What tools are needed?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 5, 2009 | 08:05 AM

DGDyna

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 463

Likes: 2

From: Buffalo, NY

What tools are needed?

What do I need to work on my bike? I’ll bring my new bike home in a couple weeks.

I was a certified mechanic out of the American Motorcycle Institute in Daytona Beach in 1976 so I’m pretty handy with a wrench. I have tools but the only SST’s (Special Service Tools) I have are for Kawasaki’s.

Besides a lift and a trickle charger, what do you guys recommend?

Mar 5, 2009 | 08:23 AM

skip3406

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 582

Likes: 28

From: North Eastern Pa.

Service manual for your bike is the first and best tool to start with. A good set of torx bit sockets and hex bit sockets both SAE & Metric just to start with.

Mar 5, 2009 | 08:31 AM

archergodwin

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 4,440

Likes: 148

From: Northwest

From what I've seen so far, there are very few 'special' tools required for working on your Harley. Some of them can be made at home.... but X2 on a great set of torx and hex head bits. Service manual, electrical manual and parts manual are also necessary additions. Other members or ebay is a great place to pic those up.

Mar 5, 2009 | 08:33 AM

nevil

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 9,281

Likes: 1,139

From: southeast PA

Definitely get the service manual, maybe the electrical manual, too. In case you don't have any, a torque wrench is important, but sounds like you already might have that.

Mar 5, 2009 | 09:37 AM

DGDyna

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 463

Likes: 2

From: Buffalo, NY

That's what I was about to ask. What's a good torque wrench? Mine is an old one with a long needle that extends back to a gauge at the handle. Is digital the way to go?

Torx and hex bits are a great idea. Back in the day it was all phillips and allen screws.

I've got all SnapOn tools including great set metric wrenchs and sockets but my standard ones are "ok". Any other suggestions?

I already have a service and electrical manual. Those were my first purchase.

Mar 5, 2009 | 10:09 AM

jmpancoast

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 3,438

Likes: 3

From: Chesterfield, VA

Here is a link to an older thread with LOTS of good tool recommendations:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...087-tools.html

Mar 5, 2009 | 10:14 AM

rayfinseats

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 646

Likes: 0

From:

I would wait til you need them. Then decide.

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

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

Mar 5, 2009 | 10:38 AM

JRK5892

Banned

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 19,481

Likes: 25

From: Chicago suburbs (Elgin/Schaumburg)

manual, good set of star keys, reg sockets, long allens, torque wrench... man i can keep going on and on... for basic work though, what is above will get you a long way... lots of loc tite... big thick towel for the tank and fenders

Mar 5, 2009 | 10:41 AM

#10

dFREDb

Club Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 2,095

Likes: 4

From: Ponchatoula Louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGDyna

Best torque wrench IMO is Snap-On, but they are very expensive. There's a guy on E-Bay who recalibrates and sells used Snap-Ons, but you can get one cheaper at Sears that will be adequate. Then you'll have money left to buy more tools