Essentials for my Garage

[sAsLEX]

Also some stainless steel bowls for holding and washing parts are bloody handy too.

Just go get them from the kitchen! Just dont get caught!

[Hoon]

Just get a cheapo all-in-1 set from repcos. As your cheap tools break, replace them with quality items. Most bolts on jap bikes are 8/10/12/14mm so these are the ones you'll use most often. I have multiples of these - makes life easier finding the right spanner instead of spending half the time searching the garage for your only one.

I'm lazy too and I like to have a few 3/8" ratchets so I don't have to change sockets around (or search too hard for them).
I also use my Black'n'Decker Firestorm cordless drill a lot with my sockets/screw driver bits sorta like a rattle gun. Makes short work of those long fairing screws and I can remove a cover or fairing in seconds (did I mention I'm lazy?).

After a while you'll know what tools you'll need and which ones you never use. I've streamlined my tool box down to 2 tackle boxes which is all I take to track/race days and leave the big tool chest at home.

The expensive "only use once a year" tools like torque wrenches, engine cranes, impact drivers, spring compressors etc its best to know someone that has them so you can just borrow them when needed.

[Bonez]

A couple of portable servicing lamps come in handy. Gives extra lighting on those 11pm through 4am engine strips

[B-rad]

Get yourself a decent socket set that will last. I've gone through a couple so far. Also axle stands are good for taking your rear wheel off.

[MSTRS:Me]

I must find myself one of those 1/3" socket sets (pt)

Yea - they're really hard to find....p'raps we'd both be better off compromising by getting 3/8" ??

[Fatjim]

beer fridge?

hard work requires refreshments.

Or so you've heard.

[The_Dover]

i'm on ACC bro.

[Ixion]

No one has as yet mentioned the most essential tool in any mechanics armoury. A BLOODY BIG HAMMER. And the most essential word in any mechanics dictionary. Judicious.

[Motu]

And NOT a fucking claw hammer!!!!! They have absolutly no purpose in a motorcycle workshop....and if you've got a bike you certainly aren't going to waste your precious time doing stupid bloody repairs around the house.The workshop is to fix the bike...the bike is to ride.Ignore the rest.

[Ghost Lemur]

Thanks for the advise so far guys.

Lovin the beer fridge and heater. Seriously had already decided a gas heater is a necessity if there is going to be any chance of me being out there during winter.

[mazz1972]

At our place, he who thinks he's the boss has carpet, heater, chair, fridge freezer and stereo. Had a tv but it fell down in an earthquake.

Definately a tool collection is something that grows and mutates over many years. Probably the tool collection alone is worth more than the house contents.

Don't forget a cable luber and tyre levers if you are planning to DIY puncture repairs.

Take the good advice given and buy what you need when you need it, and get good quality if it's something you will use alot.

[mazz1972]

And NOT a fucking claw hammer!!!!! They have absolutly no purpose in a motorcycle workshop....and if you've got a bike you certainly aren't going to waste your precious time doing stupid bloody repairs around the house.The workshop is to fix the bike...the bike is to ride.Ignore the rest.

Hammers come in very handy to throw when a bolt strips it's thread or something similarly annoying happens...

[T.W.R]

And the most essential items, a manual so you know what the hell your looking at when you do start fiddling and a lock on the door so you can't be disturbed & items can't go missing when your not there

[scumdog]

And don't forget: Gasket-Goo, Loc-Tite, Silicone-Sealer and a shitload of Nyloc nuts, split-pins and castlated nuts. (sp).

A heat-gun is handy and a variety of oil-funnels and oil-filter removal tools too.
Brass drifts and rubber hammers help with removing various items.

And if all else fails look stylish, use lots of tassles!!

[Dafe]

Buy POWERBUILT. They do offer lifetime guarantees.

Good quality at a reasonable price. Buy them as you need.

Toolsheds & Repcos sell the full Power Built range.

There are some wicked starter kits for around $250. Thats reasonably affordable for good tools.

Not like a Snap On equivalent set that will cost your bike price.

Get one of these kits to get you going: I found it fantastic as a first tool kit for the bike.

Personally, I wouldn't buy any tools from the Warehouse either.