Author Topic: Tool buying Advice requred  (Read 2753 times)

Offline Eldrick

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Tool buying Advice requred
« on: May 14, 2022, 01:55:24 PM »
 I want to do more work on my 400f myself and I think I want a torque wrench and a carb synchronizing kit.
 
 I keep looking online and get overwhelmed with choice. The other issue is I don't really know which is best overall for this specific bike rather than ‘the best make’. No good having a best make torque if I can't perform most/all jobs on my bike and end up buying another one.
I also thought I wanted a single gauge, four into one, sync kit, I could be fooling myself though. I liked the idea that all four carbs were being tested on one gauge.

 So, if you can recommend a good torque wrench and carb synchronizing kit I can get started on being a shed mechanic and maybe even get a second (His and Hers) 400f.
 
1975 Honda CB400f - Red

Online Bryanj

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2022, 03:02:21 PM »
Decent name 3/8 drive torque wrench and sealey 4 gauge set which costs about £120 on ebay, single gauge sets will drive you crazy

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2022, 06:07:58 PM »
My trusty Britool 1/2" wrench was too big so I bought a 3/8" Draper. Good tool but the Imperial & Metric Scales are in Inch-Lbs or Newton Metres range is 10-80Nm. I had to do a conversion for all the settings in my manuals.
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Offline Eldrick

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2022, 06:47:55 PM »
My trusty Britool 1/2" wrench was too big so I bought a 3/8" Draper. Good tool but the Imperial & Metric Scales are in Inch-Lbs or Newton Metres range is 10-80Nm. I had to do a conversion for all the settings in my manuals.
Ha, see, I didn't even think about all that maths! Glad I asked before buying.
1975 Honda CB400f - Red

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2022, 07:32:03 PM »
Get a Britool 3/8 torque wrench if you can. That will cover 99.9% of the torques on your bike. Don't worry too much about vac sync gauges, you can set the slides very, very, very close by manual bench sync.
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

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http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline Eldrick

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2022, 09:07:44 PM »
Don't worry too much about vac sync gauges, you can set the slides very, very, very close by manual bench sync.

I may have just done that bit with 3.2mm feeler guage. I also think I can afford that wrench if it is the Britool AVT300A
« Last Edit: May 14, 2022, 09:10:59 PM by Eldrick »
1975 Honda CB400f - Red

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2022, 09:15:18 PM »
Don't worry too much about vac sync gauges, you can set the slides very, very, very close by manual bench sync.

I may have just done that bit with 3.2mm feeler guage. I also think I can afford that wrench if it is the Britool AVT300A

Not sure that model has a high enough range at 33Nm?
« Last Edit: May 14, 2022, 09:16:53 PM by McCabe-Thiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Online Bryanj

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2022, 09:21:59 PM »
3.2 is a bit big, better using a 1/16 drill bit shank preferably new so no damage

Online Rozabikes Tim

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2022, 08:14:22 AM »
Get a Britool 3/8 torque wrench if you can. That will cover 99.9% of the torques on your bike. Don't worry too much about vac sync gauges, you can set the slides very, very, very close by manual bench sync.
ok so what torque range do we need?
One day I'll have the time to restore it, not just talk and dream....

Online Bryanj

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2022, 08:29:14 AM »
If you want to torque every thing 8 ftlbs to 50 ftlbs, leave out the alternator, primary gear and clutch nut and 8 ftlbs to 20 ftlbs will do.
Those 3 are normaly done to BT.

Gauges are Sealey VS209 gone up to £150 cheapest on ebay, nearest thing to genuine Honda ive seen anywhere
« Last Edit: May 15, 2022, 08:33:01 AM by Bryanj »

Online Rozabikes Tim

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #10 on: May 15, 2022, 08:42:45 AM »
If you want to torque every thing 8 ftlbs to 50 ftlbs, leave out the alternator, primary gear and clutch nut and 8 ftlbs to 20 ftlbs will do.
Those 3 are normaly done to BT.

What's BT Bryan?
One day I'll have the time to restore it, not just talk and dream....

Offline SteveD CB500K0

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #11 on: May 15, 2022, 08:55:04 AM »
Bleedin’ Tight (?)


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Offline Eldrick

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #12 on: May 15, 2022, 09:04:44 AM »
3.2 is a bit big, better using a 1/16 drill bit shank preferably new so no damage
OK so about 1.5mm, I may have a dril bit, if not the guage will do it
1975 Honda CB400f - Red

Offline Eldrick

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #13 on: May 15, 2022, 09:08:08 AM »
If you want to torque every thing 8 ftlbs to 50 ftlbs, leave out the alternator, primary gear and clutch nut and 8 ftlbs to 20 ftlbs will do.
Those 3 are normaly done to BT.
I don't anticipate ever replacing pistons myself but I would be ok replacing gaskets in the head. I also would not be touching gear boxes, so with that in mind, what range may I need?
1975 Honda CB400f - Red

Online Laverda Dave

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Re: Tool buying Advice requred
« Reply #14 on: May 15, 2022, 09:20:51 AM »
Personally the torque wrench I use most is my Seeley 1/4“ as a) it came with a calibration certificate and b) the range is low enough for the 8ft/Lb for 6mm bolts (and there are plenty of those on the 400/4 engine). My 3/8 torque wrench starts at 10ft/Lb and is not accurate at 8ft/Lb, ask me how I discovered this! If you are going to strip a thread it will be a 6mm!
If you can afford both get a 1/4“ and a 3/8". If you go to one of the larger shows Seeley normally have their stand with some deals on (or try eBay).
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
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1982 Laverda 120 Jota

 

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