1/4" or 3/8" sockets ?

[Meegas]

Hi Guys,

I want to service my bike soon, that includes changing oil, oil filter, brake pads etc. which will require getting the correct torque with a torque wrench.

I am just not sure which sockets I would need for small fasteners such as the one on the engine oil cover part, 1/4" or 3/8" ?

Cheers

[Fisty]

A 3/8" set should cover most basic things on a motorbike. Most sets are 8-22mm. Just buy extra sockets as and when you need them. Engine covers tend to be 6mm heads.
You can never have too many tools tho
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[Taught2BCauti...]

Start off with a decent 3/8 drive set, and a set of combination spanners - buy additional bits and pieces as you need them.

The only extra tools you might need to start with, would be something to undo the wheel nuts, and perhaps a 'G' Cramp for retracting caliper pistons.

If you have a canister-type oil filter, a chain wrench would be useful too.
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[Ste]

[Meegas]

I'm buying this, good starting point, great value for money, 2 year guarantee. Has 14 sockets from 4-16mm. I read somewhere on the forum that you mostly use 8-14mm ones so should be fine

https://www.clasohlson.com/uk/40-Piece-Tool-Set/40-8684

Thank you for the replies, helpful as always!

[Ste]

Axle bolts will need bigger sockets than 16mm.

[Copycat73]

both & torque wrench(s) to suit.
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[andyscooter]

27mm nut on my rear wheel


17mm on the front

main sockets i use are 10 11 12 13mm

also just bought one of these

https://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb129/andyscooters/81RPSeL0ZRL__SL1500__zpse40e36a7.jpg

and a torque wrench
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[Taught2BCauti...]

[Meegas]

[Ste]

You'll need to loosen the rear axle when adjusting the chain tension.

[Taught2BCauti...]

On my bike, you have to remove the rear wheel to change the pads!
17mm Bolt Head, 22mm Nut.
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www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Meegas]

[Ste]

You're still going to need to adjust the chain.

[bamt]

If you can afford a little more, I'd go for one of the Halfords Professional sets - which, as usual, are on half price at the moment.

This one is £20 and should do most of what you need, with 9 - 20mm sockets.

or This one goes a bit smaller, but looses the 20mm.

There are various other options depending upon your finances and how many other tools you have.

[Meegas]

[G]

For a bit over £30 you can get a 94 piece metric socket set that does 4-32mm or something, has a very good range of allen and trx keys as well as some long sockets, extension bars etc.

If on a budget for sockets, I'd get one of these sets that upgrade from there.
Quality isn't amazing, but is good enough and they come in 6 point.

[cb1rocket]

[cb1rocket]

still not a bad set overall

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/94PC-1-2-1-4-SOCKET-SET-SCREWDRIVER-BITS-/190370490392?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c52f72818
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[stevo as b4]

I'm sure that plenty of people will disagree with me, but when I first started buying my own tools I built up a good range of both 1/2" drive sockets, and 1/4" drive sockets with ratchet's T-bar handles, long and sort breaker bars, and extension bars.

I found initially that combined with a good spanner set, I could get buy without needing a full 3/8" drive set as well. There's a lot of low torque fasteners on bikes, so 1/4" drive is the most useful size generally, unless your removing wheels, engines, shocks, swingarms or Fork yokes etc. Then 1/2" is the king.

I later got a handful of 3/8" sockets and a small stubby palm ratchet that I found useful for certain things, removing spark plugs for example.

[Jewlio Iglesias]

3/8" drive will cover almost everything you need motorcycle wise.
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[mentalboy]

[Meegas]

I would think that the 3/8" set from Halfords would be better quality?
Also I have to admit, I have no experience with mechanics and this whole 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" is a mystery to, what does it refer to, what difference does it make? Fell a bit silly asking you all this but better to ask the way than go astray I figured.
I also found this torque wrench to go with the sockets, seems good value and good enough in terms of quality and really low range which I need:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-8-inch-2-24nm-1-47-17-70lb-ft-Micrometer/dp/B000RO1ZCG/ref=sr_1_2?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1422110597&sr=1-2&keywords=low+range+torque+wrench+3%2F8#customerReviews

Any thoughts guys?

[geordiecbrblo...]

[G]

I've had/used various of those 94 piece socket sets - for the money you won't get better if you don't have a decent range of tools already.