Morning all,

For a long time I didn't have anywhere to work on my bike. We live in an area where space is hard to come by. I have finally got somewhere I can store tools and wrench on my bike and wanted to ask your thoughts

What tools are constantly in use in your workshops?

Tools for general motorbike maintenance, basic modifications and repairs.

I appreciate the naivety of the question, however, You’ve done this a lot longer than me and I’m keen to purchase a few quality tools the first time round, rather than a ‘300 piece tool kit - one size fits all - amazon special” that will break and end up gathering dust.

Thank you
Joe

 

Tools, tools, tools. I can never get enough of them over the past 45+ years.

I have done a fair amount of work on cars and, more recently my motorcycles. Granted, mine have been new bikes and did not need drivetrain work (engine, transmission, primary...etc). I've installed fork wind deflectors, new shocks, new monotube fork elements, saddlebags, a new seat, accessory electrical line (heated gear), rack and sissy bar, hand guards, new grips, and have done all elements of 1000, 5000 and 10,000 mile maintenance.

Most of the time you can get a set (wrenches, sockets) for a good price rather than buying individual items. Some of the things I seem to use the most on my bikes:
>A platform scissor jack to lift the bike; takes up little room in your garage and works fine
>Safety, ratchet straps to secure the bike when on the jack; you'll have to rig the attachment points in your garage (use large eye screws or bolts)
>Good ratchets, three sets of drives (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2-inch); you'll use the 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch the most
>Good sets of combination wrenches (1-end open, other closed): SAE 1/4" (spokes) to 1-inch, 9mm to 17 mm (you may also need a 10mm)
>A 6-inch adjustable wrench (maybe a smaller one and a larger one, too)
>Sockets in same sizes as wrenches, appropriate sized spark plug socket
>Extensions for your ratchets so you can use them from a distance (4" and 8" or so)
>Adaptors to allow conversion from 1/4 inch socket drive to 3/8 inch, also 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch
>"Wobble" drive adaptors (3/8 and 1/4") so you can use your sockets when you can't quite get at bolts/nuts straight on
>Good set of Torx bits for T25 to T50, 14 inch hex drive
>Screw drivers: small medium and large, blade tip and Phillips head
>Allen wrench set (individuals, not a folding combination set), 1/16 inch to 3/8 inch
>Needle nose pliers
>A telescoping magnet to pick up screws (etc) that you drop (you will, trust me)
> Get some Halomar or the Permatex "equivalent" for drain plug threads
>Get some Locktite (blue) 242; probably also some Locktite (red) 271
>It is probably wise to get a 1/4 inch drive torque wrench (really a socket drive); maybe a 3/8 inch drive also; almost all HD bolts have a torque setting
>Get a Harley Davidson Service Manual for your bike; expensive but worth it; probably one of the most important items

I anticipate that you are not a professional mechanic. When I say "good" tools you don't want to buy super cheap ones; neither do you need the most expensive. There are many different brands of tools here in the USA; not sure of the UK. I have tools of all sorts of brands, from Snap-on (probably the best), Craftsman (formerly Sears) to Pittsburg (low-cost but decent Harbor Freight brand)

No matter how many tools you get, you will always find you need more.

 

everyone who is a hobbiest are the one who cry "snap on is a rip off". sure you dont need high end tools for everything but when you use the tools everyday to make a living, the difference can be felt. obviously this is my opinion as a technician by trade.

 

Really appreciate your detailed response @steveSportster This is really useful thank you, you are correct, I'm not a mechanic, however - I think I would get a lot of satisfaction from working on my bikes myself, I'm certainly not going in with super cheap tools, I'm more than happy to spend a little bit extra to purchase good quality ones that will last.

I had a feeling this might be the case, I'm going into this fully aware that once I start buying bits I probably won't stop.

 

If you are reasonably close to a tool store, I recommend you keep things simple, buy a few basics, such as set of wrenches and a socket set, then buy extras as you need them. That has kept me going for the last 50+ years!

Added: the one tool you do need is a genuine Harley belt tension tool. It is the only Harley specific tool I own and should be readily available from your local dealer.

 

Look very carefully at the set of Torx drives you get. You need to make sure to get a T27. Some sets don't have that.

If you plan on taking the hand controls apart you will also need a couple of smaller sizes like T15 and T20

 

error post

 

I am a admitted tool truck junkie. 5 or so years ago I started moving out my craftsman stuff for the tool truck stuff. Not all of it is new, but all in good shape with no owners marks. Absolute pleasure to work with every time I use them. I don't turn them for a living, just for me and some friends.

Torx and Allen sets are a must. Wrenches, sockets, just normal stuff will get you by just fine until you get into something were you need the "Specialty" tool.

I never use a adjustable wrench on my bike, car, or truck. Right tool for the job always. If I don't have the right tool, I will get the right tool.

I was preparing for Hurricane Ivan and bought a hammer drill from Harbor freight. That was the biggest POS I have ever owned in my life. After 10 3/8 holes it stopped hammering. My 4lb hammer ended up breaking the drill up into pieces. I know other people have had better luck then me with their stuff but I was done after that. Ill stick with waiting and saving for the good stuff. Plus my son will get it all of my tools when I get too old.

 

Which one? Tool ***** here...I have 3 HUGE toolboxes at home...and several at work that I use to make a living...

Not many tools that I don't possess ...most in multiples...Hell I have a whole drawer of cheap wrenches bent with a torch... to get in tight places from when I worked on forklifts...

 

that's my rule of thumb for tools...if I'm going to use it to earn my living I'll buy the best I can get. If it's for home use or a hobby type thing I'll buy just enough tool to get the job done.