Triumphrat

poffypoffa · 10-17-2006

I'd like to be able to do some basic mechanics on my bike--installation of aftermarket parts, exhaust, etc. I have some mechanical skills, but no tools for this kind of work (I mostly have home repair and electronics tools).

What kind of wrenches are most convenient--traditional wrenches or socket wrenches? Is there anything in particular I should be looking for? And is there any good source for tool sets?

Thanks!

dazco · 10-17-2006

Definatly a socket set, torque wrench, a set of open ends, and a couple sizes of crescents. Thats what i find necassary at a miniumum. You'll find most socket sets go to about 18mm for the typical minimal set. Anything you need after that you can buy seperatly. I prefer simple beam type torque wrenches, tho many like the click type. I find beam types quicker and easier to use and IMO are accurate enough. Mine is 1/2" drive and i use a 3/8 adapter since the majority of my sockets are 3/8. But having a 1/2" i think is good because it's stronger, plus 3/8 drive torque wrenches are hard to find. The only drag about beam types is they aren't racheting, but thats no biggie. One thing i will say because i think it's important.......if you are going to begin wrenching on your bike don't scrimp. Buy all the tools you need instead of trying to 1/2ass something with a tool thats not the optimal choice. It'll just cause you enormous grief often. Better to buy whatever you need.

As for quality, youll find many opposing answers but i'm not one of those to subscribe to high quality tools only. I buy reasonable quality stuff but i will buy cheap when i think it's a tool that will do the job just fine and will probably last. I have some very cheap tools i've had for decades and still work fine. It's pretty obvious when you examine them whether the quality is acceptable or not. There ARE some that are just so cheap looking i stay away. But for example of good but cheap tools i have found some very reasonable tools at harbor freight that are plenty strong and have lasted well. Very high quality and expensive tools may be nice, but they are often 3-5 times the cost and having owned many cheap tools that i've had since i was a teen (53 now) The only time i buy higher quality is when it's a tool that i know will face serious abuse such as a torque wrench. When you have to crank a bolt to 100 Lbs of torque you don't want it breaking on you in mid pull !

Speed3 · 10-17-2006

You can't go wrong with Craftsman. Readily available with a lifetime warranty on most of their tools. I also have a bunch of Snap-On wrenches, which are top notch.

Mojoinco · 10-17-2006

A middle of the road quality brand is Craftsman (note: the cheap line used to be called Sears, now is called Companion -- not guranteed). Other brands are good as well, such as Armstrong, Blackhawk, etc. Though Taiwanese made, the Wally world Stanley's can occasionally be bought for a good price.

If you subscribe to the Sears web site, you will get the ads sent to you. Though I have (and occasionally still do) buy cheap tools, they are either when the wallet is thin, or they will be modified anyhow.

Sears will have 100-300 piece starter sets on sale regularly. They are a great way to start out. If you buy a tool box, buy one quality higher than you think you can afford (trust me). It will be around you for a long time. Lowes Depot sell decent looking boxes as well. sears are made by Waterloo. A top box is a good starter, but a bottom box will give you a table top to work on (or at least to set things on). Ammo boxes are very good for starters too. A scribe is a good cheap tool too (used to mark things).

Standard & deep sockets, long handled needle nose pliers, hardened tip phillips screwdrivers (you can always start with a bit driver & set, they are usually hardened; Ace and Sears sell one with a rubber block that slides over the driver handle that is pretty complete, including some Torx). A three piece set of allen (hex) in sae & metric, and torx. If you buy an L wrench set(s) buy the ball end type (Bondhus is another good brand in this).

If you are using a crescent wrench, you will eventually end up using a vise grips locking wrench (the vise grip brand is the standard) due to rounding the bolt head! Occasionally you will need to use vise grips, but that's another story.

A (harder to find) 1/4" drive torque wrench & and a 1/2" torque wrench (cheap) in the beam style are hard to beat, as they will hold torque settings better than most medium to lower price click wrenches.

2 sets of combination wrenches. Usually don't include 16 & 18 mm due to sae (fractional) wrenches being plentiful. And this size isn't commonly used anyhow -- oh, we have Triumph's!

A hammer type impact wrench. From Harbor Freight (cheap) to Snap On ($$). Cheap seems to usually be ok here. Motorcycles and corrosion to case bolts (and master cyclinder covers) will want you wonderinghow to remove the ruined screwhead. Use one of these first.

A can of gasket maker. A can of anti-seize. A book from Seqouia press: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188...lance&n=283155. Ace also sells it.

Don't forget the local swap meets and yard sales, as well as craigslist. Latex or the blue gloves harbor Freight sells (not latex, can't remember the material, Home Depot sells them as well -- Stanley makes the Husky tools, decent brand).

[ This message was edited by: Mojoinco on 2006-10-17 16:18 ]

poffypoffa · 10-17-2006

Thank you all for the very detailed answers.

I would love a box full of snap-on tools--but for now, I think it will be craftsman.

I'm going to use all this info to load up next week. Then, a muffler swap!

poffypoffa · 10-28-2006

Well, I spent a while reasearching various options, and I ended up going with a Husky Pro basic set--it has 5 metric combo wrenches (stubbies, but I figure that's OK for a motorcycle), and a full complement of 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets. Husky Pro is made by Stanley, which seems comparable in quality to modern Craftsman tools, and it has a great black chrome finish. Lifetime warranty, just like Craftsman (of course, a warranty on ***** is kind of worthless...) We'll see how they hold up.

I also picked up a set of anti-tamper bits. I'll grab a 3/8 torque wrench sometime soon, as well as some larger metric wrenches. Thanks again for the advice!

Here's the tool kit I picked up, for $60--

http://www.huskytools.com/Product.as...84b&cid=801388

Lone-Rider · 10-28-2006

As the song goes "you've only just begun". When it comes to buying tools, there is no end. I've been in the mechanical trades for over 40 years and am still buying tools. I buy the pricy stuff when it is something that really matters [impact sockets, micrometers come to mind] and the less expensive "iron" [end wrenches etc.] to save a little on shop expense. I havea very patient wife who doesn't care what I spend as long as we eat OK [what a blessing]. Enjoy !!

daveforty · 10-29-2006

I suggest the next things you buy are:

1; a steel toolbox
2; a padlock

pineygroveshop · 10-30-2006

Metal wrenches are best.

kan4132 · 11-01-2006

Quote:

On 2006-10-17 15:51, Speed3 wrote:
You can't go wrong with Craftsman. Readily available with a lifetime warranty on most of their tools. I also have a bunch of Snap-On wrenches, which are top notch.

I realize it's excessive but Sears Hardware stores have a 200 piece set of Craftsman tools for something like $170. This is a phenominal deal at less than $1 a tool. I bought a set the day I saw the ad. The only tool you'll need to get is the oil filter wrench. The set includes sockets in the 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch drives includes metric and standard sizes, has 2 full sets of open ended wrenches, 2 sets of hex head wrenches, and a screwdriver with a magnetic/removable tip.
I believe the department number is 9 and the model number is 33263. It's not on sale right now, it's going for $269 right now, but I have seen it go on sale a couple times It's 263 pieces. It's excessive but you'll never need to buy another tool set again.

Take it easy.
kan