Topic: Honda dealer/factory tools

[Tugboat]

So towards the front of every Honda service manual there is a list of special tools. The front fork oil seal driving weight, for example. Or the valve seat cutter holder, rotor puller, valve spring compressor, etc. I know these can't have been widely distributed - maybe each dealer had a set? Were they ever available for consumers to purchase, and has anyone ever known someone who had one? Hondaman, maybe?

[Wobbly]

Over the past 38 years, I had ordered some Honda shop tools just like any other part by using the part number. However, with most SOHC 4 parts not being available from Honda anymore, you might run into the same problem with the tools.

[MoMo]

as wobbly said the shop tools were readily available to any mechanic that wanted to order.  My shop owner(Al Rifflard of Riff's Cycle Center) charged dealer cost for any tool a mechanic wanted to purchase.  As a flat rate mechanic I found it easier to own my own version rather than go looking for the shop tool.  The money spent for the tool was more than made up for in the time I did not waste.  Still have many of the tools I purchased....Larry

[grcamna2]

There's (or was?) a Japanese tool company that sold/supplied lot's of oem dealer tools to dealerships and they're Kowa Seiki,I've been trying to find a timing light inductive pick-up lead wire for my KS timing light and I've googled it but to no avail.
The closest I've come to locating it was from old Subaru dealerships who used that model timing light a lot. There's another company named Kent Moore but I'm not sure if they're around.I'd sure like to know who sells oem tools now

[MoMo]

Bill, the Kowa tire irons I bought 40 years ago are still straight as can be, quality tools they were...Larry

[Old Scrambler]

I see a few on ebay or at swap-meets.............usually VERY expensive.  The most useful everyday tool for these bikes is a set of JIS screwdrivers and JIS tips for an impact-wrench.

[MoMo]

I see a few on ebay or at swap-meets.............usually VERY expensive.  The most useful everyday tool for these bikes is a set of JIS screwdrivers and JIS tips for an impact-wrench.

I recently bought a Vessel impact screwdriver,  impact mechanism built into the handle, wish I had one 40 years ago...Larry

[grcamna2]

Bill, the Kowa tire irons I bought 40 years ago are still straight as can be, quality tools they were...Larry

Larry, Do you know if they're still making tools ?

[MoMo]

Bill, the Kowa tire irons I bought 40 years ago are still straight as can be, quality tools they were...Larry

Larry, Do you know if they're still making tools ?

No  idea but that was the company that made most of the Honda  tools....I last worked at a shop in 1986-Montgomeryville Cycle Center

[Bowswell]

http://www.cb500four.com/interactif/fofo_cb500four/viewtopic.php?t=17916&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=outil&start=0

This guy in France finding antique honda tool
Aurelia B20 member here...

[grcamna2]

Bill, the Kowa tire irons I bought 40 years ago are still straight as can be, quality tools they were...Larry

Larry, Do you know if they're still making tools ?

No  idea but that was the company that made most of the Honda  tools....I last worked at a shop in 1986-Montgomeryville Cycle Center

I wonder where dealers get there factory tools from now?

Any current dealership techs. on here,or parts guys ?

The dealers who I use to order parts from had a halfway decent parts guy/girl on there sometimes who told me that they could order some tools for me,hesitantly... but they didn't know how/what to charge so a few of them(the ones I use to order more stuff from than the others) did order a few things.I spoke to a K&L rep./salesman who would tell me their suppliers name...  I finally realized that it's kind of 'dealer only'    and tough for a private repair shop guy like me to get a hold of 'Dealer Only' factory tools but I was able to get a few here and there.

I sure like to have few $'s and go to a few swap meets to find some old tools,or just try to hear of when a Dealer closes up and try to see if any techs might sell some 

[MoMo]

This was one of the coolest dealer tools I got, not functioning though...Larry

[grcamna2]

What components did you use to test w/ that Larry? is that from the early 60's ?

[MoMo]

60s for sure..  Ohmmeter, voltmeter, plug tester, coil tester,  capacitor tester.  Yamaha had a similar tester-probably Honda did too.  Guess is the same company made all and relabeled for the manufacturer.  They really worked well, especially for testing plugs and coils. Somehow the fuse circuitry was ripped out of this unit.  Someday I may put it up on Ebay to see if it brings some money...Larry

[eastyork1977]

So I bought a whole bunch of Honda KOWA tool from an old 60s dealer. Happy to put up some pics for you guys but only if you guys are seriously looking.

Two cases of general tools and there is also a case of GL specific tools as well.

Again for serious enquires only, I will get a post going if there is interest so let me know.

Cheers

[Muckinfuss]

I have the Honda Kowa electronic tester from around 1968-69.  Works fine...plastic shields on the meters are pretty crappy, but the tool works and I have all the accessory wire connectors and timing light.  The only tool I've ever owned that accurately told if a coil was good or not.  If there's a photo or two that would help you figure out how to McGiver the parts you're missing, let me know and I'll try my best to be a photographer.

[MoMo]

I have the Honda Kowa electronic tester from around 1968-69.  Works fine...plastic shields on the meters are pretty crappy, but the tool works and I have all the accessory wire connectors and timing light.  The only tool I've ever owned that accurately told if a coil was good or not.  If there's a photo or two that would help you figure out how to McGiver the parts you're missing, let me know and I'll try my best to be a photographer.

All the fuse stuff is missing.  someone must have taken the top off and removed the fuse holder and wiring..  You'd have to take yours apart to photograph,  too much trouble so don't bother...Larry

[oldhatt45]

eastyork1977,

I sent you a PM yesterday regarding some of the tools you might have.
I also saw a thread this morning about the PM system having a problem, so I was wondering if you got my PM?

Thanks,

Charlie

[eastyork1977]

Got the PMs thanks, system is wonky today and I can't reply.

Pics are up as promised.

http://seventeescycles.imgur.com/

Let me know which lot you're after or specifics. You can use descriptions or image links.

This email is best to get right to me. I sometimes take about 1 day to respond as I'm often in the shop. Got three bikes on the go right now.

70scycles@gmail.com

[oldfart]

There's (or was?) a Japanese tool company that sold/supplied lot's of oem dealer tools to dealerships and they're Kowa Seiki,I've been trying to find a timing light inductive pick-up lead wire for my KS timing light and I've googled it but to no avail.
The closest I've come to locating it was from old Subaru dealerships who used that model timing light a lot. There's another company named Kent Moore but I'm not sure if they're around.I'd sure like to know who sells oem tools now

Kowa was indeed the special tool manufacturer for Honda and at different times Kawasaki as well.  You can still get Kawasaki Kowa tools, but not Honda, for some time now.  Kowa U.S. was purchased by Snap-On about four years ago and dissolved into the company (read put out of business).  I have written a few articles about this.  I talked to someone at Kowa in Japan last year.  They are still a going concern, but they do not plan on selling in the U.S. again, and they have pretty much by now made the transition to automotive only, a huge market in Japan, apparently.  See my articles on this at motocycleptoject.com.

Honda dropped Kowa switched to a U.S. manufacturer whose name was three letters, don't remember but it was somthing like TLK.  Anyway, the tools were no where near as good.  The bad news is Kowa is no more in the U.S.  The good news is, for necessary things like bearing retainer tools and special castlated nut (clutch, steering, swingarm) sockets, U.S. aftermarket companies have sprung up to fill this need.  Do a part number search using the correct factory part number for the tool on eBay.  You will be surprised at what you find.  Occasionally someone will have the original tool, but more often, a domestic supplier exists who is reproducing them.  I just purchased a swingarm nut socket for my CBX and it is a better tool than the Honda one could ever have been.

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/kowa_tools.html
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/tricktools.html
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/tools12.html
http://www.gwcbg.org/~gwcbg/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&download=1%3Agl100-service&id=1%3Agl1000&Itemid=456&lang=en

[grcamna2]

There's (or was?) a Japanese tool company that sold/supplied lot's of oem dealer tools to dealerships and they're Kowa Seiki,I've been trying to find a timing light inductive pick-up lead wire for my KS timing light and I've googled it but to no avail.
The closest I've come to locating it was from old Subaru dealerships who used that model timing light a lot. There's another company named Kent Moore but I'm not sure if they're around.I'd sure like to know who sells oem tools now

Kowa was indeed the special tool manufacturer for Honda and at different times Kawasaki as well.  You can still get Kawasaki Kowa tools, but not Honda, for some time now.  Kowa U.S. was purchased by Snap-On about four years ago and dissolved into the company (read put out of business).  I have written a few articles about this.  I talked to someone at Kowa in Japan last year.  They are still a going concern, but they do not plan on selling in the U.S. again, and they have pretty much by now made the transition to automotive only, a huge market in Japan, apparently.  See my articles on this at motocycleptoject.com.

Honda dropped Kowa switched to a U.S. manufacturer whose name was three letters, don't remember but it was somthing like TLK.  Anyway, the tools were no where near as good.  The bad news is Kowa is no more in the U.S.  The good news is, for necessary things like bearing retainer tools and special castlated nut (clutch, steering, swingarm) sockets, U.S. aftermarket companies have sprung up to fill this need.  Do a part number search using the correct factory part number for the tool on eBay.  You will be surprised at what you find.  Occasionally someone will have the original tool, but more often, a domestic supplier exists who is reproducing them.  I just purchased a swingarm nut socket for my CBX and it is a better tool than the Honda one could ever have been.

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/kowa_tools.html
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/tricktools.html
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/tools12.html
http://www.gwcbg.org/~gwcbg/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&download=1%3Agl100-service&id=1%3Agl1000&Itemid=456&lang=en

Thanks for this post oldfart,I needed to know why nothing comes up on Google searches for me... I sure would like to find a new inductive pick-up/lead wire for my Nice Kowa Seiki compact timing light. Do you know of any Automotive places that I might try that could still possibly sell me this replacement parts ? I've tried Ebay also and it's no picnic getting my hopes up...

[oldfart]

Well, inductive clamps are available different places, but I rather think the setup on the Kowa timing light was pretty special, being completely self-powered.  (That timing light, being self-powered, was a rare bird in its time, but I have since seen other ones).  Don't know if that would affect the clamp or not, it seems a pretty standard part.  Fox Valley, Snap-On, etc.

[grcamna2]

Well, inductive clamps are available different places, but I rather think the setup on the Kowa timing light was pretty special, being completely self-powered.  (That timing light, being self-powered, was a rare bird in its time, but I have since seen other ones).  Don't know if that would affect the clamp or not, it seems a pretty standard part.  Fox Valley, Snap-On, etc.

Do you think a Snap-on saleman in a truck would help me ?

[fmctm1sw]

Well, inductive clamps are available different places, but I rather think the setup on the Kowa timing light was pretty special, being completely self-powered.  (That timing light, being self-powered, was a rare bird in its time, but I have since seen other ones).  Don't know if that would affect the clamp or not, it seems a pretty standard part.  Fox Valley, Snap-On, etc.

Do you think a Snap-on saleman in a truck would help me ?

That's what I wondered one day.  Can you just run those guys down and buy tools out of the trucks?

[Rocky2010]

In the day I purchased a pair of factory piston ring compressors which are the same as the ones in the manual also some T-bar spanners from a company which was called Bennett & Woods in Australia but they are no longer in business these days that is the extent of my genuine factory tools