Topic: Tools

[kghost]

Heres a topic I have yet to see covered.......

What in everyone's humble opinion would be the top Tool choice for the Novice or New SOHC owner.

Since lots of people are new to the SOHC'ers or perhaps to spinning wrenches which would you the more "mature" amongs recommend they run right out and aquire?

[cben750f0]

good screw driver set.. phillips and blade type, good 3/8 drive, and 1/2 inch socket set.. in metric of course ... good set of ring/openend spanners... set of metric allen keys....150mm and 300mm steel rule., also a set of combination pliers, and needle nose pliers...oh and a set of feeler gauges.. that should get you out of most situations... after that you are getting into specialty tools, and generally they are heaps more expensive... anyone else have ideas?... peace

[Gordon]

Don't forget the impact driver.
Inexpensive, and indispensible when removing those evil engine screws.

Breaker bar.
Looks like a giant ratchet wrench, but without the ratcheting head.  Used for forcing those old, stubborn bolts to turn.  It's extra long so you get much better leverage.  (also good for prying off carbs) 

These are two tools I didn't have for a long time, but now that I have them, I wonder how I ever got by without them.

Oh yeah, and a floor jack. 

[Jonesy]

For the advanced wrencher, I recommend the following: Impact driver, carb vacuum gauge set (your choice of type), timing light (a must for setting final timing and great for quickly spotting dead cylinders), Steel mechanic's rule with sliding marker (hard to adjust a float without 'em), feeler gages, Volt/Ohm meter (a must for chasing down electrical glitches) and a set of carburetor jet cleaning wires.

But, the most indespensible tool for any owner is the Factory Shop Manual!!!

[SCJIM]

i was thinking of assembling a kit of updated tools

to replace the already missing stock tool kit.

 

[mcpuffett]

how about a circuit tester bulb type ? and a telescopic magnet   mick.

[Gordon]

Beer!   

[SCJIM]

                        GORDO !

THAT IS EXACTLY WHATS ON MY MIND!

[jwalters]

I wish I had a tool that could give me some more patients! (I guess that might be the beer) 

[heffay]

ya know... when i started mmi... the tool list was perfect... ill see if i can find it.

[kghost]

Digital multi meter. You can buy one cheap Like $19.95 from Sears or Radio shack.
Good Screw drivers.
Good set of punches and Chisels. So you don't use your screwdriver and the afore mentioned big hammer.

[screwtheman]

6 POINT metric sockets. I've started converting my "cheap starter tools" over to mostly Craftsman and I'm so glad I went with the 6 pt. 

[El Taco]

6 POINT metric sockets. I've started converting my "cheap starter tools" over to mostly Craftsman and I'm so glad I went with the 6 pt. 

Yeah, but 12 point is nice for hard to reach places, and again,

IMPACT DRIVER

[jerwendt]

Hello from So.Cal.
On our latest run to New Orleans, we had a flat tire on one of the 750's.
It was Sunday and fortunately in the mountain village of Wrightwood,Ca.
The tool we needed the most was a GOOD long tire iron or two to
break down the flat. Fortunately our member had a spare tube. By
chance we found a shop that sold Harley stuff BUT had a pair of nice tire irons
to loan us. It really saved our bacon as we didn't have to leave the bike and
rider or delay our trip. I now carry a pair of irons in my saddle bag along with
the other tools.
Jer

[kghost]

Good Idea with the irons. Several Companies make really good kits complete with CO canisters (like for a BB gun) to inflate the tire back up with,

I really stated this thread in the hopes we could reach a consensus on what tools to recommend and in what order to aqquire them for the Newbies.

[mcpuffett]

yep , i would say start with a good set of screwdrivers and a good set of sockets and spanners mick.

[rob]

Hi everyone,

For anyone in Canada looking for a good set of sockets, Canadian Tire has a sale this week.  It is on sale for $99 CAD, down from $300.  Also, I just noticed that they have a special offer on their website right now, for free shipping if you buy online, so not a bad deal for you people in the US as well.

I picked up this socket set yesterday, and it seems pretty good quality, and Master Craft is a fairly good name in tools as far as I know.  While I was there, I did a quick calculation on what it would cost to get the drivers, extensions, and sockets individually from the shelves, and this is a substantial savings.

As for other tools, I would say vice grips, large rubber mallet, tire tred depth gauage, multimeter and airpressure gauge are good to have.

Rob



For thos interested, here are details about that wrench set from their website:

*  Mastercraft 205-piece socket set packed in a durable molded plastic carrying case
* All sockets are 6-point and nickel-chrome plated for superior rust resistance
* Contents: 1/4"-drive 10 regular SAE 5/32 to 1/2" and 13 Metric 4 to 14mm, 10 deep SAE 5/32 to 1/2" and 11 deep Metric 4 to 14mm, 3/8"-drive 9 regular SAE, 5/16 to 13/16" and 15 Metric 8 to 22mm, 6 deep SAE 5/16 to 5/8" and 6 deep Metric, 10 to 15mm, 1/2"-drive 9 regular SAE 7/16 to 15/16" and 15 regular 10 to 24mm
* Also includes 2 combination wrenches, 36 bits, 1shaft, 6 extension bars, universal joint, T-bar, 2 spark plug socket, spinner handle, 2 adapters, 28 hex keys, 11 Torx Set, 1 long nose pliers, 1 diagonal pliers
* Lifetime warranty

[kghost]

Tire depth gauge?

See the "how often do you change your rires" thread

[Kevin D]

Impact wrench with #3 phillips bit!!!

[Zip]

Don't forget the WD40.

Zip

[Zip]

Just wanted to see if my pic showed up.  Thanks,

Zip

[Jonesy]

I forgot to mention one of those gizmos that holds a slotted-head screw and allows you to get it started in hard to reach places. Mine is a must for getting the screw plugs back on the vacuum ports of the 2 inner carbs!

[heffay]

so here it is... i found my mmi tool list.  this list is given to entering students and these were tools all available from sears or their catalog in 1998.   (when i entered)   

 
5mm-14mm  6 point socket ¼”drive
quick release ratchet ¼” drive
extension bar- 1 ½”   ¼” drive
extension bar- 3”   ¼” drive
9mm-19mm 12 point socket 3/8” drive
9mm-19mm 6 point deep socket 3/8” drive
6 pt. Spark plug 5/8”  3/8” drive
6 pt. Spark plug 13/16”   3/8” drive
quick realease ratchet 3/8” drive
extension bar 3”   3/8” drive
extension bar 6”   3/8” drive
3/8” to ¼” adaptor
fluke multitestor
safety glasses
tool box
tire irons 2
universal spoke wrench
valve stem remover
scientific calculator
6mm-19mm combination wrench
adjustable Wrench- 6”
pliers w/ wire cutting slot 6-3/4”
long nose pliers 6”
adjustable joint pliers 7”
Phillips #1, #2, #3
Screwdriver- 3/16x 4”
Screwdriver- ¼”x6”
20 piece hex key set
center punch 3/8”x4 ½”
pin punch 5/32”x5”
6 piece impact driver set
16 oz. Ball peen hammer
36 blade master feeler gauge
tire gauge

[sbiddle]

how about a flashlight? I like to use a LED headlamp so I can still use my hands to get into trouble!

[Quail "Owner of the comfortable k8"]

Gearwrench the ratcheting box end, you only have to move it 5 degrees for it to ratchet.  I love them, use them every day. cheap and from sears.

[carsholduptraffic]

heres a list of tools that suit the cb750.
8,10,12,14,17mm combination spanners
same size sockets in 3/8 drive (8,10,12 in 1/4 is nice too). with extension bar
18mm tube spanner for plugs
#2,3 phillips screwdrivers
small, med, large, huge flat screwdrivers.
stubby flat and phillips screwdrivers
small, medium, big shifter
hammer
rubber hammer
impact driver for that first time.
bigger hammer
longnose pliers
vicegrip pliers (emergengy gearlever)
parts washing brush
oil pan
test light (or multimeter if you know what youre looking at)
small torch
1/2 inch brass drift 6" long
allen keys (ball end are handiest)
tire pressure gauge
beer

this should see you through 99% of cb750k2 servicing.
go easy on using breaker bars or you will need a helicoil kit as well!!!

nick in canberra

[carsholduptraffic]

i forgot feeler gauges........this are considered disposable after setting the valve clearences a few times (though i should get some of them fancy angled ones....)
and also the timing light, dwell meter ( the ONLY way to set points), and carb vac gauges (be the envy of your freinds)
if you aren't a tool buff, go buy a $1 10mm combo spanner (or wrench for you yanks) and take it with you when you buy a spanner(s). then look at the good stuff, and compare.
or just use that $1 spanner a while, and you'll see why good tools cost money.

[Zeke]

Well, these saved my ass last weekend.

Sears Craftsman 41390 Finger Bit

Picked up a set of three at Sears after burning my hands trying to adjust pilot screws.

They were only a few bucks and make it simple to drop float bowls and adjust pilots.

Basically, it's a knurled aluminum disc about .25 inch thick and 1 inch dia that accepts any 1/4 hex drive bit.  My set also had an adapter for 1/4 sockets so you can use them like a short socket extension and really makes spinning loose bolts in and out a breeze.

Best cheap tool purchase of the year, period.

That said, you must have an impact driver, there's no other way to remove a heat-cycled phillips bolt from your aluminum case -- at least not without ruining some of them in the process.

Zeke