What Tools Should I have?

Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

What are the essentials? Having passed my DAS in November and bought an 03 Fazer 600 I've gone and bought a Haynes Manual Mr. Green

I think it's going to be just as much fun getting involved with the mechanics of the bike as riding it and I guess knowing what the engine is doing, how it works can only make you a better rider on the road.
The book does mention tools but I thought I'd ask The Workshop for tips, suggestions and any 'out there' ideas for making things easier, cheaper and hopefully better.

Andy Cool

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White Noise · Mr Dudwee Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Karma :

basics i recon

decent socket set

set of screwdrivers

set of allen keys

the rest buy as you need them
WN
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Big spanner to take the wheel nuts off. Plug socket (that fits your bike). Set of metric ring spanners.

My personal favourite: Nylon hammer Very Happy

The tools I use most are my 1/4" drive socket set, allen keys and my hammer.

A cheap multimeter is also handy to have (less than £5 these days), electrical faults always occur when it is dark, the shops are shut and you absolutely have to ride the bike the following morning.
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mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

A good 1/4" drive socket set (drive adapters are handy).
Allen keys.
Combination spanners, 8-24mm if you can find them.
Decent screwdrivers, large and small.
Plug spanners.
Torque wrench.

Those are what I use most (maybe not the torque wrench, but it takes experience to feel what a bolt is doing). A cheap socket set is okay until the 8 and 10mm sockets round off and you have to buy them again. Six point sockets are better than twelve point.

Other handy things I have include mole grips, funnels, containers for catching oil in, sawdust for when the containers leak, scalpels, long nose and ordinary pliers, brake bleeding kit, overalls + safety boots, inspection lamp, trolley jack + piles of bricks, soldering iron, spare fasteners, electrical connectors, steel wire brushes and brass wire brushes to clean spark plugs with, wire wool, sandpaper, carburettor cleaner, Gunk, WD40, 3 in 1 spray lube, Handy oil, lithium grease, Coppa Slip, 'persuading' tools (hammers and mallets large and small), Swarfega, and a great big metal vice securely mounted to a workbench, especially for hitting things in (see big hammers Smile

).

There are bound to be others, but you can get away with a few essentials to start off with.
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Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

Thanks for the replies fellas. I went to look at Halford Torque wrenches but they are £50 albeit with a lifetime guarantee. I had one before but have somehow lost it since our last house move. I think they are important. Anyone who says they're not requisite hasn't sheered a bolt on an intake manifold Mr. Green

I've seen some good deals on ebay but am not sure of the different makes but looking at the relatively 'light' application for a bike I guess I needn't be too pedantic.

Andy Cool

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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

feef · Energiser Bunny Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Karma :

4lb lump hammer and a pair of mole grips! Very Happy

oh.. and a bonking stick!

bidman · Crazy Courier Joined: 01 Oct 2005 Karma :

A pair of paddock stands are also very useful, Thumbs Up

Dan
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riichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Karma :

i say a hammer,, and a beer. normaly works for me when somthing goes wrong Mad

...

but really what all the other guys said Thumbs Up

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.......... PLOD ............ zx636 2004

ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Theres a post on here someplace by me that has "mechanical muppet" in the title, the post lists 2 books, buy em.

ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

got the thread title wrong, but found it:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=49611&highlight=

trevoriv · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Karma :

i use my torque wrench the most for my axle nut when tightening my chain Smile

good socket set, spanners, allen keys (stupid things that they are), screwdriver etc should do most jobs.

if you need to buy anything i have used these plenty and have always been good https://www.tooled-up.com Thumbs Up

zenodamper · Derestricted Danger Joined: 25 Dec 2005 Karma :

Gaffer tape, for what shouldn't move, but is. And WD40 for what should move, but isn't.....

err... like they said I spose. I like the Tengtool kits for good value. Oh, and I would not without my battery impact wrench... LOL Laughing

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

trevoriv · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Karma :

Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

BFG · Brolly Dolly Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Karma :

No-one mentioned torx head wrenches Wink

Not sure if you need them on the fazer, but most new vehicles use them now.

I would avoid the like of halfords for tools. The quality has improved over days gone by, but they are still very overpriced for what you get.

Look in yellow pages under Motor Factors or Engineers Merchants. Thumbs Up

Better tools at half the price of less.

kawakid · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

What about, cheap disposable gloves (200 for £1 at local pound shop), ideal for working on bike, parafin for cleaning chain.
Oil filter removal tool.

Hmm i've got above, plus socket set, set of spanners, various oils lubes, greases, axle stands, trolley jack, inspection light, rubber mallet, oil drain tub, allan keys, normal screw drivers, star screw set, multimeter, metal ruler (adjusting chain), battery charger, spare fuses bulbs, breaker bar, wire brushes, adjustable spanners,
digital air pressure gauge.

What I need is a torque wrench, my give it another turn mentality is sure to cause problems.

Being honest though, i'm no bike mechanic at all, i'm okayish with cars, absolutely crap with bikes, my tools were all for my car.

I can do simple things on bikes, like oil, chain, most things electrical
because of my job.

I'd love to go on a bike mechanic course, but none in my local area.
(evening course)
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