SuzukiSavage.com - A polemic (and a plea)

12Bravo

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Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial
Reply #30 - 07/21/17 at 13:50:57

As a machinist/tool and die maker, I always convert fractions to decimal numbers. I've had to make plenty of parts for European machines (metric) using SAE (imperial) machines. I just measure them with my SAE micrometers and make the parts.

When I was stationed in Germany, it was always fun getting new/refilled gas tanks for welding and making sure we had the proper adapters on hand. We never knew if the tanks we were getting had SAE, metric, or British pipe threads.

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Armen

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Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial
Reply #31 - 07/21/17 at 14:02:24

It gets wonkier. Late model Harleys have a mix of metric and standard. Usually the fasteners you use most have Imperial wrench sizes. However, some have metric threads!
Started out in a bicycle shop. So, almost everything was metric. Although there were a few oddball threads such as freewheels that were from another era.
Then worked on metric motorcycles.
Then worked on scenery. Most of which was made here, and had Imperial size stuff.
When we get a set from across the pond, the mouth-breathers can't understand why they can't get SAE hardware to work!
Have to say, 'Foot Pounds' is more intuitive than newton-meters. Easy to imagine a pound of weight on the end of a 1 foot long wrench.
Having to deal with both is a good way to keep the mind sharp. Have to say, trying to decide if a 37/64 drill bit is larger than a 9/16" is a bit annoying...

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IslandRoad

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Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial
Reply #32 - 07/21/17 at 15:41:48

Armen wrote on 07/21/17 at 14:02:24:

... Have to say, 'Foot Pounds' is more intuitive than newton-meters. Easy to imagine a pound of weight on the end of a 1 foot long wrench.

When I worked as a chemical engraver we used to do a lot of sandblasting. We worked in kPa (kilopascals) for pressure. Most of the gauges had kPa and PSI readings. Some times our directions would be given to us in PSI ... not good to confuse the two when sandblasting around the part-lines of injection molds! Shocked

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« Last Edit: 07/21/17 at 19:16:38 by IslandRoad »

S40, 2014, Dyna, Raptor, 52.5/152.5, spacer mod, sea level, cat-eye LED tail light, bullet style halogen turn signals, 'Superbars' with custom 40mm risers, modified stock seat, Metzeler tyres.

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jcstokes Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com is very useful Posts: 2119 Mauku New Zealand Gender:	Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial Reply #33 - 07/21/17 at 17:48:35 Trust the bloody Poms, Whitworth, BSF, BA, an association of whatsits, BSP, forgotten that one and CYCLE, I don't know about that, but it did exist.
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Armen

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Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial
Reply #34 - 07/22/17 at 04:11:31

My '75 850 Norton had BSF, BSW, UNF, UNC, CEI, BA, and probably a metric bolt on the battery terminal.
In the '70s the Brit bikes were moving away from the Brit threads. So, the right side engine cover had 14x26TPI (Brit) screws, and the left side cover had 1/4x20 (SAE).
IIRC, when you ordered a new casting from Triumph in the late 70's, it would come with SAE thread pitch holes, even if the original had Brit threads.
As far as threads, metric has it all over Imperial. If for no other reason than it is so easy to figure out what tap drill to use (just subtract the thread pitch from the bolt diameter).

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LANCER

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Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial
Reply #35 - 07/23/17 at 14:49:51

verslagen1 wrote on 07/19/17 at 14:08:04:

Papa Bear wrote on 07/19/17 at 13:37:25:

I have a good set of BSW tools for sale from my 1965 BSA Lightning Rocket

I ought to put you in touch with my brother... he's restored my dad's BSA Gold Star powered side hack.
http://www.savageriders.com/verslagen/images/dads86.jpg
http://www.savageriders.com/verslagen/SideCarRalley/dad&pat-ascot-tt.jpg

I've got a feeling that the front brake system is not quite stock.

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28780 L.A. California Gender:	Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial Reply #36 - 07/23/17 at 17:25:30 LANCER wrote on 07/23/17 at 14:49:51: I've got a feeling that the front brake system is not quite stock. The forks are shortened HD as are the wheels, bendix master. didn't hear where the disks and calipers came from.
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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 17827 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial Reply #37 - 07/24/17 at 09:16:18 Just in case you wanted to know.....I have done the math to make the conversion. 60 miles per hour is the same as 161,280 furlongs per fortnight!
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IslandRoad Serious Thumper Offline It doesn't vibrate, it purrs! Posts: 1147 The Kiewa Valley, Australia Gender:	Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial Reply #38 - 07/24/17 at 16:47:28 I wonder how many people actually know what a fortnight is?
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ohiomoto Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2697 WTF is JOG?	Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial Reply #39 - 07/26/17 at 08:26:44 fourteen nights
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IslandRoad Serious Thumper Offline It doesn't vibrate, it purrs! Posts: 1147 The Kiewa Valley, Australia Gender:	Re: A polemic (and a plea) - metric v imperial Reply #40 - 07/26/17 at 14:29:50 ohiomoto wrote on 07/26/17 at 08:26:44: fourteen nights Well played, sir
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