head stem tightening without torque wrench
 

I bought a torque wrench, but do not have the adapter that fits over the nut of the head stem. The question is, what is the best way to know the correct amount of tightening when using a punch and hammer?

You can grind some slots into a socket to make the special tool if you don't want to buy one. Or just do it by "feel", which works well enough.

Yip..try it by feel with a hammer and punch. Put it up on a centre stand to take the weight off the bearing and the handlebar should just swing nicely from left to right after a good nudge. If it takes too much of a nudge and it stops then it'll be too tight.

:)


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I have done it by feel, just not confident enough to put forks, wheel and handle bars back together to test if there is any play. I would rather know that I have done it correctly before putting everything back.

Put forks in first then give it a slight nip ust the length of the forks to test for play once the play has go e and the weight of the front wheel should make it fall full lock either way aslong as it does this and therea no play then lock it off and off you go dont o er tighten and crush them i did mine all in once piece with just the bars and light removed

thanks everyone, going to try bikemad's method.