Please tell me more about these tools (or a website link) When adjusting the belt tension I am always worried about wheel alignment. I do it by eye, but that is hit-and-miss.

Cheers

KC

 

Try this weblink, http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

Although not harley specific there's still a bunch of useful stuff you can use.

 

Must have loc-tite,duct tape, and bailing wire!

 

Another tool worth considering if you are going to do your own servicing is the Scavenger total oil change system. I just received mine and used it for the first time today. In a nutshell, what it does is ensure that there is no old oil left in the engine to contaminate the new oil. It works as advertised, and it is easy to use.

See: http://www.roguechopper.com/

Cheers

KC

 

When buying torx bits for yor Harley be sure and get torx plus bits.They fit a lot better and could save you some problems down the road.Also be aware some bolts are metric.

 

Hex-Pro and Star-Pro kits have worked well for me so far.

http://www.wsdistributors.com/

 

Aside from good hand tools and a lift, I find the following indispensable:

A mechanic's stool. I have a Craftsman one with wheels and a tool tray underneath. Not very expensive and a great way to sit and work around your bike while being mobile at the same time.

A flat top tool cart with wheels. I have one made of pvc pipes with a plastic tray and a drawer. This allows me to set an array of tools and products that I use and I can wheel it around my bike to keep things in reach as apposed to having to walk over to a stationary tool box or work bench.

An air compressor. This does not have to be huge or expensive. I have a craftsman 33 gal 1.6 HP that is all electric. Although I do not use air tools on my bike, I use it to keep my tires properly inflated and for such things as blowing certain parts clean or dry.

Some old but good bath towels or other type of cushy cloth that you can use to cover your tins.

Shop towels.
Brake cleaner.
Dielectric grease (for your electrical connections and light sockets).
White thread sealer for your fluid plugs.
Anti seize.
Loctite Blue (Have some red handy also but you will use it very infrequently as it is much harder to remove).
Zip ties.
Bungie chords.
Wire brushes (for cleaning off threads on drain plugs, spark plugs, etc).
Lots of old rags for cleaning up oil and grease.
Drain pan Small enough to fit under your bike.
Some old detergent or similar type of jugs with good spill proof lids to take used oils to recycle.
Oil funnels.
Magnetic tray for holding nuts and bolts.
Paper and pencil to make notes on more complicated tasks so I can remember how to put it all back together!

Most of all PATIENCE!

 

the first thing a DIY needs to invest in is one of these


followed by one of these
*buy one for your bike model specificly*



then one of these


or if you got the coin one of these


some more of this


this

and this





theres more but thats dependent on how DIY you are
thigns like adjustable wrenchs, jb weld *quick, regular, waterproof, and fuel cell varietys*, various gauges of electrical wire, solder, shrink wrap, multi meter, angle grinder, welding stuff, bench grinder, air tools*ratchet,impact,chisil, etc* HVLP paint gun, sand blaster, air dryer, metal lathe/mill, drill press, heat gun, polishing gear.

oil tray, torque wrench, it all depends on how much of a DIY you are. the only things i dont have are the fancy welders, lathe/mill, and sandblasting stuff, but its coming

 

Watch Sears for huge sales - Craftsman tools guaranteed forever. You can score their best mechanics set - everything from A-Z for $600.00 (Metric or SAE). Lesser sets far less, but that is the most bang for the buck! All four of my H-D's are SAE.

Picking up the specialty tools from H-D pays for itself by missing 1000 mile check up! Listed in your service manual. If you plan on doing electrical stuff, a good meter is the jumping off point.

You also need to tighten nuts/bolts check fluids, etc. BETWEEN service intervals.

Pick up a supply of the common bolts and keep it organized. Same way with the O Rings for the fluid changes. Nothing like having the bike apart and not having the necessary part and everything closed: see cold beer below.

Patience is a virtue and a cold beer to celebrate afterward is icing on cake!

Enjoy the adventure!

 

i started out with a 100 piece tool set from sears. from there i've just bought tools along the way that i needed for a particular job. i have a decent collection now. some odd things i've bought are swivel adapter(3/8 and 1/4 drive), 12" extension(3/8 and 1/4 drives), files, allen wrench and torx bit sets in 3/8 drive, wire strippers and butt connectors. it all just depends on what job i'm doing.