Best wrenches for Motorcycles

[richfinn]

So, what's with all the long 3/8" extensions? Motorcycles, I don't know, but if he is working on PWC...

Dunno, Spark plugs and Cylinder Head bolts I would guess, I first saw the pics on GJ but they are all over the internet now!!!

it's a cool set up though and shows the difference between bike/car tech tools quite well

 

[cherrybomb]

Way,way back in the day before combos got as popular as they are today,the old timers used basically three styles of wrenches.They broke the fasteners loose with a double deep box,usually a bit longer if it fit for knuckle clearance. They also had the shorter length box.Once the fasteners were loose,out came the double open end for speed.Now it seems combos are the go to.So many choices,no right or wrong ,everyones situation is different

 

[ronkz650]

I have too many wrenches and motorcycles are my main vehicles to work on. I rarely use any of them, as 99% of the time a ratchet and socket can be fitted and work easier and better. All I have work fine. I have a complete set of USA made SK combination, all the Asahi Lightool in regular length combination and double open end, the KTC Profit combination, the extra long KTC M160 double box ends. They all work when I need them. I guess I would lean towards the KTC Profit and the long KTC M160 being my favorites. I don't like or use short wrenches. I even have the cheap Pittsburgh Harbor Freight and they work fine. Old USA Craftsman work fine as well. I've really never had a complaint or failure of any of them.

 

[Pinemarten]

I'm drifting away from short wrenches as Arthur Rytus has shown up! Swing clearance isn't that big a deal. Just flip the wrench over.

 

[mslim]

Full disclosure: not a pro mechanic,

I like my Stahlwille metric combos backed up by old USA Craftsmen. Sockets are 1/4 & 3/8 drive Facom. I have SnapOn in SAE from BITD when I sold my business and the Facom hold up well in comparison to the Snappies.

Onboard the BMW Airhead, I've packaged up most of the factory tools in a Kreiga roll instead of the OE vinyl. On old German bikes the factory tools are probably Heyco or Gedore, and date back to the time when the owner was expected to take care of maintenance himself.

I've added a Channellock multi screwdriver, Milton tire gauge, Grip On vise grip and a Knipex adjustable and ditched the German pattern pliers that I wouldn't use on any part of my bike. The Facom socket kit backs up anything the Kreiga roll can't do.

 

[tez929rr]

What kind of bike are you working on? I raced dirt bikes for years and have wrenched on many street bikes too. I'm not convinced you need "special" wrenches for motorcycles or even that you will use them much. Most fasteners are recessed and you need sockets - or more likely, T-handles.

T-handles are faster and give you a better feel. Especially if we're talking about bodywork or controls. It's not that you can't use wrenches on some fasteners, but there aren't many times when that's my first choice. I'm probably more likely to grab a Knipex pliers wrench than a combination wrench on the few times when that is necessary.

With sockets and T-handles, you get to use a six-point drive tool - that helps avoid damaging the coating, which is even more important than on a car since you're likely to see those fasteners.

I hadn’t thought about it but that’s correct for me as well. I have a small tool chest in my shop that I keep by the bikes and it only has a handful of ratcheting combination wrenches in it, but lots of sockets and drive tools. I have a set of those motion pro t handles but I rarely use them. I would probably use them more often if the shafts weren’t so long.

 

[CR888]

Wiha T handle nut drivers or MotionPro. Also Wiha T handle hex, torx ball hex etc.

 

[rd65]

From my KTM kit, the only wrench you really need

 

[jonesg]

My mind is not doing well, in my old age. I saw motorcycle and wrenches. My mind went off track and I thought I read wenches. My wife walked in the room and announced, "You never listen to me!" Well, that is what I assume she said.

you only hear what you want to hear.

Sure, I'l have another beer.

 

[kyrbz]

This is the only Snap On tool I own and it's my favorite 10mm wrench. Used to have a whole set of these plus some duplicates I bought in the early 80's, but that's another story.

 

[M6erfan]

^Saltus wrench

 

[cherrybomb]

Mslim had a great idea that I like.Using a Kreiga tool and piece meal the tools as needed.Only carry what works well.The saltus wrenches can help the question of where did my my 10mm. socket go?Don't even ask how I know

 

[Zeus36]

 

[joel63]

This is the only Snap On tool I own and it's my favorite 10mm wrench. Used to have a whole set of these plus some duplicates I bought in the early 80's, but that's another story.

Love those old script wrenches.

 

[Pinemarten]

^ Nice set of Honda tools for a Goldwing. It should probably have some SAE wrenches for helping out riders with
American bikes! I don't think I've ever seen a Goldwing broken down on the side of the road.

I always stop when I see a bike broken down. Usually it is an electrical issue, or something vibrated loose.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

So, I don’t do motorcycles but have done Vespas and other scooters. My Heyco combination wrenches aren’t the prettiest but they absolutely fit the tightest of all the wrenches I have owned. But that isn’t always a good thing. My personal favorites are the classic Gedore 7s. Slim, light, and they have a very grippy finish. Plus they have pretty tight open and closed ends. I have Stahlwille at work (DOE and DBE, no need for combos) and they are sweet too. I’ve always wanted to try the Wera Jokers but just haven’t found a need for more wrenches.

 

[kyrbz]

So, I don’t do motorcycles but have done Vespas and other scooters. My Heyco combination wrenches aren’t the prettiest but they absolutely fit the tightest of all the wrenches I have owned. But that isn’t always a good thing. My personal favorites are the classic Gedore 7s. Slim, light, and they have a very grippy finish. Plus they have pretty tight open and closed ends. I have Stahlwille at work (DOE and DBE, no need for combos) and they are sweet too. I’ve always wanted to try the Wera Jokers but just haven’t found a need for more wrenches.

Your avatar always sticks out for me. I’m kinda into mid century Italian lightweight motorcycles and scooters and have an Iso 125GT motorcycle. Mostly the same engine as the Iso scooters used.

 

[Beemer]

My tool box is full of SAE and Metric tools that don't care what they are working on.
That would drive me crazy checking, let alone remembering, which tool was intended for which vehicle.
Then throw in vintage Britbikes and it can get even worse. Therapy is expensive.
I'm too old to be a tool snob and not strong enough to break tools anymore, so it's vintage Craftsmen and SK.

 

[F-22]

Super cool, how they put thought into making the handle for it too. And it's not blow-moulded, it looks like the inner part is screwed onto the outer part so that box actually cost a fair bit to make and assemble in the factory!

Would be super cool if it contained nepros-grade polished tools, but I guess nice tools wouldn't be a selling point at all for the Goldwing. At least chrome plated instead of that zinc/cadmium....

 

[tez929rr]

Super cool, how they put thought into making the handle for it too. And it's not blow-moulded, it looks like the inner part is screwed onto the outer part so that box actually cost a fair bit to make and assemble in the factory!

Would be super cool if it contained nepros-grade polished tools, but I guess nice tools wouldn't be a selling point at all for the Goldwing. At least chrome plated instead of that zinc/cadmium....

When the RC30 was a flagship bike for Honda they included a relatively complete tool kit in a nice roll. Still those same mediocre quality tools, though. Nowadays people restoring bikes are paying crazy money for them and there of course are fake kits showing up now.

 

[F-22]

When the RC30 was a flagship bike for Honda they included a relatively complete tool kit in a nice roll. Still those same mediocre quality tools, though. Nowadays people restoring bikes are paying crazy money for them and there of course are fake kits showing up now.

Amazed it had a ratchet and sockets. I actually have a bunch of Honda wrenches and pliers and screwdrivers from various old bikes I bought through the years. I always put those aside. But never thought they put a ratchet in too.

I even have a Honda first aid kit. They put them into their Indian Honda bikes (probably helped a lot there, where people would never buy those on their own). Somehow a new Indian Honda 110 found its way into Europe and I bought it... Paid 600€ which is still about 100€ more than it costs brand new in India.

 

[tez929rr]

Amazed it had a ratchet and sockets. I actually have a bunch of Honda wrenches and pliers and screwdrivers from various old bikes I bought through the years. I always put those aside. But never thought they put a ratchet in too.

I even have a Honda first aid kit. They put them into their Indian Honda bikes (probably helped a lot there, where people would never buy those on their own). Somehow a new Indian Honda 110 found its way into Europe and I bought it... Paid 600€ which is still about 100€ more than it costs brand new in India.

I have replaced all the OEM tool kits over the years with other small sets, and stored the OEM tools. A while back I tried to gather up all the RC30 tools and put them back in the roll. Guess which socket was missing.

 

[rd65]

Saw my official KTM tool pouch while cleaning up in the shop, so I thought I would take a pic.

 

[kyrbz]

Not a wrench, but I would think anyone who works on Japanese bikes would want one of these in their tool box. A Vessel JIS Impacta Impact screwdriver

 

[Caa311]

Used just about everything over the years. Just bought these to put beside my stahwille 14's. Wish I had access to the Japanese tools in the 80's.

 

[F-22]

Wish I had access to the Japanese tools in the 80's.

Probably wasn't the same quality though. Japanese tools weren't always as good, not sure when the biggest quality difference came.