Stocking the toolbox
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Stocking the toolbox
Hi Everyone!
I'm a lady with a 2004 Sporty XL project and I'm just starting to get my hands into it.
If you bought a new toolbox and had to start from scratch, what tools and essentials would you stock it with so you could take apart/work on your bike? What are the must-have and/or most-used tools?
Thanks!
I'm a lady with a 2004 Sporty XL project and I'm just starting to get my hands into it.
If you bought a new toolbox and had to start from scratch, what tools and essentials would you stock it with so you could take apart/work on your bike? What are the must-have and/or most-used tools?
Thanks!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 28
From: Allyn, WA
Box-end wrenches in both standard and metric. Ratchets and sockets in standard and metric. Screwdrivers in flat, Philips, and Torx. Allen head wrenches in standard and metric. Rubber mallet. Cordless drill and bits. Box knives. T-handle drivers in Allen head and Torx head.
Here's a good start: http://www.harborfreight.com/profess...kit-45951.html
Here's a good start: http://www.harborfreight.com/profess...kit-45951.html
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Torque wrench, flash light, needle-nose and various pliers (I like bull-nose dykes for cutting zip tie ends and fuel line clamps), 12 volt test light, socket swivels, oil filter wrench, service manual. Depending on what you're doing, you may need special tools or the ability to alter tools for a particular purpose - like making an allen wrench shorter for the bolts on an intake manifold.
A 100-plus piece Craftsman tool kit from Sears is usually a good start. If/when you get a set of Torx sockets, which many people prefer over T-handle style Torx wrenches, make sure it includes a #27.
Really cheap tools will frustrate you. They're not worth it.
A 100-plus piece Craftsman tool kit from Sears is usually a good start. If/when you get a set of Torx sockets, which many people prefer over T-handle style Torx wrenches, make sure it includes a #27.
Really cheap tools will frustrate you. They're not worth it.
Last edited by HarleyScuba; Feb 5, 2011 at 12:56 PM. Reason: nunya
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
You all ROCK!! I wish I would have thought about asking this before Christmas, could have had a nice long, healthy list for Santa 
Maybe the Easter Bunny will be good to me this year.
Let me know if you think of any others!
Love this forum and looking forward to getting to know you all.
Maybe the Easter Bunny will be good to me this year. Let me know if you think of any others!
Love this forum and looking forward to getting to know you all.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 11
From: Grottoes Va.
Don't forget a small mirror, a magnet on an extension, one of those things that will grab small parts that get dropped into tight places. Don't forget a service manual and a binder to put the directions for the other odd parts that you will be getting for your bike too. You'll keep adding to it for as long as you do your own work, trust me, it won't stop with your bike.
Myself, I wouldn't get tools at sears, not any good anymore, go to Lowes for their brand, Kobalt, they are made by Snap-on and alot cheaper price too.
Myself, I wouldn't get tools at sears, not any good anymore, go to Lowes for their brand, Kobalt, they are made by Snap-on and alot cheaper price too.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
Buy american made tools with lifetime warranties. Chinese tools are never hardened enough and there have been some made from radioactive material (we sold em the radioactive scrap metal so its kinda our own fault for being dcks).
If your 2004 is anything like my 2008: You're going to need a lot of torx and hex bits. Get the ones that are made to go onto a ratchet. They're easier to deal with and you can use a torque wrench to turn them. Plus you can fit them into a smaller space in your toolbox.
Get one of those adjustable wrenches with the markings on em. They're great for sizing a bolts cap.
Lots of screwdrivers. Stay away from those stupid screwdrivers with the replaceable bits they suck. They're handy when you need 'em, but 99% of the time a real screw driver is just the tool for the job.
For oil changes get a 2 liter bottle and modify it for catching oil when you take the oil filter off.
Tire pressure gauge.
If your 2004 is anything like my 2008: You're going to need a lot of torx and hex bits. Get the ones that are made to go onto a ratchet. They're easier to deal with and you can use a torque wrench to turn them. Plus you can fit them into a smaller space in your toolbox.
Get one of those adjustable wrenches with the markings on em. They're great for sizing a bolts cap.
Lots of screwdrivers. Stay away from those stupid screwdrivers with the replaceable bits they suck. They're handy when you need 'em, but 99% of the time a real screw driver is just the tool for the job.
For oil changes get a 2 liter bottle and modify it for catching oil when you take the oil filter off.
Tire pressure gauge.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 33
From: TEXAS
You honestly can't go wrong with Craftsman tools, they have a lifetime warranty and are well made. Watch the newspaper and the internet for specials, they will have discount on different sets of stuff that would help you build a good tool set. Unless you are well healed money wise, getting the tools together is really a life time process. Like someone said, a good Craftsman starter mechanics tool kit is a great place to start and build from there.