Show me motorcycle mechanic tools

[orangefury]

No amount of PB blaster is going to help if the fastener is galled, hence the reason for anti-seize. If a fastener critical then safety wire it (I do this with my rear axle nut). Yes I have lost a few bolts because I didn't use Loctite 243.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

torque adapters

 

[Altec]

PB Blaster and gradual controlled force will not damage a fastener as bad as an airtool. If needed, a hand held impact driver will provide a finer level of control than an impact gun or air ratchet.

Yeah, that is just not correct. A seized/rusted fastener with gradual force will be way more likely to shear then with the use of a impact wrench. The viberating action of a Impact works much better. I have come to this conclusion after many years of working on rusty old cars, and farm equipment.

Find yourself a old exhaust manifold with the flange bolted to it. Hose the nuts down with blaster, and try a breaker bar. Then try a 1/2 impact.

And damage to the head of the fastener is the result of power quality tools, or fastener. Plus, it probably needed replacing anyway of it was stuck enough to cause visible damage...

 

[t100]

there are harley RIDERS and then there are weekend posers with to many credit cards that have NEVER turned on bolt on a bike.

 

[ibedayank]

Maybe the case for British bikes, but for an American V-Twin or a large displacement single cylinder Japanese dirt bike loctite, is your friend NOT anti-seize. Have fun getting stuck in the middle of no where, cuz an important bolt/nut vibrated it self off.

PB Blaster and gradual controlled force will not damage a fastener as bad as an airtool. If needed, a hand held impact driver will provide a finer level of control than an impact gun or air ratchet.

done correctly there is not a problem....
antisieze on the SHOULDER of the bolt not the threads... threads are for locktite if needed....

Have you ever worked in a pro bike shop?
the guy i work for have been doing this over 40 years. have you

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.168134343230941.34509.100001031289193&l=8c7a947188&type=1

 

[jk47]

done correctly there is not a problem....
antisieze on the SHOULDER of the bolt not the threads... threads are for locktite if needed....

Have you ever worked in a pro bike shop?
the guy i work for have been doing this over 40 years. have you

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.168134343230941.34509.100001031289193&l=8c7a947188&type=1

No, I have never worked in a "Pro" bike shop.... 40 years working on British bikes doesn't equal the "God of all Bikes." Sorry if you are learning in one dimension from your boss, but American V-twins/Japanese thumpers need loctite more than they need anti-seize. Safety wire is the best solution, but not always an easy one.

The people that have taught me have over 200 years of experience from Italian, German, Japanese, and American motorcycles, does that me more knowledgeable than you???? NO!!!Just more well rounded perhaps...

 

[jk47]

Yeah, that is just not correct. A seized/rusted fastener with gradual force will be way more likely to shear then with the use of a impact wrench. The viberating action of a Impact works much better. I have come to this conclusion after many years of working on rusty old cars, and farm equipment.

Find yourself a old exhaust manifold with the flange bolted to it. Hose the nuts down with blaster, and try a breaker bar. Then try a 1/2 impact.

And damage to the head of the fastener is the result of power quality tools, or fastener. Plus, it probably needed replacing anyway of it was stuck enough to cause visible damage...

Farm equipment and cars use fasteners that are larger. Motorcycles need a lot more finesse. I work in the oil field and use 1/2" and 3/4" drive all the time, but it would be insane to try and bust a 5/16" fastener on a motorcycle with a 1/2" impact. If you read my post you would know that I stated that a hand held impact driver is OK.

 

[ibedayank]

jk47 you might want to google S&G custom cycles of columbia TN my boss also works there


we sell parts for british bikes does not mean there are not other kinds that are owned or worked on
if i need info on a bike no problem on make i know guys that work on them in the shops...even the local HD dealership

you forgot spanish bikes... like a dERBI OR mONTESSA

if your so rounded on knowage of bikes tell me who made the Silk and about how many were made

 

[jk47]

jk47 you might want to google S&G custom cycles of columbia TN my boss also works there


we sell parts for british bikes does not mean there are not other kinds that are owned or worked on
if i need info on a bike no problem on make i know guys that work on them in the shops...even the local HD dealership

you forgot spanish bikes... like a dERBI OR mONTESSA

if your so rounded on knowage of bikes tell me who made the Silk and about how many were made

I could care less about Silk motorcycles, that's fine if you enjoy them, but again it's another UK/British bike. I had to use google...

No experience with Spanish bikes, not even GasGas

 

[ibedayank]

jk47...
stick to working the oilfeilds as you have shown you really don't know **** about motorcycles
listening to your weekend wrench buddies is far from asking a PRO who does this work 8 hours a day 5 days a week for the past 40 years... me I am 37 and by talking to the older guys i have learned more in the last 4 years about bikes by being around REAL bikers/riders not the weekend posers that couldnt even tell you a camshaft from a reed valve

 

[CHRIS LUCKYMAN]

Middle aged greasemonkey with a chip on his shoulder. Sounds like a fun guy to hang out with.

 

[jk47]

jk47...
stick to working the oilfeilds as you have shown you really don't know **** about motorcycles
listening to your weekend wrench buddies is far from asking a PRO who does this work 8 hours a day 5 days a week for the past 40 years... me I am 37 and by talking to the older guys i have learned more in the last 4 years about bikes by being around REAL bikers/riders not the weekend posers that couldnt even tell you a camshaft from a reed valve

I worked as an auto tech for 7 years... I started because I loved anything on wheels, but after wrenching everyday, I lost the passion. I rode and wrenched on motorcycles before I had a drivers license.

Two of my so called weekend wrench buddies were privateer professional AMA Superbike racers in the 80's, that raced against the likes of Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey. I have friends that are Harley tech, a BMW tech, a Ducati tech, and a Honda tech. Each of them have different ways to do the same thing.

As for the oil field, the work is quite lucrative, and allows me to enjoy my wheels on my down time. Working 300-400 hours a month is no joke, but the 2 weeks I get off at a time are sweet.

Too bad 2-smokes are practically extinct... I think the better comparison would be reed valve and valve...

 

[ibedayank]

jk47... we agree to disagree...and right now way things are going working the oilfeilds you make more the the average cycle wrench...biz is SLOW...
as far as how i do things ...what the BOSS says.... I do and do his way its his name on the checks. If he says call sam to find out how to do it...i call Sam of s&g

 

[ibedayank]

Middle aged greasemonkey with a chip on his shoulder. Sounds like a fun guy to hang out with.

yeah I am smart enough to shut up and listen to those that have been there and done that so i can learn from them and not make stupid mistakes that cost money when all i had to do was ask and be told/shown the right way.

And I would rather be a middle aged grease monkey that does what i really enjoy for a boss that is the best i have ever worked for. Then work a job I hate in an office doing nothing but sitting on my ***.....

 

[jk47]

jk47... we agree to disagree...and right now way things are going working the oilfeilds you make more the the average cycle wrench...biz is SLOW...
as far as how i do things ...what the BOSS says.... I do and do his way its his name on the checks. If he says call sam to find out how to do it...i call Sam of s&g

OK, I agree to a cease fire

I do have a bit of a short fuse... I'm 34 years old and in management now. In the last year I have seen people from all walks of life come through the doors applying for jobs, telling me they can do this and that. Very few actually can walk the walk. I still go out in the field to train and operate our units when we are short handed. The guys really appreciate me going out and putting in real work in -30 degree weather, they know I'm not an office *****.

Some of the older guys had problems taking orders from a younger fella, but when I show them a quicker and more efficient way. They thank me for making their life easier. Every day I learn something new, and pass it on to my guys to try out. If I had only listened to a single person tell me what to do, I would not be where I am today.

I'm very fortunate to be doing well in this **** economy, and hope to be restoring bikes and exporting them in 5 years. Working for myself and doing what I love.

 

[Altec]

Farm equipment and cars use fasteners that are larger. Motorcycles need a lot more finesse. I work in the oil field and use 1/2" and 3/4" drive all the time, but it would be insane to try and bust a 5/16" fastener on a motorcycle with a 1/2" impact. If you read my post you would know that I stated that a hand held impact driver is OK.

I'm aware that some applications have larger hardware then others. It isn't a question of what it is on, but simply what it is.

A 1/2 impact for a 5/16 bolt is ridiculous. And that is why they make 3/8, 1/4, and 1/4 hex impacts. I have a 18volt Dewalt impact for this very purpose.

The best use for a hand impact is things like Phillips that cam out, or Torx where the bit not being fully seated can make for a bad day (Been there...).

Although my post was aimed at your "gradual controlled force" comment. Not you talking about a impact driver. Which is why I stated in my post "A seized/rusted fastener with gradual force will be way more likely to shear then with the use of a impact wrench."

 

[j.c.whitney]

I've a set of Craftsman ignition wrenches that are invaluable for adjusting cables and other small hard to reach or inaccessible linkages. Work great on jets, drains, etc on caburetors as well. Probably the premium tool makers sell a similar set, ignition wrenches are usually real thin and real handy for certain jobs where a full wdth wrench won't fit or work.

 

[ephotrod]

So have we figured out who can piss farther yet? Or do you'll still have a little juice left to fight?

 

[ibedayank]

So have we figured out who can piss farther yet? Or do you'll still have a little juice left to fight?

fight... humm well i dont see anyone with hard feelings here about anything.
What better way to learn than get others opinions on things so you can make a better informed choice...
that being said as long as my boss is signing the check I will do it HIS way. end of the story.

 

[sammon287]

As has been mentioned, you need a carb synchronizer. I recommend the Morgan Carbtune due to the lack of toxic mercury and the fact thatit's made in England. It was reasonably priced even with shipping from the UK.

http://www.carbtune.com/

 

[-Z-]

The single most used tools I remember using were T-handles. As others have said in this thread, T-handle stuff is an absolute must.

What’s the rationale behind all these recommendations for t-handle tools for motorcycles?

 

[KenS]

What’s the rationale behind all these recommendations for t-handle tools for motorcycles?

While the following videos are racetrack specific, they show why bike mechanics love tee-handles and also basic motorcycle tools.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 specific toolbox...

Yahama R6 specific toolbox...

Another Yahama R6 specific toolbox...

Another Yamaha box...

Aprilla specific toolbox...

Honda specific toolbox...

Ducati Toolbox Part 1...

Ducati ToolboxPart 2...

Ducati Toolbox Part 3...

 

[arbadacarba]

Just a quick point, you need a torque wrench in inch pounds not foot pounds.

As for T handles, I use mine, but not terribly often. They are for Speed, not power.

 

[BK13]

When you guys say 'T handles' do you mean something sized for an individual sized fastener (say, 8mm) or something with a 1/4 or 3/8" square? Any particular brands/sources?

 

[JeremyManning]

When you guys say 'T handles' do you mean something sized for an individual sized fastener (say, 8mm) or something with a 1/4 or 3/8" square? Any particular brands/sources?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SNAP-ON-TOOL...h=item53f486902f&vxp=mtr&_uhb=1#ht_1473wt_922

This is the setup I prefer with some extensions

 

[KenS]

When you guys say 'T handles' do you mean something sized for an individual sized fastener (say, 8mm) or something with a 1/4 or 3/8" square? Any particular brands/sources?

Motion Pro t-handles...

 

[BK13]

Cool, man, thanks!

 

[lwlobo]

Once again, Dan has a lot of really good experienced advice on the subject on his motorcycle repair site:

http://www.dansmc.com/tools.htm

http://www.dansmc.com/tools2.htm

http://www.dansmc.com/special_tools.htm

http://www.dansmc.com/special_tools_2.htm

http://www.dansmc.com/impactdriver.htm

 

[MDSPHOTO]

You will need this. The simplest, greatest invention in years for changing your oil!

http://www.formafunnel.com/buyNow.html

 

[premis]

A good exhaust spring tool will save your knuckles. I like this one.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/71/995/5017/ITEM/Motion-Pro-Spring-Hook-Tool.aspx

Some other good ones:
Stud removers
Tap & die set
Piston wrist pin remover
Small flat blade screwdriver with rotating handle cap (for carb adjustments)
Feeler gauges for valve clearance
Gasket scraper - I prefer one small one and one with a longer handle
Multi-meter

 

[premis]

I raced motocross for 14 years and wrenched on all my stuff, I never understood the love of T-handles. I always used a cordless impact, I used it 90% of the time with sockets. You do have to be slightly careful when tightening small (under 6mm) and sensitive bolts. Other than that, it's awesome and fast

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VZLX5K/?tag=atomicindus08-20