Tools, to start my collection

[Reevo8]

Hi, I am in desperate need to start my tool collection for starting the work on my CBR400RR, However i do not know what i will need!

I am not the strongest chappy, so the strength of tools wont be relevent really.

Just after a rough list!

Another fools question, Are torque wrenches adjustable in size (i.e, the bolts the cling to?)

Links would be great.

Whether you help or not, ta for lookin.

[popadop]

halfords might be a good place to look. start of with a half decent socket set and a torque wrench.
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andy

[Silver]

...and a few sizes of screwdrivers and a set of allen keys.

[Ste]

Start of with a basic set of screw drivers, allen keys, some spanners and a socket set. Avoid getting adjustable tools such, especially on something like a torque wrnch where you're trying to be accurate. Get other tools as an when needed.

Make sure you go for stuff of reasonable quality (Halfords wil be fine) as cheap stuff will round off easily.

[mr.z]

halford torque wrence won over a few others allot more expensive, got one, use it all the time its great

Your going to need lithium based grease/high melting point, copper slip, decent screw drivers, multi meter, if you can afford to get some ratcheting ring spanners... a manual if you dont allready have one too!

Apart from that lot your probably best waiting till you need whichever bit and geting it when you need it, otherwise you might end up with a pile of gear you never use

Edit: A rubber mallet if your ever takeing the wheels off, very handy indeed..
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Kickstart]

Hi

Stick with decent quality tools (cheapo ones will do to live in the car), and Halfords stuff is fairly good. Don't bother getting AF stuff, just stick to metric.

For working on bikes 3/8" drive stuff is fine. You are likely to need 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm and 22mm sockets / spanners. Couple of decent screw drivers. Set of allen keys.

Strength is important as you can put a lot of force on a socket. OK a broken socket is not the end of the world, but it is a real pain if it wrecks the head of the bolt you were trying to undo.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Reevo8]

Trip to halfords with me fruity winnings in the moring i think!

[stinkwheel]

How much you looking to spend?

Halfords is where I would go, the do some pre-assembled tool kits that are very good value for money. The halfords 'professional' range are as good as you would ever need.

I would consider the following essential:

Spanner set: you are going to want 8 to 22mm, get the sort with an open on one end and a ring on the other. Beware very cheap ones will burr nuts.

Turnscrews (screwdrivers): Try for ones with a shaft that goes right through the handle and a hex on the shaft that you can put a spanner on.

Socket set: Go for quality, halfords do a very good one as do Draper PROFESSIONAL (not normal draper). Some would just go for a 3/8" drive to do everything. If you can afford it, you would be much better with a 1/4" AND a 1/2" drive set. Go for 12 point sockets where you can.

Allen key set: The longer, the better IMO

Self grip wrench (mole grips): You shouldn't need this, but you may find you do if something goes wrong.

Digital multimeter: Analogue display is better IF you know how to use it, otherwise stick with digital.

Pliers: Needle nose and ordinary.

Nylon/copper headed hammer: For hammering things you are not supposed to hit with a hammer.

Plug spanner: There may already be one in your bike tool kit, a simple tube spanner is perfectly sufficient.

A plastic funnel: Or two, one for oil, one for coolant.

A BIG ring spanner: for removing the rear wheel nut.

Feeler Guages: For setting plug gaps and valve clearances

The following are usefull but not essential

Impact driver: For removing very tight/seized set-screws

Torque wrench: Either 1/2" or 3/8" drive depending on which socket set you bought (they use ordinary sockets to fit different bolt sizes). Essential if you are taking the cylinder head off.

Circlip pliers: Self explanatory.

Drift set: for drifting out bearings

C-Spanner: for locknuts/adjusting shocks.

Oil filter wrench: I have never found a good one, I just hammer an old screwdriver through the old cannister and use that to unscrew it.

Some big syringes and clear plastic tubing: Invaluable for changing fork oil and bleeding brakes.

Wobble extension bars: for your socket set, to reach into difficult spots.

T-bar scredrivers: can be handy

Things you should never use

Adjustable spanners: Just DON'T you have spent a fortune on proper spanners and sockets!

Metal hammer of any description: The only thing you should ever hit with this when working on your bike is the end of a drift.


I am sure I have forgotten loads but that is a basic list. What I did was buy cheap ones then replace them with good stuff as they broke/I got pissed off with burred nuts and screws. Halfords didn't do such decent quality kits back then.

I buy a new tool every month, either to replace something I am not happy with or to expand my collection. I started this ages ago on payday when I wasn't earning so much. You can't have too many

Another way is to rake round a car boot sale, you sometimes find some top-quality tools for pennies lurking in a box of rusty shite. Don't buy anything off those big tool stalls unless you know the brand.

Some common makes of tool:
Blackspur: Cheap and nasty, not worth bothering with
Draper: Not much better IMO
Draper professional/silver: Good, not too expensive.
CK: Also good quality, reasonably priced.
Teng: as good as the amateur mechanic would ever need, expensive.
Snap-on, Brittool: Mega expensive, professional gear, lifetime garuantee
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Reevo8]

Ta Very Much StinkyWheely, I shall be having a look through Halfords for a Socket set in the morn!and some medium quality tools!(once a cheepskate always a cheapskate) And see what i can get!
Need a Paddock Stand too!

[stinkwheel]

[Kickstart]

[mr.z]

The most recent thing i brought was a trolley jack, costing a grand total of £15 and rated to carry up to 2tons! will make future wheel changes less of a frightening affair... (and iv'e got a centerstand too!)
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[stinkwheel]

[Kickstart]

Hi

No, the 12 pointer will only use the very tips of the 6 points of the bolt head. As soon as it starts to slip it will just round the nut / bolt off.

Impact sockets are almost always 6 point ones.

Thing with an open ended spanner is that it will deform so the 2 jaws are not parallel, plus is only pushing on (at best) 2 corners rather than 6.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[ZRX61]

Ditto what Kickstart said, go with 6point sockets, 12 pointers are crap at loosening seized nuts/bolts etc.... but they are VERY good at rounding em off.

& get 1/4 & 3/8 drive, there's nothing on a bike that needs 1/2in drive & that includes axles that are torqued to 110ft/lb. If ya need a REALLY large socket (27 & 30mm usually) just buy 1/2drive versions & get a 3/8 > 1/2 adaptor.

avoid buying those bargain kits because haldf the stuff will be AF & of no use whatsoever on a bike.... unless you buy a Royal Enfield....

I could give you a list of tools to buy that would make your head spin, my *main* stuff barely fits in this:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/ZRX61/ZRXGarage/DSC00030.jpg

[sickpup]

Facom OGV sockets come in 6 or 12 point, or at least used to. I use Facom as the warranty is very good, soon as something shows wear it gets replaced F.O.C. Had the chrome peel off of the work end of pliers a couple of times and they just get exchanged no questions.

Check the Facom actions catalogue for some real bargains.

[Big Pete]

6 point sockets (or face drive) are deff the way to go. I have some S-P face drive 3/8" stuff that is excellent, they grip on heads that nothing else would.
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Trust me, I`m an engineer
GarageOfPower.co.uk

[McJamweasel]

What do you reckon to Clarke kit?
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[MarJay]

I have Halfords Professional kit. I hear that is good, but I am disappointed that no one has mentioned this as quality kit!

I remember reading in another thread that Halfords Professional kit was actually made by Brittool. Is this true?
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[stinkwheel]

[MarJay]

Doh! Thanks Stinky (somehow it seems a liitle strange to call you that... but what the hey! )


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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Git]

Another fan of six point sockets.

Remember, cheap tools usually damage hands as well as the nuts/bolts, ouch!

[G]

Another fan of the 'face drive' here .

When it halfords I noticed that some of their 12 point ones are actually wall drive, so should be better than your average 6 pointer as far as rounding goes.

However, a big to the cheap and nasty 12 point ones.

[mr jamez]

I have just started my collection, I just visit www.primetools.co.uk every now and again, some good bargains on there I got a nice britool metric spanner set, allen keys and bit sockets. I would say get a good quality 3/8 and 1/2 ratchet (on offer at prime tools) as well as short and long extension bars for each. A breaker bar if you have a any very tight bolts and of course a good range of sockets. I already have plenty of decent tools as my dad worked in the trade, just needed a decent metric spanner set. Other important tools are molegrips and a big hammer I wouldn't recommend the halfords torque wrench, think they are filled with Jelly or some other form of pudding my cheap clarke ones are pretty good though

The rest of the halfords tool range seems pretty decent

[G]

www.justoffbase.co.uk seems pretty good for tools, some decent prices on there.

Free delivery on orders over £50 as well .

If you've got a bit of money they do some tool cabinets, with tools included. Though starting at £320, but that's about right for the cabinet on it's own.
Demon tweaks do a similar offer for a tad over £200, but on a smaller scale I think.