Tools you should have

[coacha]

I have been getting more interested in saving my money by doing my own work on the bike. I have the factory manual for the '99, so I have how Kawa does their stuff in print, plus I have all the great stuff you all have posted.

What I would like to ask is what would you absolutely need to do most of the work needed on a bike? I have a lift, Idaho's adapter for it, some metric sockets, wrenches and T-handled Allen wrenches. What else would be good to have in the arsenal to do most of the routine stuff?

I appreciate your help in advance.

[cactusjack]

I used to be a mechanic and have acquired tools for years, so I have a pretty scary tool collection.

Some tools I think are must-haves for working on bikes:

1/4" drive metric sockets
3/8" drive metric sockets
3/8" drive metric hex sockets
3/8" drive torque wrench
1/4" and 3/8" drive extensions
straight and phillips head screwdrivers (good quality set)
set of metric combination wrenches (I like the Gearwrenches, open end on one end, ratcheting box end on the other)
Metric tap and die set

This would be a good starter kit, do like I did and just add to it over time.

[redeye]

On my recent service I HAD to have a 24mm socket to remove the axle nuts. A good 1/2" drive breaker bar may be necessary to loosen the bolts put on by the factory 800lb gorilla. You will need a torque wrench to reassemble the bike. Harbor Freight a good source for cheap tools.

I was a novice up to last week on maintaince. The job looks more complex that it really is. Valdez took me thru the replacement of both tires & did the swingarm & driveline at the same time. Like others my bike was void of ANY grease in these critical areas......Take your time & all will be well.

[macmac]

A simple test light that has no battery, which is about 5 bucks at walley world and looks like a old fashion ice pick with a wire ending in a alligator clip. Good for fast testing. A wine bottle cork to fit the point.

A digital mulitmeter, good for when the ice pick isn't enough for testing.

Metric allens mounted in sockets. I have Snap On, but carry stanley in 3/8 inch drive. The bad part about Stanley is the number of the allen size is hard to read. Otherwise they are a good basic tool, and cheaper.

This is in addition to ALL the above posts..

last for me I guess since this is electrical in nature is a GOOD set of stripper crimpers, which can be the devils own to figure out what good is. With that all I can say is don't waste money on a cheap set.. The cheap ones fail to crimp fer beans.

With that said i crimp to solder, so at times so long as a bad crimp stays put long enough to solder and slip the heat shrink up to set, then cheapos work..

If you figure road repairs in the good set come in handy, when there is no choice to solder.

I haven't seen a good set made since the mid 70's really, but for one which has jaws to strip, which grasp the wire and spred to pull the off the insulation.

A good set have a deep pointed crimper tooth, going into a deep swage so the dent formed is deep, and simply is a minor dent. When crimping always pull hard on the connector before you do another thing. No sence is crimping with a bad crimper to have the wire slip free in 5 seconds time. That leaves you thinking yer set, and you are farther from set than when you began, because that causes confusion.

Above 19mm buy individual sockets and wrenches as you need them. Maybe cheap brass calipers to measure metric big nuts and bolts so you can find out what size sockets and wrenches you really need.

[taranis]

Just off the top of my head, here's what I have in my "Road" tool kit.

8mm-15mm 3/8" allen sockets
11-18mm 1/2" socket set
Ratchets and extenders for both sets
A test light
Needle nose pliers
16 gauge wire
4"x4" square of aluminum foil
electrical tape
Set of replacement fuses
wire cutters
Channel lock pliers
5mm -12 mm combo wrenches
Wipin' rag
straight and phillips screwdrivers

For the garage:

Air Compressor w/tire pressure gauges
Bike scissor lift
Strap oil filter wrench
Larger metric sockets (over 14mm) and breaker bar
Digital Multimeter

This list helps me do about 90% of the routine maintenance I need done. I don't yet have the tools or equipment to remove the wheels, but they're on my short list. Everything else is easily accomplished.

[waterman]

Agree with CJ on the torque wrench. Need that for proper torque on many nuts and bolts. Another one is an air ratchet. Use that when I am taking things apart. Saves alot of wrist action on some long winded bolts.

[radco]

AGREE 110% on the torque wrench.. I found the value of a torque wrench when I started riding Mountain Bike,, TONs of bumps to losen things LOL
ALSO all the other tools mentioned,, BUT will add the GEAR Wrench or Sears Ratch wrench that have a swivel head,, YOU can bend them to any angle,,,,GREAT for the bike and in my travel kit.. A inspection Mirror on a extendable rod... a CAN of ANTI SEIZE.. Used on all nuts and bolts that you remove..a can of RED Loctite and Blue Lock tight..,Rich

[coacha]

Looked through your additions guys and my box...have:

multimeter (don't know beans on how to use it but my brother got it for me, he's former mechanic)
stick electrical tester (the ice pick, do know how to use it)
have all kinds of screw drivers, Phillips and straight
some needle nose pliers (good quality ones)
wire strippers (probably one crappy and one good one)
air compressor
channel locks (different sizes)
crescent wrenches (different sizes)
strap oil wrench
1/4" and 3/8" socket set (Husky from Home Depot)
4mm through 12mm wrenches

So it looks like I have most of the stuff you suggest. I was thinking of getting the Allen wrench sockets and an air wrench too.

If you think of anything else, just post here. I appreciate the help. You guys are the mechanics and I am the rookie. I've done some routine stuff (oil and gear lube changes and some electrical) but I don't want to pay $$$ for some of the maintainance that I know is forthcoming.

[Todd]

ViceGrips, Duct Tape, WD-40, a butter knife for slotted screws, and a sharp knife for phillips heads and for stripping wire...............errr...anything else is just showin' off.... LOL


seriously, you guys have done a good job for the basics.

[coacha]

I forgot these essentials:

Cork screw
Bottle opener

Although other things in the box can be used for these purposes, need to have proper tools for every job.

[dogdoc]

And dont forget the flask filled with JD, and your trusty Ruger judge. There in mine. :-)

[macmac]

if you get a air impact wrench Never ever ever install with it, never ever, not once! It is for only removal ONLY!

I have 2 heavy duty 1/2 in drive guns 2 3/8" ratchets a 3/8" butter fly, and a 1/4" drive ratchet, but I never use these on bikes.. mainy because the hose is a royal pain, and a right wrench and a breaker bar do it.

Then I have 3 torque wrenchs the click type one is inch pounds.

[Blue Rebel]

I'm pretty well set for tools, with the exception of the air compressor and bike lift. Seen a MC lift at Autozone for $99.

[Blue Rebel]

And I agree with the flask filled with JD. Definetly a must have.

[coacha]

Flask of JD on order. Ruger may be also...been thinking along those lines lately.