Motorcycle Tools

[tez929rr]

I’ve had a Coats 220 tire changer for about 20 years. It probably paid for itself in two or three years. Also a manual balancer. As far as carb gauges, I only have one carbureted bike left but when I had several, my local Honda parts guy showed me that you could order a Honda gauge set for less than what aftermarket dial carb gauges cost at the time. If they still sell it, it’s worth a look. I have a few model specific tools like a Honda swingarm bolt tool and tool for the RC30 head bearings.

A friend purchased a hydraulic bike tire changer for not too many $$$ - Chinese made but he said he was very pleased with the quality.

 

[maydaymike]

A HF lift table, NoMar classic tire changer, and a Marc Parnes balancer are my favorite MC tools.

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[Misfire]

I'm also working on bikes in a small single car garage - 11x20 ish give or take. I have three complete bikes in here, plus two projects, tools, a bench, a full size stove for heating cases for bearings and paint, and a pile of other ****. So a full size lift would have been a major challenge. I found this one at princess auto, by Red Rock. It easily supports my XR650L (330lbs) and I've heard it's more than adequate for full size sport touring bikes. I'd never put a touring bike on it though. It has a removable extension for longer bikes. Pneumatic or manual lift. but the best part is that it folds up totally flat and stands vertical, like an ironing board, so storage is super easy. It takes up less space than a drill press when folded.

I'm intrigued by your lift. Not a lot of info online. Will it stand by itself when folded or does it need to be strapped to something? Only found one pic of it folded.
Also about how big is the foot print when folded and stored on end. I'd love a lift but just don't have a place to put it when not in use.

 

[DFB]

on.

I also got a motorcycle jack (Pitbull brand). I use it more than I ever used the table lift.

I have the original BlackJack lift, a guy from Canada was making them and sold them in Laconia one season way back in the 90's. I just had to buy one.

Works great the Pitbull is identical...USA version

 

[guppymech]

Handy Universal Scissor Jack and Harbor Freight bead breaker. They both are great time savers and I wish I had bought them years ago.

 

[unknownroad]

It amazes me that so many riders change their own tires... i bought a variety of tire irons, the Harbor Freight tire setup, rim protectors, more tire irons, different kinds of lube, watched video after video... and it's still a miserable, aggravating job that takes me most of a day for a pair of sportbike tires. Gave me an appreciation for why stealerships charge so ******** much to do it.

 

[DFB]

Handy Universal Scissor Jack and Harbor Freight bead breaker. They both are great time savers and I wish I had bought them years ago.

I have had that same orange bead breaker for like forever

Welds look like complete **** but never broke

 

[xin]

I'm also working on bikes in a small single car garage - 11x20 ish give or take. I have three complete bikes in here, plus two projects, tools, a bench, a full size stove for heating cases for bearings and paint, and a pile of other ****. So a full size lift would have been a major challenge. I found this one at princess auto, by Red Rock. It easily supports my XR650L (330lbs) and I've heard it's more than adequate for full size sport touring bikes. I'd never put a touring bike on it though. It has a removable extension for longer bikes. Pneumatic or manual lift. but the best part is that it folds up totally flat and stands vertical, like an ironing board, so storage is super easy. It takes up less space than a drill press when folded.

I spotted that XL 250 is that a 1979/1980 or so?

 

[tez929rr]

It amazes me that so many riders change their own tires... i bought a variety of tire irons, the Harbor Freight tire setup, rim protectors, more tire irons, different kinds of lube, watched video after video... and it's still a miserable, aggravating job that takes me most of a day for a pair of sportbike tires. Gave me an appreciation for why stealerships charge so ******** much to do it.

I changed a couple with makeshift tools after reading a bunch about the procedure. You are correct - it took a long time and was frustrating. Then three of us chipped in and bought a Coats 220. We have probably changed 200 tires by now. I can change and balance a set of sportbike tires (not including removing the wheels) in about 30 minutes. Given the savings in mail ordering tires and not having to leave the house, you can pay for a machine pretty fast. It cost $775 when we bought ours, but that was almost 20 years ago. I know someone who bought a powered machine for just over $1000 and that’s even easier to use. Other people have been very happy with the No-Mar machine which costs even less.

If you ride enough it’s well worth the investment.

 

[Motorman55]

Would love to see pix of you guys garage setup!!!

I'm still setting mine up since I only moved to this house last December. Not fancy but if you want to see my progress to date I started a Thread 'Motorman55's Garage...The Beginning'

 

[old_smokey]

I'm intrigued by your lift. Not a lot of info online. Will it stand by itself when folded or does it need to be strapped to something? Only found one pic of it folded.

Also about how big is the foot print when folded and stored on end. I'd love a lift but just don't have a place to put it when not in use.

It will stand on its own. There is a small leg that sticks out so it stands up. It actually looks like it’s not installed in the photo you posted but I can’t tell exactly.

I haven’t had my stowed away yet so I can’t comment on the footprint definitively, but I think about 2’ wide and 0.75’ deep would be close. Maybe 6’ tall.


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[old_smokey]

I spotted that XL 250 is that a 1979/1980 or so?

‘82 XL125S. Bought it for my wife to ride. She loves it, and turns out I do too haha. It’s a complete and utter dog, with maybe 12hp, but there is just something so fun about and old reasonably light bike that doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is. Just a toy for messin around on


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[Misfire]

It will stand on its own. There is a small leg that sticks out so it stands up. It actually looks like it’s not installed in the photo you posted but I can’t tell exactly.

I haven’t had my stowed away yet so I can’t comment on the footprint definitively, but I think about 2’ wide and 0.75’ deep would be close. Maybe 6’ tall.


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Interesting. I'd be lifting a 520 pound sport touring bike. I'm sure it will lift the weight but how's the stability? Is it tippy with the narrow footprint? A lift that stores out of the way would be great but not worth it if the lift were to fall over.

 

[old_smokey]

Mine doesn’t feel tippy and it’s resting on a floating hardwood floor. The wheel chock secures the bike very well. I use straps to add additional security. I’ve never felt the stand felt like it might tip over, and if I ever do it’d be easy to expand the footprint


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[xin]

‘82 XL125S. Bought it for my wife to ride. She loves it, and turns out I do too haha. It’s a complete and utter dog, with maybe 12hp, but there is just something so fun about and old reasonably light bike that doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is. Just a toy for messin around on


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I have had probably around over the years around 50 dirt bikes or so mainly MX bikes/Enduro like the old Yamaha IT's/Honda XR's (some XL's) all used. Then the YZ's, KX's (as working at Yamaha/Kawasaki shop at mechanic) and now Suzuki RM's (they turn like no other) of course I am a 2 stroke guy here....

 

[M6erfan]

I have had probably around over the years around 50 dirt bikes or so mainly MX bikes/Enduro like the old Yamaha IT's/Honda XR's (some XL's) all used. Then the YZ's, KX's (as working at Yamaha/Kawasaki shop at mechanic) and now Suzuki RM's (they turn like no other) of course I am a 2 stroke guy here....

Me too. My current project is an '81 IT. The scent of 24:1 mix of 972 is heaven.

 

[ephotrod]

I’ve had a Coats 220 tire changer for about 20 years. It probably paid for itself in two or three years. Also a manual balancer. As far as carb gauges, I only have one carbureted bike left but when I had several, my local Honda parts guy showed me that you could order a Honda gauge set for less than what aftermarket dial carb gauges cost at the time. If they still sell it, it’s worth a look. I have a few model specific tools like a Honda swingarm bolt tool and tool for the RC30 head bearings.

A friend purchased a hydraulic bike tire changer for not too many $$$ - Chinese made but he said he was very pleased with the quality.

Can you list the part number for the honda gauge set?

 

[xin]

Me too. My current project is an '81 IT. The scent of 24:1 mix of 972 is heaven.

I had a 1980 Yamaha IT125 it had IT250 front forks/rear shock (suspension was done) it was owned by a enduro 'pro' type rider back in the day. They were great bikes, the crankcase seal (transmission side) on the old IT's would leak. Not hard to replace but they would burn the transmission gear oil and leave a trail of smoke that would linger like clouds.

I still run Maxima 927 with VP fuel as leaded fuel never had any issues and it is only around $6-7 a gallon for 110 and engines last much longer.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Hello all,

What are some motorcycle tools that you are very happy with and/or consider "must haves"?

I'm looking to expand my collection.

Thanks!

Motion Pro ringer fork seal drivers, seal bullets, fork oil tool, FCR carb tool, and just about everything else they offer for what I wanna do.

No Mar Pro tire machine

Chicago Tool Harley tooling

J&S jack for lifting Harleys and race quads.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Oh and the Pit Posse bearing installer remover tool for Harley wheels. Must have for HD guys

 

[NC-Shaun]

Spoke ****** torque wrench.

I always wondered about these. I have had great luck with Pit Posse tooling so far, their Harley wheel bearing installer/remover has been amazing.

 

[rhys99]

Agreed. The Carbtune is the bee's knees and the arthropod's ankles for synchronizing carbs and throttle bodies. No farting around with hazardous materials, and the stainless steel rods are so much more consistent and easier to read.

I use a Digital one to balance carbs, super easy to read and set up

 

[DFB]

K&L tire changer...

 

[DFB]

Old school style...truing stand/wheel balancer