Measuring Instruments

Get It Right Every Time with XLMOTO Measuring Instruments

Measuring instruments come in all shapes and sizes. They are helpful for many jobs but are essential for working on motorcycles.

You could be doing something as simple as using a pressure gauge to check the tyres or using a micrometre to measure valve shim thickness. Either way, you need a measuring instrument to give you a consistent and accurate reading.

Measuring instruments for your workshop

Having established how important measuring instruments are, here’s a breakdown of XLMOTO’s impressive range and ways to use them.

Torque Wrench

When a motorcycle leaves the factory, almost every nut and bolt is tightened by a specific amount. A torque wrench allows you to duplicate these factory settings by measuring the amount of force applied to the fastener.

Feeler Gauge

A feeler gauge is a thin, flexible blade of a set width for measuring the gap between two parts. Typical usage for this instrument is checking spark plug gaps or manually adjustable intake and exhaust valves.

Wheel Balancer

A wheel balancer allows you to mount the wheel on a spindle and rotate it to find where to place balance weights. It is also ideal for checking whether a wheel is bent or buckled.

Pressure Gauge

Not only do tyres need the correct pressure. Air suspension and forks also require an accurate method of measuring air pressure.

Screw Gauge

Have you undone a bolt and wondered about its size? A screw gauge removes the guesswork with a series of templates and holes that read nut and bolt sizes.

Depth Gauge

You can use a depth gauge to measure the depth of any shallow hole on an engine, but the most common use is to measure tyre tread depth.

Vernier Calliper

This measuring instrument allows you to measure external, internal, or depth dimensions. Values are metric and imperial and read from a manual sliding scale or a digital screen.

Vacuum Gauge

If you run a motorcycle with carbs, a vacuum gauge attached to the inlet manifold will test and allow you to adjust the amount of air sucked into the combustion chamber.

Micrometre

This classic device takes accurate measurements of external dimensions. If you undertake major renovation work on an engine, a micrometre or vernier caliper will tell you if you’re still within factory tolerances.

Multimeter

This electronic device lets you know if a harness wire is live. It also tells you how many volts are running through it and is essential for tracking wiring problems.

Degree Wheel

As the name suggests, a degree wheel is a disc-shaped device marked off in degrees. This instrument is a must-have if you need to know when a piston is at the top dead centre.

Measuring Tape

Last but not least is the humble measuring tape. Generally available in 2-10 meter lengths, no workshop should be without one.

Whether it’s the sag in your motorcycle’s suspension or the journals on a crankshaft, XLMOTO’S range of measuring instruments gives consistent and accurate measurements every time.