I was wondering what tools you guys consider a staple in your shop for complete a bike resto. Top and bottom end, carb, plastics, forks, shock, linkages, bearings. EVERYTHING. What are your sworn "NEEDED" tools?
I was wondering what tools you guys consider a staple in your shop for complete a bike resto. Top and bottom end, carb, plastics, forks, shock, linkages, bearings. EVERYTHING. What are your sworn "NEEDED" tools?
great lighting
nitrile gloves
safety glasses
OEM service manual
time
patience
sockets, ratchets, torque wrench
Torque wrench, sockets, GOOD ratchets, impact screw driver, deadblow hammer, loctite, belray grease, breaker bar.
2009 Kawasaki KX450F
2009 Kawasaki KX250F
2002 Suzuki GSXR 600
3/8" drive cordless impact.
Snap -on metric medium depth sockets
Putting grease in small syringes as it makes less of a mess and easier to apply
White Teflon Zipper grease - cleaner and light that petroleum based stuff. great for levers
Triflo
And all the usual tools.......
For Bikes I Do Really Like My T handles. I also have two identical 32 pc grearwrench set I enjoy as they make things simple. Now I guess not so much on the bikes but as a diesel mechanic I love my battery half inch impact. I use little picks a bunch, got big hands and have broke all fingers so can't really move em to well.
See many young guys buy cheap ass stuff cause that's what they can afford. This is fine for awhile but you will get what you pay for with tools.
T handles
Good tire irons
The motion pro shock collar punch tool for adjusting sag
Quality screwdrivers from Vessel that don't round out philips hardware
My harbor freight motorcycle lift
T handles
good socket set
snap on drivers
snap on 3/8 & 1/4 torque wrenches
Pliers set
Measuring tools
Tire irons
Magnet tool
Electric meter
Bearing press
Flywheel puller
Case splitter/ crank puller
Wheel building stand
Compressed air
Work bench with a couple of vices
"Nothing happens until something moves"
Edited Date/Time:
variable speed dremel. Decent set of hand files. Small propane torch. Exacto knife with new blades. Scribe/pick set. Surface stone. Lots of different sand paper. Micro fiber and mothers polish. Rubber mallet. Splitter. Puller. Along with good hand tools.
I like 6 point sets do I don't mark up my bolts and nuts with tool edges.
And an air compressor with impact and impact sockets. Some cut 2x4 wood blocks.
DoctorJD wrote:My 2.25 power reading glasses.
RyanLester761 wrote:I'm about there myself! So helpful!
![]()
Pftt, real men wear 3.0
Being a trackside support guy previously and still helping out occasionally I would definitely say a tire changing stand, good tire spoons, and a bead buddy! At the shop/in the garage I would say a cordless impact. As for my favorite tool it would definitely be my Snap One Techangle Electronic Torque Wrench.
Edited Date/Time:
A little magnet like in the pic and a 2x4 engine stand
Almost forget another necessary tool is q-tips
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1784/47349/Sprocket-Stuff-Counter-Sprocket-Tool
So much easier than fighting it with the chain on! Makes torquing CR/CRF sprockets that require 23/24lbs much more accurate...
crc245 wrote:https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1784/47349/Sprocket-Stuff-Counter-Sprocket-Tool
So much easier than fighting it with the ...more
HUH! I have never seen that one. All my KX's and KDX's have a circlip, but I think this might work on my YZ250.
Thanks for mentioning it.
AWWWWWWW SH*& ! I have a $25 gift card from subscribing to MXA.
YES!! Thanks a LOT for mentioning it!
Bingo we have an engine builder. Dremel and hand files was my answer along with some happich simichrome polish. I'll add in my dad's homemade wheel trueing stand, a blow-dryer for graphics, super glue for knuckles because I WILL bust them. 12 pack of busch and some loose woman possibly?
T Handles hands down. Close runner up is Long Acre Tire guage, cut/welded motion pro tire spoons for easy tire swaps, and now that I am getting older, a nice tool box. Never understood the massive tool box thing until I could afford one, and now its nice being able to store everything nice and neat with rood to spare.
I do have a tube of the simichrome and it works very good but over the years of building engines and polishing shit I actually found mothers does the job just as well if not better. And I hate to admit that.
I will add a variety of fine wire brushes and green scotch pads to the list! Also old toothbrushes and wd40. Loose women can be handy. Especially when you need a sandwich.
Good 1/4 inch socket drive set. That's pretty much all I ever use except for a half inch or giant crescent for the axle nuts. And you really should have a good torque wrench for top ends, etc. when you get internal on the bike. I want to get a good honer to do my cylinders. I only ride 2 strokes though, so I don't need a lot of fancy tools. And I don't know why, but Im not a huge T- handle guy. For plastics I guess fine, but beyond that I prefer drivers. You can crank stuff down to where it feels right. Im not so sure about all these torque settings they give you. Some stuff just seems way too loose.
Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst.