Another goofy shop trick.
Lots of bolts on the Triumph are shrouded by the sheet metal and it is difficult to tighten them with a torque wrench. Their awkward locations make them hard to accurately tighten by hand, too. This is what I do. First, I break out the fish scale, an allen wrench that fits the bolt, and an open end/box end wrench that fits the allen wrench. These wrenches must be strong and of good quality.
Next, I figure out the torque needed on the bolt. This bolt is Grade 5, 5/16 inch diameter by 18 threads per inch, lubricated. The torque is 13 pounds-foot according to the chart. I also measure the wrench length between the center of the box end to the center of the open end. This distance is 3.5 inches.
Now, I put the allen wrench through the box end, stick the allen wrench in the bolt head, connect the chain to the open end, and attach the fish scale to the chain.
Last, I pull the fish scale to tighten the bolt. The chain is always at right angles to the open end/box end wrench.
The formula I use is this: desired torque in pounds-foot x 12 / wrench length in inches = pulling tension on fish scale, or 13 x 12 / 3.5 = 45 I pull the fish scale until it shows 45 pounds tension.
The long and bumpy ride to Bonneville loosens some bolts on the Triumph. I will use this method in the pits to make sure all are tight before I run.