Tools that help you know your bike better

  • Oct 18, 2010
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The emotional bonding between a bike and a rider grows stronger over the period of time and the connection between the rider's right hand wrist and the grin inside his helmet is correlated. Such an attachment has no bounds and it keeps multiplying with every additional mile covered. You will never hit a dead spot where this connection will stop getting stronger. But there is a way to make even more special than it is. How?

Have you ever worked on your own motorcycle? Then you would know how. It is always a great feeling to ride a bike that you have been working on and getting your hands greasy with. When you have held the bike’s swingarm in your hands or oiled the front fork assembly by yourself, the bond with your machine not only gets strengthened but it is also a very special feeling. Even a regular backyard service will rejuvenate this man-machine relationship.

But before you start your first lessons on how-to-be-a-grease-monkey, you will need a good set of tools. Since, whatever skills you will learn while working on your bike will remain with you forever – why not start with the best possible equipment. We recommend some of the best and must-have tools that you will need to work on your baby…

WRENCHES

Wrenches are usually available as sets. Go for a combination box-end/open-end set of wrenches with sizes ranging from 6mm to 19mm. Remember to have an extra 10mm wrench so that you are not stuck up with chain and cable adjustments.

Buy a good quality adjustable 12mm wrench for axles. A poor quality one will leave you with skinned knuckles and round-off nuts/bolts. Also remember to always rotate the wrench around the movable jaw.

RATCHETS

3/8-inch ratchet is a must have in the toolbox. A good flex-head type will be heavy on the pocket but it will improve your efficiency with lesser effort. Don’t forget the 10-inch extensions to go with your 3/8-inch flex-head ratchet.

SCREWRIVERS

Always go for a set of screwdrivers that includes No.1 and No.3 Phillips head screwdriver along with a couple of flat-blades.

Tip: Phillips head screwdrivers with sharp ends will immediately ruin the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) screws. So remember to slightly flatten the sharp ends on the Phillip-head screwdrivers.

PLIERS

Pliers come handy on a number of occasions. So choose the right ones and don’t make a compromise there. With a shoddy set of pliers you will mostly end up damaging your ride than fixing it.

MISCELLANEOUS 

  •  Allen keys are regularly used on modern-day motorcycle. So it’s necessary that your toolbox has a basic set of Allen keys in it.
  • A 3/8-inch torque-wrench is another must-have. Ideally, even the basic one should read up to 76 lb-ft, which is more than enough to be sure. You also get some that make a clicking sound as they reach the preset torque.
  • Set of small screwdrivers to help you with electrical units and carb-tuning.
  • You will also need a good spark-plug socket. Usually, they come in 10mm, 12mm and 14mm sizes. You will have to choose the suitable one for your bike/bikes.
  • Protective workshop glasses and disposable vinyl gloves will make it safer and easier for you to work on your motorcycle.

TOOLBOX

A good portable toolbox will always come handy. Even if you gradually increase your tool collection and go for a full-sized workshop toolbox, the portable box will always remain useful to you.

This is the set of tools that you will need to start basic work on your motorcycle. But good quality tools will be quite expensive and the best way to complete your toolbox collection is to gradually accumulate then over a period of time. Buy these tools from a genuine dealer and avoid going to the local hardware shop. The next feature will focus on certain job-specific tools and equipment.

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