Motorcycle tool kit - Any suggestions?

[psykonosis]

I never assume that anyone wanting tools couldn't afford snap-on tools, though there are the fair share of people that "cry" at the price. If you can afford it and want them then research into them more I say and find out if they are for you. A mechanic could justify purchasing them as they will be using them everyday, though you could argue that putting those tools in a workshop they could slowly "go missing". Am i right? I still prefer the Snap-On range over the others posted above but it isn't my intention and isn't really the thread to bag the other brands because they are cheaper. I've had a number of the powerbuilt tools and they've been pretty handy over their lifetime as well (even though others have had some not so good experiences) and yeah the whole lot would have cost less than a few of the Snap-On trays. So yeah you can get some decent tools without breaking the bank if you have a budget in mind. Would agree though to not get them really really cheap tools as you end up getting frustrated and ruining your tools and bike. The end result = would have been better to buy a more decent set in the first place.

[otter]

Really depends how much you want to spend.

Stay away from the crappy repco tools (mechpro), they're too cheap to be any good, I'm sure supercheap also does some crappy cheap tools.
My new favourite place to get tools from now is actually mitre 10. They mainly stock two brands, Stanley and Fuller for most tools. Stanley are good quality for the money (although people say they used to be awesome quality in past years), Fuller are cheaper and not as nice.
When you're buying tools think about how you will be using them. For example, I paid a lot of money for my vice grips because I use them for getting screws out that have become stuck, they're my last resort so they'd better be good (I really don't want to have to drill out screws).
You will need a good socket set, don't bother with any imperial sizing (SAE), you want metric.
You want at least a 1/4 head socket wrench and 3/8 wrench. The 1/4 is for small sized bolts, 6-12MM say. 3/8 is for larger say, 10-17. Any larger an you may need to get a 1/2 wrench, I've managed to get by without by using a adjustable spanner. I would not recommend that approach, try and find a proper closed end spanner or sockets that fit your axle nuts, you'll fuck them up trying to attack them with an adjustable spanner.
Which brings me to my next point. Spanners, get some Stanley spanners or similar too. You want a set double ended spanners, they should have an open end on one end, and a closed on the other. If you get the really cheap ones they make them quite think which makes them hard to get in some places.
Sockets and spanners come in two types, 6 and 12 points. This refers to the number of points in the head to connect with the bolt. 12 points means that there are twice as many positions to start from. Get 12 points on your closed spanners, you'll thank me when you're getting into tight spaces. 6 is good for sockets because you can ratchet the socket around to where you want it anyway.
Get some screw drivers, I have a Stanley one with interchangeable heads which is fine except when you need something long to go into a tight space (plastic covers that have recessed screws are a good example of this, dedicated screw drivers are preferable here. I should note that flat head screw drivers are not chisels for whatever you feel like attacking, if you must, have an extra sacrificial flathead that you don't use on screws. Don't forget allen keys, screw drivers/bits with allen key are great too.
If you have an older bike will probably have stuck screws that you will munch the heads on trying to get out, get a pair of high quality vice grips (~40$ from mitre 10) I use needle nose myself because it's easier to get in those tight spaces, you shouldn't use them often but when you do you really need them.
Get some WD-40, this is not a real lube and don't you dear use it for that (the oils evaporate rapidly). It's a solvent for releasing rusted and stuck things. Get some side cutters and some more zip ties for those times that you have to remove wiring and cables from their mounts.

PM me if you have any questions, I won't bother checking back.

[gatch]

If it's for your bike, 1/4 socket set, screwdrivers, a roll of duct tape and a can of wd40. And a cellphone..

If it's for home.. Reasonable quality socket sets in 1/4 and 1/2" drive. Some cheap ratchets will die very quickly, money spent here is an investment. Quality screwdrivers. Combination open end/ring spanners, again quality, rounding off bolts can turn nightmarish. A SOFT face hammer, most people should be banned from hard hammers. Soft gasket scraping tools. Clean funnels and measuring jugs. Also a filter spanner. Either one that attaches to your ratchet, or a chain type vice grip. Rags, plastic gloves and good hand cleaner. Try avoid adjustable spanners as much as possible. Adjustable spanners cause a LOT of damage to all kinds of fasteners.

Buying big sets of tools is easy and convenient, but can get expensive and you can end up with a bunch of crap you will never need or want.

Anything more than these things and chances are the operation you are going to perform will require more skill than the average enthusiast.

[HenryDorsetCase]

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 saw that socket set on spesh at Placemakers on Saturday. $169. bargain!

[FROSTY:Me]

To be honest hotkebab theres darn good advice above. But in my opinion when just starting out buying tools your very best bet is to open up the factory tool kit and see whats there.
Then as a basic starting point replace everything in the set with good quality stuff. Yea later you will likely want the spanner set and the allen key set but I promise you that having two 10mm ring/open enders is a good thing

[rustic101]

There are only ever two items a rider requires....

Duct tape and CRC

CRC - for things that do not move but should, and

Duct tape - for things that do move but shouldn't.

[The Pastor]

TIPS,

1. buy cheap, you wont use them often and useally you can replace a tool 2 or 3 times for the price of a good one, and ive never had to replace a tool yet.

2. get a set of deep sockets 8-19mm.

3. get a set of ring end spanners

4. don't put much force on bolts, be kind to them. always start a bolt by fingers 1st, to prevent cross threading. If you need to undo a really stuck bolt, use a breaker bar

5. don't use adjustable spanners, ever.

6. carry zip ties on the bike.

[F5 Dave]

There are only ever two items a rider requires....

Duct tape and CRC

CRC - for things that do not move but should, and

Duct tape - for things that do move but shouldn't.

Hilarimouse. And not original, done a few pages back. It wasn't funny then either. [edit, sorry in the other tools thread, - but it still isn't very funny]

[F5 Dave]

. . .

5. don't use adjustable spanners, ever. . . .

I have a beauty about 2 & 1/2 foot long. Its fantastic. ok, I don't use it very often, but if you need to bend something, having a long lever to carefully apply pressure that also has an adjustable size interface; - well its brilliant!

[davebullet]

For on the road:

A length of fuel hose (so you can syphon if stuck somewhere or have a fuel leak)
Duct tape (to fix said leak or tape on broken bits from a crash or flappy luggage etc...)
Puncture repair kit

Anything else won't fit or is probably such a major you need a mechanic with a full arsenal

[The Pastor]

Those hex key (or allen key) set that fits onto your wrench, have saved my life many times.

[gatch]

Those hex key (or allen key) set that fits onto your wrench, have saved my life many times.

Yeah man those are the tits. For those of you who are looking to buy some, get the cast one piece impact version. They will handle much abuse and you can chuck em in a rattle gun if need be and they won't burst the socket part. They only cost a marginal amount more than the standard sort pictured.

[GSF]

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)

Agreed on the Bahco, I have a little $85 Bahco set with a ratchet, selection of sockets and spanners, extensions and a screwdriver & bit set which is small enough to tuck in a backpack and can do pretty much everything on the bike with exception of rear axle nut, steering stem nut etc.

Best little tool set I ever bought!

[Old Steve]

I carry an adjustable spanner, like OP said above they're handy for straightening bent levers. I like the IREGA brand, nice flat feel to the handle.

I made up a tool roll on my sewing machine once I'd discovered what tools I needed, made a pocket for every different tool. This rolls up and I keep it in my saddle bag. I carry a philips and a large slot screwdriver, a set of ring/open enders from 8 to about 16mm, the adjustable wrench, bundle of cable ties, roll of that new tape Loctite make which can be used on fuel lines, tire gauge, and a multitool like a leatherman. I also carry a block of wood about 200x100x20 mm for placing under the side stand if parking on uncertain ground.

[Matariki]

Any opinions on powerbuilt tools?