Triumphrat

pipsta3yt · 02-15-2008

i want to buy a tool set so i can start to work on my 1966 triumph (bitsa it might have non metric parts) (i might have a crappy walmart tool case alredy)

Maxam 148pc SAE & Metric Tool Set

this one is comes in the metal case but it is sae(regular american tools?) and metric so i would think i would get less metric tools...

Maxam 101pc Metric Tool Set

this one is 25$ cheaper and is only metric.. i think

geolpilot · 02-15-2008

For that era Triumph, you need British Standard tools. They are neither metric or US standard. Back when I had a Triumph in the early 70s, I had to buy EXPENSIVE Snap-On tools as they were the only ones that I could find in British Standard. I think they cost almost as much as the bike. By the way, in case anyone doesn't know. Snap-On invented the removable socket tool concept in the early 1900s. That is why the company is called Snap-On, the sockets snap on.

walt · 02-15-2008

Back in the 60's I had a '54 650cc Triumph and later dropped a '59 Bonnie engine I had "slightly" modified into it.

I never did buy another tool set, just added some sizes. For instance, I had a 9/16" socket and a 5/8" socket in my 'Murican set. One was too small, one was too large. But a 19/32" sized socket fit several of the bolts on my bike. I did it this way on the advice of a commercial/wholesale tool and die place in Great Falls, Montana where I was in the USAF and on a tight budget.

I also bought a Whitworth tap and die set from them and cut a lot of my own bolts - if one was stripped I'd take it in, tell them what it was used for and they'd suggest a certain grade, order a blank, and when it came in I'd cut my own threads. Did Triumph still use Whitworth in 66?

geolpilot · 02-15-2008

I had a 1970 Daytona and it was nearly all Whitworth.

pipsta3yt · 02-15-2008

Refering to my "Buying First Bonneville (1966) Newbie Questions" thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandPaulZ

You may eventually need to acquire a few special tools, but probably only if the bike has significant problems. Otherwise a standard tool set and a set of Whitworth sockets and spanners will get you by.

I belive his word.

geolpilot · 02-16-2008

buy good quality tools or hire a good mechanic.

Hamr Mark · 02-16-2008

1 of the few things I have learned, and actually started to practice, is NOT TO CHEAP OUT ON TOOLS.

Sure set A is cheaper buy x amount of dollars, set B has more tools, but when you start stripping all the wrench heads, breaking screwdriver ends etc...you'll end up paying more for replacement, not to mention aggravation.

So, my $0.02, is save your $$$ and look for the deals on quality tools. Sears, Home Depot, Lowes etc all are looking for customers, and so they will regularly have quality tools on sale for half off etc...Shop smart, and you can shop often saving big $$$. ie...at X-mas, I picked up 2 torque wrenches for half off. A complete top of the line socket set for something like 55% off from $500 (or so)...And before you know it, you will have a tool box full of quality tools, that only look like they cost an arm and a leg. If you can't wait, or find a deal, suck it up and spend the money for a proper set of tools that will properly do the job. Do not use "the close enough' size, because that will be the one that breaks etc.

Baltobonneville · 02-16-2008

I don't know for sure, but I was under the impression that Whitworth bolts use a different nomenclature and threading, but the heads are "standard" inch sizes, you just have to know which size to use. Maybe someone else can confirm or deny this.

When I'm not sure about a hand tool, I tend to buy Craftsman (Sears) or Kobalt (Lowes), not too expensive and decent, predictable quality, mostly.

The cheap Chinese pliers, adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches are generally fine (not that I'd use an adjustable or a pipe wrench on a motorcycle!). For screwdrivers I look for a quality brand with a decent handle, cheap screwdrivers are bad news unless you're planning to use it in a way that destroys it anyway.

It also depends on how often you plan to use it. Depending on the tool and the application, you can sometimes get away with using a cheaper tool if it's used infrequently.

geolpilot · 02-16-2008

Yes, the Whitworth bolts and nuts and wrenches have inch designations like 1/2 inch etc. The catch is that the designation applies to the diameter of the bolt or something and has nothing to do with the bastard distance between the flats of the bolt head. You can't use American wrenches.

pipsta3yt · 02-16-2008

im starting to think it isnt worth buying this bike bcause i will ahve to buy so many tool just to do work on it.