Kowa T Handle Socket Wrenches

[Vintage Veloce]

I have wanted a set of T-handle socket wrenches forever. Well, since I first saw the pro motorcycle racing teams using them in the 1980s.

If you aren't familiar with these, they are just great for removing long threaded bolts, like motorcycle engine case bolts and screws. After you break the bolt loose, you can spin a T handle wrench and remove the bolt much faster than you can with a socket.

There are lots available now, cheap ones on eBay and more expensive ones. I was assuming I should buy Motion Pro brand.

But then I found an interesting article about the history of these T handle wrenches here: https://motorcycleproject.com/text/kowa_tools.html
Apparently the factory teams used wrenches made be Kowa, and the tools were sold through the Honda tool catalog.

So I found a set of Kowa's and bought them. They are nice, but I can't rally say they are "better" than the Motion Pro ones, just different. I do like that they are normal depth sockets, and the phillips head drivers are also very important.

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I like them!

 

[old_smokey]

I’ve got the motion pro ones and have been tempted to try these as well. Nothing wrong with MP per day but the finish is awful. There’s a bunch of dings in them as well. Overall very cheap looking. They’re also deep sockets which seems more annoying than useful.


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[Vintage Veloce]

A couple more pics.
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[toolchaser]

I've got a set of Kowa T handles & a set of Kowa- Seki offset double box end wrenches. The motorcycle shop I ran the race team out of had a metric hardware vendor that carried them & Hazet at really good prices. Should have bought more...story of my life

 

[Vintage Veloce]

While I like the Kowa T-handles, here are my two disappointments:
- They are chrome, but the finish is rough. For the price, I think they should be polished.
- The top of the "T" is welded to the shaft. The heat from welding has bent the top of the T slightly on some of the wrenches. It's barely noticeable, but I wish they weren't bent.

 

[toolchaser]

I agree about the finish, although it is helpful if your hands are oily,( usually not an issue on a race machine). Mine are straight , no welding warp , but mine are almost 35 years old

 

[M6erfan]

My racing buddy has a set of those Kowa T handles (a couple decades old). I agree the finish is kind of rough, quality just doesn't seem great IMO.

I kind of wanted a set just because they seem nostalgic. But my M12 driver with long bits does everything T handles can do, but better/faster. T handles FTW though, because no batteries!

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I agree about the finish, although it is helpful if your hands are oily,( usually not an issue on a race machine). Mine are straight , no welding warp , but mine are almost 35 years old

I'm really curious how they have changed, if at all. Please post pics!
The warp is very slight and only really noticeable on the philips drivers that are thinner... I suspect most wouldn't notice it.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I kind of wanted a set just because they seem nostalgic. But my M12 driver with long bits does everything T handles can do, but better/faster.

No power tools touch my vintage vehicles. And I'd prefer them to not hit my modern ones either. But I know for professionals time is money, so I get that.

 

[M6erfan]

No power tools touch my vintage vehicles. And I'd prefer them to not hit my modern ones either. But I know for professionals time is money, so I get that.

I'm not a pro, just a home gamer really. I hear ya though. I take preservation of original fasteners seriously on my vintage bikes. But if they're already buggered I have at it with the M12. If they're in good shape I generally crack loose with a screwdriver/wrench, then finish zipping off the however many screws with the M12.

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL makes these as well. I thought about buying them but passed. Can't say that I'm sorry that I did. They just seem too old school to me. I have a 1/4" T-handle that you simply put sockets on that basically does the same thing. One tool instead of 12.

 

[old_smokey]

TOPTUL makes these as well. I thought about buying them but passed. Can't say that I'm sorry that I did. They just seem too old school to me. I have a 1/4" T-handle that you simply put sockets on that basically does the same thing. One tool instead of 12.

Or you could have them all [emoji2957]




The spinner style that take sockets are really nice actually. Even the 1/2” which I thought I’d never use, gets regular action. I work mostly on vintage bikes and there are lots of funny large, low torque stuff that it’s awesome for. For example, on my XT500 there is a plastic timing inspection cap with a 22mm head. This thing is perfect for spinning it on/off while maintaining good feel so I don’t overdo the plastic threads.


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[tez929rr]

I’ve got the motion pro ones and have been tempted to try these as well. Nothing wrong with MP per day but the finish is awful. There’s a bunch of dings in them as well. Overall very cheap looking. They’re also deep sockets which seems more annoying than useful.

I also have a set and it seems like they are almost never the right tool for the job. Sure look good, though, hanging on the side of the cart.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I have one with a 1/4" square drive. But the wobble of the socket on the end is an annoyance sometimes.
I really think these are best for motorcycle case screws and bolts, you have lots of access to the side of the bike, and long threads that need to be turned.
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I can't tell you how many times I have disconnected my ratchet from the extension and spun the extension in my fingers to wind out the bolt. These will work much better. ;-)

 

[Al Borland]

And why wouldn't I use my spinner handle, or a drill/driver?

 

[Vintage Veloce]

And why wouldn't I use my spinner handle, or a drill/driver?

Do you work on motorcycles? I think it's a motorcycle thing. Obviously you can use lots of other tools for the same purpose.

Here a silly video with a factory mechanic blathering about them. ;-)

 

[X1 Mike]

I have both the Kowa and SAE and Metric Motion Pro ones. Not sure if I like the Kowa’s more because they’re rare and I’ve had them since probably 1990ish or if they are better. I saw a post on social media a while back from Mitch Payton saying that Pro Circuit was going to be importing them.

T-handles are great on dirt bikes, sliders basically ****. Strip all the plastics and seats in no time. You can get enough torque that you don’t need another tool to break loose.


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[dnschmidt]

Taking that case cover off is something I think my M12 impact driver could do in about 30 seconds. I don't think a T-handle is faster than that.

 

[X1 Mike]

Taking that case cover off is something I think my M12 impact driver could do in about 30 seconds. I don't think a T-handle is faster than that.

The M12 will never have the feel that you will with a T-Handle. Plus there is just something about spinning a T that is so satisfying.

Why not have them both? I do. With that reasoning you wouldn't have any use for a ratchet.

 

[old_smokey]

I would use the m12 for removal, but when installing bolts into an aluminum case I prefer t handles as it’s not as easy to accidentally strip the case threads. Or a mix of both I guess - get em started with a power tool and finish them off with a t handle


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[dnschmidt]

I don't need feel to take things apart and when I put them back together I spin them down to 1 ugga dugga and finish the job with a good torque wrench. Who needs "feel" when you've got precision instruments?

 

[old_smokey]

You don't! Just a personal preference I'd say. I got on just fine before I had t-handles. Now I have em and really enjoy using them. But your way sounds perfectly fine as well. Different strokes i suppose.

Also, I like the term ugga dugga haha. Gonna have to use that one.

 

[M6erfan]

When I use a 12v on case covers it's usually...

-Impact for removal (sometimes a hand impact is used though)

-Adjustable clutched driver for install, on a low setting. I've got it down where I can get consistent 6-7 ft/lbs of torque on M6 fasteners. I start the screws by hand and I also keep the rotation speed way down to eliminate galling. High quality bits are crucial.

Still, I think T handles are cool, just seems like limited utility in todays world. They do look great hanging on their rack though.

 

[Sal Bandini]

Or just use a Zyklop

 

[X1 Mike]

I don't need feel to take things apart and when I put them back together I spin them down to 1 ugga dugga and finish the job with a good torque wrench. Who needs "feel" when you've got precision instruments?

If you don't see the need for them in your life I'd suggest that you don't buy a set. This is specifically referring to working on motorcycles and there pretty much is no mechanic for a professional racer that doesn't rely on them daily. I can walk up to my bike with an 8mm and 10mm in my belt loops and get my controls and bars all adjusted to my liking. Get the seat and all the bodywork off then back on. If they didn't sell them I would make some.

 

[dnschmidt]

Buy the way TOPTUL makes T-handle nutdrivers that I use all the time. Check out this link: https://www.toptul.com/en/product-519790/8PCS-Hex-Nut-Driver-T-Handle-Set.html

They also make sliding T-handle socket wrenches: https://www.toptul.com/en/product-325535/Sliding-T-Handle-Socket-Wrench.html

And for the application you're talking about they make a three way T-handle you should love: https://www.toptul.com/en/product-339064/Mini-3-Way-T-Handle-Socket-Wrench.html

 

[M6erfan]

If you don't see the need for them in your life I'd suggest that you don't buy a set. This is specifically referring to working on motorcycles and there pretty much is no mechanic for a professional racer that doesn't rely on them daily. I can walk up to my bike with an 8mm and 10mm in my belt loops and get my controls and bars all adjusted to my liking. Get the seat and all the bodywork off then back on. If they didn't sell them I would make some.

Don't know if I'd go that far. I run with and spend a lot of time with guys that have been racing for decades and a few who own their own pro shops. Seeing T handles in use isn't very common IME. I've been racing and wrenching MX bikes for 35 years, never owned a set.

Now, I'm not saying they're not used by some people, but I don't see them at the track or in shops all that often (I do see them more at the track than shops though). Personally I'm mostly dealing with vintage bikes, lots of PH2 &PH3 fasteners on older bikes. Modern bikes have a lot more hex head fasteners which is where T-Handles make more sense.

Edit: Not for nothin', but you think Motion Pro sponsors a (just a) few of the Pro teams?

 

[X1 Mike]

Don't know if I'd go that far. I run with and spend a lot of time with guys that have been racing for decades and a few who own their own pro shops. Seeing T handles in use isn't very common IME. I've been racing and wrenching MX bikes for 35 years, never owned a set.

Now, I'm not saying they're not used by some people, but I don't see them at the track or in shops all that often. But I'm mostly dealing with vintage bikes, lots of PH2 &PH3 fasteners on older bikes. Modern bikes have a lot more hex head fasteners which is where T-Handles make more sense.

What exactly is a "Pro shop"? lol

Trust me, if you go to a supercross or pro national motocross every mechanic will have a set of "T's."

Pro tech talking about his most used tools.

Pro tech making a badass titanium T.

That one was just a prototype but if you really want to go Gucci. Four hundred bucks but I kinda want a set.

https://factorywrenchtools.com/shop-tools/ols/products/titanium-t-handles

"The Titanium T-Handle idea was sparked to life on January 17th, 2020 at the Anaheim 2 Supercross press day. While delivering tools to some of the Factory Technicians it was obvious the T-Handle was their go-to tool for most jobs. Titanium was everywhere on the Factory Bikes, yet the technicians didn't have the trick metal for their T-Handles. The first sample 8mm Titanium T-handle was made by Factory Wrench® and delivered to C-Lo at the 2020 San Diego Supercross. It tested far superior to what was previously being used and received rave reviews by all the Factory Technicians that tried it. The technicians carry the T-Handles during the day, the goal was to lighten thier load while delivering trick tools they can be proud of owning."

 

[M6erfan]

What exactly is a "Pro shop"? lol

Trust me, if you go to a supercross or pro national motocross every mechanic will have a set of "T's."

Pro tech talking about his most used tools.

Pro tech making a badass titanium T.

That one was just a prototype but if you really want to go Gucci. Four hundred bucks but I kinda want a set.

https://factorywrenchtools.com/shop-tools/ols/products/titanium-t-handles

"The Titanium T-Handle idea was sparked to life on January 17th, 2020 at the Anaheim 2 Supercross press day. While delivering tools to some of the Factory Technicians it was obvious the T-Handle was their go-to tool for most jobs. Titanium was everywhere on the Factory Bikes, yet the technicians didn't have the trick metal for their T-Handles. The first sample 8mm Titanium T-handle was made by Factory Wrench® and delivered to C-Lo at the 2020 San Diego Supercross. It tested far superior to what was previously being used and received rave reviews by all the Factory Technicians that tried it. The technicians carry the T-Handles during the day, the goal was to lighten thier load while delivering trick tools they can be proud of owning."

A shop that build and maintain MX and enduro bikes for pro/sponsored riders. Mostlyngine building, & suspension work, but also machine shop, fabrication, etc. They get paid to do it and make a great living.

 

[mazdeuce]

I want those Ti T handles. I don't need them, but I do want them.

 

[alfazer]

I love my fixed T-handles for motorcycles. I only have one Motion Pro, a 1/4" square drive socket spinner but I don't find the spinner handle on the shaft all that useful. I prefer being able to turn the shaft between finger and thumb. In fact, I think I was designing them I would have a little knurled section maybe 2 inches below the handle, similar to my Vessel JIS screwdriver.

 

[M6erfan]

I love my fixed T-handles for motorcycles. I only have one Motion Pro, a 1/4" square drive socket spinner but I don't find the spinner handle on the shaft all that useful. I prefer being able to turn the shaft between finger and thumb. In fact, I think I was designing them I would have a little knurled section maybe 2 inches below the handle, similar to my Vessel JIS screwdriver.

+1 on the knurling

 

[X1 Mike]

A shop that build and maintain MX and enduro bikes for pro/sponsored riders. Mostlyngine building, & suspension work, but also machine shop, fabrication, etc. They get paid to do it and make a great living.

I knew what you were trying to say. Everyone that does it for money is a pro. I was referring to the pros you see on tv every Saturday night. The tip of the spear as it were.

 

[M6erfan]

I knew what you were trying to say. Everyone that does it for money is a pro. I was referring to the pros you see on tv every Saturday night. The tip of the spear as it were.

Yup, I got ya.

Speaking of pro's, I was really bummed when one of the best mechanics I knew retired earlier this year. He hung up his shingle in 1974 and sadly was in a bad accident late last year (doing a high speed jetting test on a customer's racing ATV). He was a suspension master and a great machinist too. That guy had so much knowledge, a 2 stroke guru. I have no doubt he spun a few T-handles in his day.

 

[X1 Mike]

I found a video that shows the usefulness far better than I could explain. I don't agree with all his techniques when framing a bike but even though the video is a little fast you can see it saves some time and keeps tools and clutter to a minimum. He sets the T-handles in the footpegs and I always do that. I would say that one of the handiest things is that you are basically using an extension every time you use one so your hands are away from ouchy things. Also there is no switching between socket sizes popping the socket off, locating an extension. You can see he tears the bike down with maybe 10 tools total. If you are working on something that requires a lot of different sizes they are less useful.

I also have a set of the Blue Point Turbo T-Handles with the collar that rides on bearings. The best use I have for that is adjusting a Harley-Davidson clutch. It has enough heft and spins fast enough that it seats with just the right pressure before you back it out a 1/2 a turn or so.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Tur...ive-Turbo-T-Handle-Set-(Blue-Point)/TURBOT103

 

[Under_Pressure]

I keep one of these in 1/4" drive in my motorcycle toolbox and one each in 1/4" and 3/8" in my main toolbox, mostly used for non-motorcycle tasks. The drive on the handle end lets you get a bit of extra leverage to break a fastener loose before switching to the regular configuration and spinning it out. Love t-handles when access allows.

https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0359

 

[captmoto]

Holy dead thread Batman!! I'm that weird guy that had to have not 1, but 2, 13mm Kowa T handles. I ordered them direct from Japan. I wouldn't need the 13 if I hadn't bought a Husqvarna. Everything 12mm on a Japanese bike is a 13mm on a Husky/KTM/GasGas. I've been using T handles since the early 80's. A ratchet, extension and sockets are too may moving pieces for me on track days.

 

[JradM]

I thought this was a fun thread to revive. T-handles are a weird tool - but I really like using them.

I've been racing bikes for years. If I were to make an argument for their utility, its mostly for case bolts or checking over my bike before a ride/race. It's not a tool with much crossover in my opinion - I don't use them for automotive wrenching.

They're fun and give a very tactile sensation for torquing. Maybe that's part of it. Someone mentioned using a torque wrench instead - really? There are a ton of bolts for bodywork and engine cases, all need relatively low torque but have long threads. I doubt many pro mechanics are using a torque wrench on those.

I have the motion pro set going on 20 years now. I would entertain an upgrade if there's something worth the money. My Motion Pros are pretty good though - kind of a satin chrome finish without any dimples or flaws like was mentioned.

I really like that T-handle rack in the first post! I just bought the Olsa tools rack and it does not work well for me at all. The gap in the middle is too far apart, so my T-handles fall out if I bump them.

 

[CR888]

I have a set of Wiha metric T-handles with hex sockets, Torx and meteix hex. They are brilliant for small engine work. If you think a Chinese Milwaukee impact has made these hand tools redundant, well you just don't get it.

 

[BigBoreFan]

I have the Kowas from the early 90s. I have the Motion Pro as well. My favorites are the shorter Motion Pro set. https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0340