Bicycle Mechanics - Installing a chainring guard?

I just bought this (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=26637) Truvativ chainring guard. I doesn't come with any instructions or anything and I'm really new to wrenching. My experience is limited to seats, handlebars and stems, and (very recently) overhauling pedals. My bike (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/fixies/09_sputnik_spec.html) has a FSA Vero single 46T crankset. Just looking at it I think I might need longer bolts, but I'm not sure. I don't really want to start this project until I have an idea of what to do! Can someone kinda walk me through what I need to do to install it? What tools do I need? Or, would you say this a little above my head and I should take it into my LBS? Thanks for any suggestions you might offer. :)

I just found a kinda vague "how-to" that ended in "Torque chainring bolts to manufacturer’s specifications." That sounds a bit over my head...

It means "tighten as tightly as the manufacturer wants you to tighten it." You can just loosen one of the bolts, tighten it back, noting how hard you have to turn it to get it back into the same position. Then take all the bolts off, put the guard on, making the bolts as tight as they were.

Well, that sounds pretty easy. Maybe I'll give it a shot!

I guess the confusing thing is they used the word "torque" as a verb. Now does it make sense?

It means "tighten as tightly as the manufacturer wants you to tighten it." You can just loosen one of the bolts, tighten it back, noting how hard you have to turn it to get it back into the same position. Then take all the bolts off, put the guard on, making the bolts as tight as they were.

That is not a reliable indicator of proper torque.

True, but she's going to have to either guess or have someone show her. Or she could look up the manufacturer's spec, which is either difficult or impossible to find.

Thanks, Tom! I put the guard on and it was much easier than all the literature made it sound. I had to guess at the torque, but I felt pretty confident about it. It turns out that I will need longer bolts and some washers as the bolts just barely meet the threads of the nuts and the chain lightly rubs the guard. Oh well, it was really fun to do this project on my own instead of turning to the LBS. I'll take it by the shop once all is said and done for them to look over my work.

Thanks, Tom! I put the guard on and it was much easier than all the literature made it sound. I had to guess at the torque, but I felt pretty confident about it. It turns out that I will need longer bolts and some washers as the bolts just barely meet the threads of the nuts and the chain lightly rubs the guard. Oh well, it was really fun to do this project on my own instead of turning to the LBS. I'll take it by the shop once all is said and done for them to look over my work.

I hope you greased those bolts before installation.

I hope you greased those bolts before installation.

I did. But it wouldn't matter if I didn't because, like I said, I need to go get some longer bolts and some washers. Those bolts will be in there for maybe two days while my bike sits in my kitchen. So, thanks?

I hope you greased those bolts before installation.

I recommend giving advice before our friend does the work, not after. When you give it after, it sounds more like criticism than advice.

Bingo, Tom. :)

I recommend giving advice before our friend does the work, not after. When you give it after, it sounds more like criticism than advice.

given operators track record, criticism is an improvement. Better than an outright insult at least.