Motorcycle tool kit - Any suggestions?

[Matariki]

Recently I've been having a bit of fun with my motorcycle, replacing things here and there. However I don't really have much of a tool kit, I been mainly been using my fathers hardware tools, however I would like to get a tool kit specified for motorcycle maintenance (or make my own up). Any suggestions for what sort of tools I should get or any pre-made kits out there worth looking at?

[unstuck]

Whatever tools you buy, make sure they are quality. Cheap tools often end up making the job harder and more frustrating. Start with the basics, socket set, spanners(open and ring) and screw drivers. An impact driver is a good tool to have also if its an older bike.

[unstuck]

http://www.powerbuilttools.co.nz/powerbuiltproducts.htm Have a look on here too, Powerbuilt are reasonable quality and price,IMO.

[Matariki]

http://www.powerbuilttools.co.nz/powerbuiltproducts.htm Have a look on here too, Powerbuilt are reasonable quality and price,IMO.

I like their kits, any of those you would suggest?

[Flip]

The first picture is what I cary in the old vintage side car.

The second and third is what is in the Harley, I swapped the larger socket set for the micro one and I always carry the wee tin of nuts and bolts.

You can buy a budget set of open ender-ring spanners for a few dollars from super cheap. Cheap cresents are a bit of a pain. A wee 1/4" socket set is very usefull. A multi meter and a small tin of nuts and bolts is very usefull. Some thing to fix a flat tyre with is very usefull. A long nosed vice grip has been very usefill in the past and has been used as a brake lever and also as plyers.

[Gremlin]

There is a few ways of doing it, and also depending how serious you want to go.

You can start by buying what you need, as you need it, and slowly build up as you go, or spend more upfront, buying a big set. The big sets (if you spend $200-400, stuff offered at Repco or SuperCheap for example) aren't the greatest quality, but then you're not a professional mechanic either, using them all day every day, and it's good to get you started. Then buy more specialised tools as you need them.

You also need to think about what you want to carry when on rides (puncture repair kit definitely recommended). The best trick there is to only use the bike kit when doing general maintenance, and that way you'll find out what you need to take... nothing worse than not having a certain spanner or bit for an obvious part

[unstuck]

http://www.justtools.com.au/prod2342.htm I keep one of these Bahco sets in my truck, along with a decent set of screwdrivers. Bloody good set.

[HenryDorsetCase]

That Bahco stuff is very good value for money IMO. Ive got a couple of their socket sets and some of their other stuff. Also Powerbuilt and Sidchrome.

I find one of those little magnetic pickup tools very useful (I am a klutz)

[Bassmatt]

http://www.justtools.com.au/prod2342.htm I keep one of these Bahco sets in my truck, along with a decent set of screwdrivers. Bloody good set.

I have this its the best "tool" I have ever bought, the sort of thing you wonder why you didnt buy one years ago.

[dogsnbikes]

Recently I've been having a bit of fun with my motorcycle, replacing things here and there. However I don't really have much of a tool kit, I been mainly been using my fathers hardware tools, however I would like to get a tool kit specified for motorcycle maintenance (or make my own up). Any suggestions for what sort of tools I should get or any pre-made kits out there worth looking at?

If you want this for home,start of with a good socket set and a good set of screw-drivers

Consider what you are happy doing yourself,as you have already mentioned you use dad's tools so make a list of tools which you already use and see how that compares to a ready made kit

I have a Bahco socket set and it worth every penny its cost me approx $220 5 years ago
It contains ring/open ended spanners some hex key and torx key attachments as well as sockets both 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch also you will fine having a strong bar handy I find 450mm long enough on bikes and if your looking at doing repairs look at a small and midrange torque wrenches

a Kingchrome screw-driver set was about $100....,

Also consider hex keys,deep plug sockets powerbuilt have a good one starting at 12mm up to 24mm any size above that you will need to buy individualy

Hammer's and punchs,pilers both flat and long nose and circlip pilers

A impact driver for those stubbon bolts and nuts

A wire brush and sandpaper....

Cable oiler clamp about $12-$15 at your local bike shop,wire connecters and crimping pilers you can get it as a kit and just top up as required



You don't need too spend mega bucks but if you can buy quality now,it will save you money later

[Flip]

I have a nice set of double open ender ring spanners, 10-12, 13-14 17-19, with 3 tools I can do most hex headed metric nuts and bolts. These are however very old fasioned tools these days.

I have been known to use a few of those ratchet open enders as well.

[pete376403]

A Leatherman multitool can come in handy out on the road, perhaps not so important in the workshop.

really cheap shit tools come in handy, too - to lend to other people. Keep the good stuff for your own needs.

[psykonosis]

I agree with start with the basic tools which include socket set, spanners, screw drivers and some allen keys. If you're a mechanic or want to spend some $$ on your tools I suggest Snap-On tools. Build up your kit as you need them, it would be a shame to see just a bunch of tools collecting dust now . Again though, I recommend Snap-on Tools and there is the odd truck around that will provide you with them though they aren't as common in NZ as they are in America. For just general weekend work though there are cheaper options such as the powerbuilt, teng tools and king tony

[Flip]

The problem with snap-on and stahlwille is they are so fucking expensive the cost makes my eyes water.

I used to get a lot of Elora brand spanners, which I liked. I have never has a problem with powerbuilt brand and over the last few years I have brought quite a few of them. I have left the trade and no longer see the tool van every week at work.

About the only problem I have had with any tools is mostly keeping them and I had a set of Sidchrome open enders that were far too soft and bent the faces open, they were replaced under warranty. There is a cheap set of SCA AF spanners in the landrover and a metric set in the sidecar.

I do like the looks of that set of Bhaco tools, they look like a nice boot-glove box set.

[F5 Dave]

. . . I recommend Snap-on Tools

You gotta be kidding! ok you did say 'if you're a mechanic', but clearly the OP is not. Even then one can learn that place of work will affect the risk of stuff going missing & whether you need to take out a third mortgage to replace it (the first 2 to procure in the first instance).



If you're not talking toolroll take it with you & mean at home, there is a thread stickied a couple of posts above you by some old plonker who doesn't know shet from clay, but had the inspired idea to start the thread.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/66479-Tools-required-for-a-motorcyclist



hahaha! just started re-reading it. Note the Snap-on reference only a few lines down.