Tools?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Like a lot of guys here, I have been wrenching for years and have a ton of tools. I bought a set of 3/8" drive torq bits from Sears and use them on major stuff. But, I have the same Windzone kit you have and it sits in the tool bag on my front forks and is there whenever I ride. It has enough tools to take care of most on the road emergencies, which is what it was designed for. I also added a mini mag flashlight and a red rag.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Here is something one of my 'ol ridin buddys from Nj taught me. Get a tool bag. Install on bike. When you do maint on your bike, only use what's in the tool bag. If you use a new tool, add it to the kit. Over time, you will accumulate a kit that should allow you to fix most problems while on the road.
A good SAE socket set, including torx head sockets, needlenose pliers, channel locks or pair of dikes, flathead and phillips head screw driver. Maybe a good quality crescent wrench. Also, a good set of allen keys.
A good SAE socket set, including torx head sockets, needlenose pliers, channel locks or pair of dikes, flathead and phillips head screw driver. Maybe a good quality crescent wrench. Also, a good set of allen keys.
Thanks to all
Again appreciate all the tool advice.
I installed the rider peg mounts and pegs today. I did notice some difference between the Snap-on tools I borrowed from a mechanic and the Craftsman torx bits I bought. The Snap-on Torx's just a little taller and all around beefier looking. That said because of that the Snap-on bit, would not fit under the drive belt to torque down the peg mounts on the left side of the bike. The Craftsman fit. As some one on this thread already noted, if I was working on something everyday, I would buy the Snap-on, for most uses the Craftsman are okay.
Side note, Harley recommends removing the rear wheel to install the side mount pegs for a good reason. While it can be done without, (I did it). I'm don't recommend trying it yourself without an experienced mechanic around to help. I had to replace one bolt on the front of the drive belt guard. We had to use a chisel/hammer to loosen it. No amount of PB blaster, tapping the fastener was going to make that happen.
It was $100 cheaper than getting it done at Harley. Now to find a dealer who will mail me a replacement torx bolt.
I installed the rider peg mounts and pegs today. I did notice some difference between the Snap-on tools I borrowed from a mechanic and the Craftsman torx bits I bought. The Snap-on Torx's just a little taller and all around beefier looking. That said because of that the Snap-on bit, would not fit under the drive belt to torque down the peg mounts on the left side of the bike. The Craftsman fit. As some one on this thread already noted, if I was working on something everyday, I would buy the Snap-on, for most uses the Craftsman are okay.
Side note, Harley recommends removing the rear wheel to install the side mount pegs for a good reason. While it can be done without, (I did it). I'm don't recommend trying it yourself without an experienced mechanic around to help. I had to replace one bolt on the front of the drive belt guard. We had to use a chisel/hammer to loosen it. No amount of PB blaster, tapping the fastener was going to make that happen.
It was $100 cheaper than getting it done at Harley. Now to find a dealer who will mail me a replacement torx bolt.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 992
Likes: 1
From: Mechanicsburg, PA
Again appreciate all the tool advice.
I installed the rider peg mounts and pegs today. I did notice some difference between the Snap-on tools I borrowed from a mechanic and the Craftsman torx bits I bought. The Snap-on Torx's just a little taller and all around beefier looking. That said because of that the Snap-on bit, would not fit under the drive belt to torque down the peg mounts on the left side of the bike. The Craftsman fit. As some one on this thread already noted, if I was working on something everyday, I would buy the Snap-on, for most uses the Craftsman are okay.
Side note, Harley recommends removing the rear wheel to install the side mount pegs for a good reason. While it can be done without, (I did it). I'm don't recommend trying it yourself without an experienced mechanic around to help. I had to replace one bolt on the front of the drive belt guard. We had to use a chisel/hammer to loosen it. No amount of PB blaster, tapping the fastener was going to make that happen.
It was $100 cheaper than getting it done at Harley. Now to find a dealer who will mail me a replacement torx bolt.
I installed the rider peg mounts and pegs today. I did notice some difference between the Snap-on tools I borrowed from a mechanic and the Craftsman torx bits I bought. The Snap-on Torx's just a little taller and all around beefier looking. That said because of that the Snap-on bit, would not fit under the drive belt to torque down the peg mounts on the left side of the bike. The Craftsman fit. As some one on this thread already noted, if I was working on something everyday, I would buy the Snap-on, for most uses the Craftsman are okay.
Side note, Harley recommends removing the rear wheel to install the side mount pegs for a good reason. While it can be done without, (I did it). I'm don't recommend trying it yourself without an experienced mechanic around to help. I had to replace one bolt on the front of the drive belt guard. We had to use a chisel/hammer to loosen it. No amount of PB blaster, tapping the fastener was going to make that happen.
It was $100 cheaper than getting it done at Harley. Now to find a dealer who will mail me a replacement torx bolt.
I hear ya on the Snap-On vs. Craftsman thing. I was the one who said that originally, and yesterday was a great example on my end of the same issue. I was helping a friend do a timing belt on his Prelude and on one particular bolt my Snap-On socket would not fit, but a Craftsman did. It was just a bit shorter which is what I needed. Funny too, because unless you do a particular kind of car every day you never remember what you need.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 8
From: Northern New York
When I was still active duty (Coast Guard), I had an a**hole Engineering Officer on one of the cutters I was on. Hated the guy. But he had a saying that I've used to this day - "Turn a page before you turn a wrench".
Regarding the Snap-On vs Craftsman tool conversation, I find often where one brand tool is better suited to a job than the other brand (most of my tools are Craftsman, but I do have a few Snap-On's). As a matter of fact I was trying to loosen an Allen screw on my points cover and was starting to strip it using a brand name Allen wrench. I thought I was going to have to drill it out. Just for the heck of it, I tried an el-cheapo t-handled wrench that I got at Harbor Freight (not my normal tool store) and it fit like a glove and the screw came right out.
Dave
Regarding the Snap-On vs Craftsman tool conversation, I find often where one brand tool is better suited to a job than the other brand (most of my tools are Craftsman, but I do have a few Snap-On's). As a matter of fact I was trying to loosen an Allen screw on my points cover and was starting to strip it using a brand name Allen wrench. I thought I was going to have to drill it out. Just for the heck of it, I tried an el-cheapo t-handled wrench that I got at Harbor Freight (not my normal tool store) and it fit like a glove and the screw came right out.
Dave
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 2
You can get a Harley Snap On set with 7 SAE sockets, extender, and rachet for $20 on eBay. Be patient and don't pay over $20. The Snap On Allen and Torx drivers cost much more.
I'm not sure if the Craftsman Torx set includes a T27, which you will definitely need.
BigLow
I'm not sure if the Craftsman Torx set includes a T27, which you will definitely need.
BigLow
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 11
From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
Don't forget a very important tool...
...that being a sturdy jack/lift. You'll never wanna wash your bike again without one, let alone wrench on it. I've heard lotsa folks here say they're happy with one of the Craftsman lifts, even a Harbor Freight. I found a NIB Pit-Bull lift on Craigslist for $300. J&S is another hi-end lift. If you spring for a Pit-Bull, go with the Dyna Series lift; it's made to clear the Dyna's low-hanging engine case, and will also work with a buddy's Sporty, Softail, or Touring without adapters. My $0.02.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 3
From: Parts Unkown
i piece and parted my kit together from what works and what i needed. start with the tools you need to do simple maint. then build from there. example torque wrenches, odd size sockets, scribes etc. just put it all in small tool pouch along with elec tape, fuses, zipties etc. good luck.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Almost done
Found an Indy in downtown Seoul to day. He had a used bolt and washer. Place is called Sims Harley. He has a very well equipped workshop. They gave me the the bolt. Going back to have the sidemounts installed on Saturday. I could do it myself, but I did it on my Sportster and without a jack or something to raise the fender up, there is not much clearance there, and the turn signal wires get in the way. He will install them for $18 bucks so not worth the skin I scraped off doing it on my Sporty. Someone gave me an almost new luggage rack and sissy bar with pad, so will be ready to take the wife for a ride.