seize may offer drag on the bolt(s) in which case you can use a socket without the wrench to turn the bolts to snug by hand. Do all the bolts the same way around your piece in a cross pattern to ensure evenness throughout. Find the torque specs for your application and divide that number by three. You now have three different torque specs. Use the cross pattern on all bolts with the first (lowest number torque, then around again, all bolts, with the second torque number, then around again, all bolts, with the final torque. Lastly, go back around with the final torque to make sure everything is even. When applying torque, always use slow even motions. Applying torque too fast leads to fooling the torque wrench to click before torque is actually reached (the science above my head). ³⁾ Article by Oldrump1 from the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1959533

• Your favorite brand of brake cleaner can be used to clean a host of bike parts. Just be careful not to get it on rubber and wiring.

• Denatured alcohol or D.O.T. 5 brake fluid. Do not contaminate it with mineral oil or solvents. ⁴⁾

• In lieu of having torque specs at hand, below are general torque specs for different fasteners. However, nothing takes place of manufacturer torque specs for your specific applications. The torque numbers reflect pressures the bolts can take which doesn't take into account the amount of clamp force for the piece(s) you are clamping.
• When using oiled fasteners, you should take into account the added pre-load from the oil before applying advertised torque to avoid shearing off the bolt head or cracking/ breaking the piece your working on. You can use the Wet Chart below to calculate a torque value with the added pre-load.

• Convert ft/lb to N*m by multiplying by 1.3558 ⁵⁾
• Fastener strength of SAE bolts can be determined by the bolt head grade markings. Unmarked bolt heads are usually mild steel. More grade markings indicate higher strength fasteners. For instance, grade 5 may have three hash marks from the center out to the edge, grade 7 may have five hash marks and grade 8 should have 6 hash marks.⁶⁾
• These are only generalized specs, see your FSM or instruction manual for specific torque values per application.

If bolt threads are lubricated with light oil or anti-seize compound, the torque required to achieve the proper bolt tension is reduced. Below are charts with the proper “wet” torque values for type of bolt used: All charts property of and used by permission from Allied Systems Company.

• Displacement: pi x (radius squared) x height (example: 4 inch bore, 4 inch stroke) = 3.14159 x (2 squared) x 4 = 50.265ci of displacement per cylinder
• Cubic Centimeters to Cubic Inches: cc ÷ (2.54 cubed) (example: 1200cc) = 1200 ÷ (2.54 cubed) = 73.23ci
• Cubic Inches to Cubic Centimeters: ci x (2.54 cubed) (example: 100ci) = 100 x (2.54 cubed) = 1638.7cc
• Horsepower: (torque x rpm) ÷ 5252 (example: 80 ft-lbs at 4000 rpm) = (80 x 4000) ÷ 5252 = 60.93hp
• Torque: (horsepower x 5252) / rpm (example: 100hp at 4000 rpm) = (100 x 5252) ÷ 4000 = 80 x 4000) / 5252 = 131 ft-lbs.

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