What's in Your Toolbox?

[busa_black]

I am just beginning to work on my bike@ home. I really don't want to pay my local shop to turn a wrench on every small project that I want done. I am a novice mechanic at best. Besides a Hayabusa tool kit, a 3/8 ratchet set, dremel, 3/8 drill, an allen wrench set. What else do would you recommend for someone doing small projects at home?

 

[BusaWhipped]

1/2" and 3/8" torque wrenches, 1/2" drive ratchet set, 36mm 1/2" drive socket, a front axle tool.

 

[aussiekeeper]

Gotta' 7 foot roll-around, packed. Plus specialty stuff. Welders, steel cutters, torches, etc..........

 

[expat1970]

dont forget a test light and a good mult-meter for electrical work and a torque wrench

 

[V-Max 2 Busa]

Here's a cheapy but a necessity in my opinion, when it's time for new brake pads these little C-clamps work great for pushing the pistons back into the calipers to provide enough space for the new pads. About $2 each, can't beat that. (I use a small piece of wood/plastic between C-clamp end and caliper housing to prevent scratching/scaring of the housing)

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[cipher5791]

I have abot three of them in my garage. Some tools I have had since I starting tinkering with cars. (17 years ago)

Make sure you have a socket set on hand. Can never go wrong. Plenty of patience too.

 

[teddypenn]

+100 on the torque wrenches. i learned the hard way that everyone should have those if youre doin youre own wrenching. those, along with basic screwdriver sets, metric socket sets, and some pliers is all you need for the general do-it-yourself maintenance. good luck to ya, and dont forget to ask the .org for advice (we all need it from time to time and everyone here is GREAT with the help).

 

[ogre]

a bunch of snap on stuff. i'm a tech by trade, lol. cordless impact and a good screw gun.

 

[AJAY]

The most important tool in my toolbox is shown below. Good beer doesn't come with a screw cap or in a can. In a pinch, a pair of dykes works pretty well...speaking from experience.

 

[busa_black]

I guess I should start with a toolbox and a service/workshop manual for the bike? I'll have to look around have a torque wrench. I have been reading that most bolts have to torqued to a certain number.

 

[Busakid08]

81/2 inches on a good day

 

[Mr Brown]

You can download a service manual. Do a search. I have an old laptop I keep in the garage with only bike specific stuff on it, service manuals, Dynojet software etc. Also get a good set of T-handle hex head wrenches, some nut drivers and a box of metric fasteners. Emery cloth, shop towels and old t-shirts or socks for rags, carb and brake cleaner, separate funnels for oil and coolant, hose clamps, hi-temp gasket maker, loctite, electrical tape and connectors.

 

[busa_black]

You can download a service manual. Do a search. I have an old laptop I keep in the garage with only bike specific stuff on it, service manuals, Dynojet software etc. Also get a good set of T-handle hex head wrenches, some nut drivers and a box of metric fasteners. Emery cloth, shop towels and old t-shirts or socks for rags, carb and brake cleaner, separate funnels for oil and coolant, hose clamps, hi-temp gasket maker, loctite, electrical tape and connectors.

I bought a netbook for my bike.. I use it in the garage when I'm tinkering. The book is a handy reference though. The only hard part is keeping the book clean.

 

[dolilind]

about 50k in tools, just what every autobody tech/painter needs

 

[BIG GUY]

A good set of stands of if you have the spare room and the extra cash a nice lift table would help out a lot when working on the bike. A good set of torque wrenches, socket big enough to remove/adjust the rear wheel is a good place to start.

 

[busa_black]

A good set of stands of if you have the spare room and the extra cash a nice lift table would help out a lot when working on the bike. A good set of torque wrenches, socket big enough to remove/adjust the rear wheel is a good place to start.

My buddy has this one from Harbor Freight.. His lift is Air/Hydraulic.

 

[m_ridgeway]

buy something like the kits craftsmen offers at sears. i picked one up last time i was there for my work truck. someting 200pcs for 100 bucks. it was 50 off. watch for sales like that and helps to add to your toolbox and gives you doubles of the commonly used stuff you may already have.

 

[busa_black]

buy something like the kits craftsmen offers at sears. i picked one up last time i was there for my work truck. someting 200pcs for 100 bucks. it was 50 off. watch for sales like that and helps to add to your toolbox and gives you doubles of the commonly used stuff you may already have.

Yeah I've been talking to my wife about it. We've owned a home for 8 yrs. and my tool collection sucks. I was trying to get tools as a household expense, but she didn't go for the banana in the tailpipe.

 

[majestic12]

+1 on the multi meter you don't have to go nuts on one. Just the $15 digital and a $8 analog, they both have their place.

For the torque wrench spend the extra money and get a good one, impropr torque is an easy way to mess up an instalation (I know). Don't get the one that mesures torque by deflection.!!

That is all I have to add.

 

[billyerds01]

socket set, hexs, screwdrivers, wd40, a really good stand. Just a quick plug. I'm so happy with my widetire stand I got from Ian at Redline. Must have.