base cylinder nuts: which tool?

http://s1284.photobucket.com/albums/a56 ... e9df0a.jpg

Hi,
This two tools are the same size 1/4 but one is WW larger (i use to tight the base cylinder nuts) and the other not WW very smaller.
What means 1/4 without WW?
What tool do you use to torque and tighten the base cylinder nuts? open or ring?
What is the correct size of the tool?.
I use a 1/2 from USA a little bit machined, is a double/ring from Harley Davidson.
Thank you.
Ciao
Piero

I use a small 1/4 WW open end wrench and the larger one I forget what size, but also WW. That's if you have the early 750, I think the base nuts changed sometime in the 70's to UNF. I guess at the torque setting but it's hard to over do it with a 4" spanner.

pierodn said:

This two tools are the same size 1/4 but one is WW larger (i use to tight the base cylinder nuts) and the other not WW very smaller.
What means 1/4 without WW?

Click to expand...

The 1/4 marking on the smaller tool refers to the hexagon size "across flats" often known as AF or A/F.
This is a similar system to metric tools where, for instance, a 10mm spanner fits the 10mm hexagon of a 6mm nut or bolt.

1/4 WW (Whitworth) and other British Standard spanner markings refer to the actual bolt diameter, not the hexagon size.

http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/~psc/spanne ... Size_Table

For 750 barrel base mine take 3 different wrenches in two labeled sizes. 1/4W & 3/16W as mentioned but found the bent wrench 1/4W end fits some nuts well but won't fit over other 1/4W's at all so have to use another 1/4W straight wrench. My fasteners were so tight after trying to avoid a 6th major tear down for oil leaks, had to heat most the nuts to release their grip even with silvery anti-seize.

Piero,

As L.A.B. says Whitworth and AF are different sizes so a 1/2" whitworth is not the same as a 1/2" A.F. Although they are quite similar in physical size. If you intend to mess about with British bikes it is good to have both sets of spanners. The Commando series has a mixture of thread sizes which changed during the years of production. Early Triumphs use many BSC (British Standard Cycle) which confusingly need Whitworth spanners.

Ugh, my two '72's need Whitworth sockets and wrenches but also SAE and metric to fit everything encountered well enough it don't mess up the fastener. I have to use SAE 1/2" and 9/16" as much or more than the 1/4W or other W sizes. An impact screw driver should be used on the lowest case cheese head slot bolt, mostly to get off than torquing down. A torch does relieve some the extreme stress off tools and fasteners to break em free after their required multiple heated re-torques to stay put and oil tight. Likely have to make a few tools to lock up stuff to nip on, pry out or apart. This is beyond store bought crank sprocket, cam sprocket and crank pinion specialized pullers. Can't get far w/o a hammer and drift selection either.

I use a Motion Pro torque wrench adapter. It fits ANY wrench already in your tool box.