Topic: Help Putting Together a Toolkit

[Happy Elbow]

Hello fellow SOHC4 riders! As someone who recently joined the ranks after purchasing a 1978 CB550K, I am looking to put together a tool kit that will enable me to be able to do the majority of the maintenance on my bike. If any of you have recommendations of tools or, even better, took kits, please let me know!

[DH]

If you ever have to get into the engine for any reason, an impact driver with quality bits is your best friend. Japanese industrial standard (JIS) crosspoint screwdrivers are
also a very good investment. Basic metric wrenches and sockets (1/4 and 3/8 drive)
from about 6mm up to about 19mm or so, and 12v circuit test light are all useful and necessary. Find the largest bolt(s) head on the bike and make sure you have, or can get access to, a wrench to fit them. An inch pound and foot pound torque wrenches sometimes become necessary during certain operations. Like anything else, you can never have too many tools. ......If the need for a specialty tool arises, there's always ebay, or, you can always take the part to a Honda dealer or machine shop that will perform small jobs. Finding good ones is all part of the fun of owning an old Honda.


edit: A spark plug gauge and feeler blades as well as the correct plug socket for your particular bike. The socket especially.

[catsoup]

If you're talking a mobile tool kit that you can bring with you, two most important things in my mind are an adjustable wrench large enough to remove the rear wheel, and a spark plug wrench that you can actually use on the side of the road. I found one that looks like this it's a pain to use on the road, since the exhaust is right there, but it will save you. Beyond that, a 10mm and 12mm and philips / flat  screwdriver at a minimum

[oldschoolcarbs]

There is a guy on ebay who sells JIS driver sets.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171299066461?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Actually that would be me. I don't make any money to speak of--my cost per set is 65 bucks. I do it to support the community.

OSC
www.oldschoolcarbs.com

[evanphi]

I have mostly converted everything to allen bolts and I just put together a kit based on the stock original.

Find your parts fiche online... and go from there. That will tell you everything you need for basic maintenance. The Honda open end wrenches are awesome, and still available. +1 to the plug wrench. It makes the #2 plug removal SO much easier on my 750.