Ensuring Motorcycle Safety by Using the Correct Tools
Thursday, September 6th, 2012The following is a guest post provided by ProTool Warehouse.
Using the correct tools helps ensure your bike is safe.
When discussing motorcycle safety, we usually only think about riding gear. There is another aspect of motorcycle safety that isn’t thought of as often though, and that is to make sure that you use the right tools when repairing your motorcycle. This is a very important part of motorcycle safety that when done correctly can help to prevent mechanical failures that could lead to an accident that could have easily been avoided. This article will touch on some of the most basic points to ensuring that you are using the correct tools to do the job.
Be Prepared for the Job Before Starting
To start, you want to make sure that your area is uncluttered and it helps to have the tools that you will need for the job set out beforehand. If you are unsure about which tools to use, you can always check with your repair manual, or find a guide online. Also, you will want to make sure that you have your motorcycle sitting safely upright, using a motorcycle wheel chock stand. If you don’t have one you can find them easily on the internet for under $200. Just make sure that you have the motorcycle locked firmly so as to avoid a tip-over when using force to remove a part or tightening and loosening nuts and bolts.
Use the Correct Sized Wrench
When using wrenches, make sure that the part of your engine that you will be working on is clean and free of oil. There have been many sore knuckles as a result of the wrench slipping off the bolt. And make sure that you always use the right size wrench that the job calls for. If it is a metric bolt head, it would be best not to substitute it with a standard sized wrench because it’s possible to strip the head of the bolt, leaving it looser than is required; not to mention that it would make the bolt harder to remove in the future.
The Benefits of Using a Torque
Speaking of tightening, it’s best to use a torque wrench when tightening nuts or bolts on your motorcycle. Your repair manual should give you the specifications of each nut and bolt. This is important because engine vibration can cause bolts to loosen if they aren’t tight enough to withstand the vibrations. If you can’t find the torque specifications in your manual, you can always call your local shop. They will be glad to help you.
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