Torqueing engine mount bolts.

[79XS11F]

As you guys may remember I was having an issue with the upper front engine to frame bracket mount bolts breaking before the proper torque values could be reached. These bolts are listed as needing 48 foot pounds.
With the front wheel on the bike the wheel itself is in the way of my torque wrench to the point that I can only attempt to torque those bolts in very small increments as compared to a full swing of the wrench. This is likely why the bolts are breaking? So how do you guys torque those bolts? Does the front wheel have to be removed to get proper access?
Rob

[Ken Talbot]

Rob, I just went out and had a look at Tsunami. I just can't find any engine mounting bolt and torque wrench combination that looks like it would be a problem?? Any chance you could snap a quick digital pic of what you're working on, with your wrench on it ready for action?

[79XS11F]

Hey Ken ... My torque wrench will only fit on these nuts when I put it through the forks as shown but there is no real free play there to swing the wrench. The only option i really have is to remove the wheel or reverse the bolts so the nuts are on the outside of the frame.



Rob

[79XS11F]

BUMP

[Ken Talbot]

Originally posted by 79XS11F
The only option i really have is to remove the wheel or reverse the bolts so the nuts are on the outside of the frame.

I think you've just answered your own question, and I do not mean removing the wheel. I'm pretty sure Tsunami was built with the nuts to the outside, but I'll recheck tonight to be sure. I think I may also know why you're having trouble with breaking bolts. I'm fairly certain that the 45 ft*lb torque is only for the larger mouinting bolts that go through the engine. The smaller bolts and nuts that attach the mount to the frame should be way less torque. Again, I'll check that out tonight too.

[79XS11F]

Thanks Ken

Thanks Ken. On all the micro-fesh I have viewed the nuts are on the inside and as you know I am trying to rebuild this particular bike to spec and to detail.
Your right about the torque value .. The factory manual does not list a value for the bracket to frame bolts. The front upper and lowers are listed at 48.5 foot pounds so I "guessed" that the bracket mount bolts would be the same but in hind sight there are 4 of them so they likely take less to do the same job. If I use the manual for a 12 MM bolt with 8 MM thread it calls for 14.6 foot pounds.
So I will fish through my hardware and change them out and torque them to 14.6 pounds and see if there is any improvement in the "buzz" I feel while accelerating.
Rob

[Ken Talbot]

That's right, Rob. I read the torque table to call for only 12.3 ft*lbs (under bracket and inner tube). A smaller torque wrench might even fit into that space when that's all the torque you need.

The bolts on Tsunami are in fact the same way yours are, with the nuts to the inside. With the appropriate, smaller torque wrench, there is lots of room:

[79XS11F]

Agreed .. I have a much smaller inch pound wrench that will fit in there at the same position you show in your PIC. Thanks again Ken.
Rob