What Tools To Own???
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Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 466
Likes: 2
From: Canada
What Tools To Own???
I have read over the forums and I have the Fix My Hog DVD but I have to admit I am still not clear on what tools one should have in order to do small jobs on your bike. Some of them anyway...I am pretty clear on others i.e. box end or open end wreches but not others. So can some one sum it up for me in non machanic speak please...make out like I know nothing about tools and give it straight up.[sm=confused06.gif]. i.e. I get confused about which are allen wrenches, torx, key, hex keys etc. Sometime it seems as if there all the same tool just with a different name. Yes the manual is ordered... it as been now for 3 weeks or more[:@]. I am waiting for the manual before I do my fluid changes actually. I guess your answers could focus more on what screwdrivers,torx,allens,hexs and other odd tools I should have and not the everyday stuff....tools unigue to the Harley. You can see what bike I own from my sig.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 768
Likes: 1
From: sarasota, fl
RE: What Tools To Own???
good set of box and open end wrenches (I believe the only metric bolt on a harley is the battery-10mm) the ratcheting ones are very useful;set of allen wrenches (loose ones{long and short} and sockets); ditto for torx head; set of sockets; three sizes of pliers, incl. needlenose; suitable oil filter wrench; -- that should cover most minor maint. there will be plenty of good ideas coming from other members.
Sears has a decent motorcycle tool kit that is good to keep in the saddlebag.
A jack is very useful for maint. and cleaning plus you can move the scoot around easy in the garage when it's on the jack.
There is a good post in the DIY section on tools to travel with.
Not a tool but keep plenty of rags handy (old towels and diapers).
Sears has a decent motorcycle tool kit that is good to keep in the saddlebag.
A jack is very useful for maint. and cleaning plus you can move the scoot around easy in the garage when it's on the jack.
There is a good post in the DIY section on tools to travel with.
Not a tool but keep plenty of rags handy (old towels and diapers).
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
RE: What Tools To Own???
I personally believe that one can not own enough tools.
And a good tool will stay with you longer and cost you less than your dog or wife/girlfriend.
But that is JMHO. And don't tell my wife I said that.
Now deciding which ones to carry, that can be tough.
And a good tool will stay with you longer and cost you less than your dog or wife/girlfriend.
But that is JMHO. And don't tell my wife I said that.Now deciding which ones to carry, that can be tough.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 4
From: Columbus, OH
RE: What Tools To Own???
allen wrench, hexkey and key are the same thing which usually refers to an "L" shape wrench shown below. hexkeys are available in both torex which is a "star" pattern or in a 6 sided hex so called allen. Both are also available in screwdriver form and "T" handle and in socket form (shown below). Each have there various uses and you should get a set of both torex and allen in both hexkey and socket.
[IMG]local://upfiles/7366/267A66D6F3684C1FB61A23300F3FEC1A.jpg[/IMG]
hexkeys can be both torex & allen(hex)
[IMG]local://upfiles/7366/DD532D9110C34AE7A6FF57363E08672A.jpg[/IMG]
torex socket
[IMG]local://upfiles/7366/FACE61A1EFE747FDB983FF7C7F120933.jpg[/IMG]
allen(hex) socket
MOST IMPORTANTLY, BUY QUAILITY NOT QUANTITY.
[IMG]local://upfiles/7366/267A66D6F3684C1FB61A23300F3FEC1A.jpg[/IMG]
hexkeys can be both torex & allen(hex)
[IMG]local://upfiles/7366/DD532D9110C34AE7A6FF57363E08672A.jpg[/IMG]
torex socket
[IMG]local://upfiles/7366/FACE61A1EFE747FDB983FF7C7F120933.jpg[/IMG]
allen(hex) socket
MOST IMPORTANTLY, BUY QUAILITY NOT QUANTITY.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Northumberland UK
RE: What Tools To Own???
I am well through this exercise having spent the last year buying a bunch of tools specifically to work on my Road King Classic and Fatboy.
I cant deny that I love GOOD tools, Snap ON particularly, but hate their pricing, so most if not all have been bought successfully from Ebay, at sometimes very good prices. The trick is searching properly, one of Snap Ons companies used to make presentation sets of wrenches / socket sets /hex/torx etc ALL engraved Harley Davidson. They are excellent tools and I love to work with them. Also picked up a longer flex head socket wrench and a couple of torque wrenches which allowed me to change the front wheel on the Fatboy, something bigger than anything I had attempted before, but which turned out to be easy with the right tools AND the manual.
By the way you will need an 10mm 12 point socket to remove the brake caliper.
There is also Haynes manual covering all HD models using the Twin Cam engine which will give you an explanation and intro to the necessary tools, well worth having.
If you are going to do any work on the bike get the best tools you can afford, and ebay may help there, you wont regret it. Take your time and ENJOY it. it aint as difficult as it looks from the outside.
Good luck!
I cant deny that I love GOOD tools, Snap ON particularly, but hate their pricing, so most if not all have been bought successfully from Ebay, at sometimes very good prices. The trick is searching properly, one of Snap Ons companies used to make presentation sets of wrenches / socket sets /hex/torx etc ALL engraved Harley Davidson. They are excellent tools and I love to work with them. Also picked up a longer flex head socket wrench and a couple of torque wrenches which allowed me to change the front wheel on the Fatboy, something bigger than anything I had attempted before, but which turned out to be easy with the right tools AND the manual.
By the way you will need an 10mm 12 point socket to remove the brake caliper.
There is also Haynes manual covering all HD models using the Twin Cam engine which will give you an explanation and intro to the necessary tools, well worth having.
If you are going to do any work on the bike get the best tools you can afford, and ebay may help there, you wont regret it. Take your time and ENJOY it. it aint as difficult as it looks from the outside.
Good luck!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 768
Likes: 1
From: sarasota, fl
RE: What Tools To Own???
RKboy makes a very good point - start with easy work. Success will give you confidence to do more. You will find more help on the forum than you can imagine. And, there are shops and dealers to do the stuff you can't. A big plus is that if you are asked to do something at home, you can always say "I'd love to but I gotta do some work on the bike". There are limits to this approach though!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
RE: What Tools To Own???
you can never have enough tools.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 466
Likes: 2
From: Canada
RE: What Tools To Own???
Thanks...now this is what I'm talking about pictures and all, that makes things clear. I have already put a small list together now to purchse. I will start small and may never do more then a little maintenance on my own but I did want to purchse the right tools and not wase money on tools I would never use. Tools are not cheap but you do have to buy the best you can afford. I bought one torque wrench 1/2 dr 10-250 ft lbs. I now need the 3/8 dr in lb one I guess. Thanks again for your help so far.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 4
From: Columbus, OH
RE: What Tools To Own???
I forgot to mention, when you get a set of torex, make sure you get a No. 27 too. A lot of sets don't have that size and it is used on the Harley alot, like the primary covers and such. I know people on here say that craftsman tools are junk, but that's all I buy because of the price. Even if you tear them up, they have a lifetime replacement on handtools. If I did this for a living, I would get snap-on or mac tools, but for a shadetree mechanic, craftsman works for me. Buy the way you cannot possibly ever have too many tools.....ever.