Topic: Newbi needs tools?

[cudjo]

 Hello,
So my bike is almost here, ( so says the tracking from the shipping company)

I am starting from scratch with this hobby, and I will be going slow with the jobs i take on myself, but I want to do as much work as I can.
I was looking for some advice on some basic tools and products that are good to have on hand.

I have a 78 750F if that matters.

when the bike comes and find out whats it has  going on, I will make a new post asking what jobs are good for me to try on my own.

thanks in advance for the feedback.

[Gordon]

A full complement of metric wrenches and sockets are a necessity of any sohc4 owner, which you may already own.  One thin every bike owner needs if they plan on working on their own bike is an impact driver.  It is essential in removing many screws without stripping the heads in the process. 

[Sporkfly]

impact driver.  It is essential in removing many screws without stripping the heads in the process. 

I don't think I can give this enough +1's, best investment when you're working on a vintage bike that has cheese for screws. Without it every screw will be stripped.

[flybox1]

-anything needed to do a basic tune up.

timming light, valve/points guages, carb sync guages(homemade, or bench sync)

+ voltmeter.

and:
various cans of carb cleaner, engine degreaser, WD40, shop grease, simple green, 0000 steel wool, & chrome polish.

have fun and do the tune up first.

fb1

[crinklesmith]

Double plus on the impact driver. First thing to buy is the factory Honda service manual, and then a nice "clicker" type torque wrench. Then, all of the above, plus a quality set of 45 degree metric feeler gauges, as well as a cable lube tool. Spend money on nice tools, they will save you loads of cursing and fustration later. 

[cudjo]

  wow...i think all this stuff is goan cost more than my bike
but all a good investment im sure.

how much carb cleaner and simple green do I want to get, enough to soak large parts, or just like a bottle or 2?

Is a tune up something that i should be able to execute alone, being completely green?

[winnipeg550guy]

 Don't forget my favorite tool - the BFH

 

[MJL]

wow...i think all this stuff is goan cost more than my bike
but all a good investment im sure.

how much carb cleaner and simple green do I want to get, enough to soak large parts, or just like a bottle or 2?

Is a tune up something that i should be able to execute alone, being completely green?

Good tools are $$$, but they can be used for more than one bike. Next thing you know, you'll have buddies wanting you to fix their stuff.

[HavocTurbo]

Aside from the BFH and metric tools.... small things to carry with you while you ride are a plus.

Not necessary, but a plus, if you don't have a guy with a trailer on standby at any given moment.

Drop me a PM and I can give you a complete list of "must have" tools.

[sangyo soichiro]

Either one of these is a must.  Probably the most used tool I have.  No joke.

[WFO]

A nice flat surface to bang your head on will come in handy.

[bunghole]

Beer.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

A set of tappet feeler gauges in addition to the 45-degree gauges already mentioned.

http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/category/tappet_feeler_gauges/

You will need the .002-.003 to set your tappet clearances whenever you tune.  Consider getting the multi-pack that has 2 of each gauge.  The nice thing about having all the sizes is you can verify you have the right gap if "next size bigger" won't fit.  Also, adjusting the front brake calls for a .006 which is uncommon in most general gauge sets.

If you are looking for wrenches, get 6-point box end wrenches.  A number of the hex heads on these bikes are soft alloys which a 12-point will round off easily.

[Derby City]

+1 on the 6-point box end wrenches.  If you're buying a set of sockets I would get a set that has the 6-points there as well.  I try to use 6-point on every bolt I touch. 

Another +1 on buying quality tools as well (at least in the hand/mechanics tool department).  There's nothing I enjoy more than returning a tool free of charge after I broke the tool using it for something other than its intended purpose.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I was new to bikes too, although I had a few years experience with older cars.

It really shouldn't be too much if you just get the essentials. I had to start from scratch almost on the tools because I didn't have a single metric tool in my box.

You may want to check on the "mechanic sets" they have at sears, I'd strongly recommend sears because of the ease of return if you do break one.

I got so far:

9 piece metric box ends, 19.99 on sale
Impact driver, you gotta have this! 24.99
Metric socket set, 30 - 40$?
18mm deep socket, for spark plugs
Magnet pen, it's handy
Feeler guages
Voltmeter - 5$ at Harbor Freight

plus I had...

Adjustable wrench, 250mm
+ small adjustable wrench
Vice grip - use sparingly, but you'll need one
Rubber mallet
Screw drivers, asst. sizes

All that'll set you back about 150 - 170$, and most anything you'll need beyond those will be task specific tools. I may be forgetting something obvious though...

Good advice from everyone so far, the board has been a butt saver a few times for me already.

[cb750fbomb]

If your broke you can go to big lots and get some starter stuff listed above, but they will be crappy tools, until you come across some sales. Hardware stores, Walmart and the internet are places to look for sales. But these places also have crappy as well as good tools. With tools you really get what you pay for. Are you tearing it down and rebuilding it? If you are you will need more tools than if your just maintaining it.

[cudjo]

I have no plans of tearing it down anytime soon. one day I will break this one or another one down to the frame... but this one I will just be riding and maintaining, besides some cosmetic changes.

[cudjo]

I was new to bikes too, although I had a few years experience with older cars.

It really shouldn't be too much if you just get the essentials. I had to start from scratch almost on the tools because I didn't have a single metric tool in my box.

You may want to check on the "mechanic sets" they have at sears, I'd strongly recommend sears because of the ease of return if you do break one.

I got so far:

9 piece metric box ends, 19.99 on sale
Impact driver, you gotta have this! 24.99
Metric socket set, 30 - 40$?
18mm deep socket, for spark plugs
Magnet pen, it's handy
Feeler guages
Voltmeter - 5$ at Harbor Freight

plus I had...

Adjustable wrench, 250mm
+ small adjustable wrench
Vice grip - use sparingly, but you'll need one
Rubber mallet
Screw drivers, asst. sizes

All that'll set you back about 150 - 170$, and most anything you'll need beyond those will be task specific tools. I may be forgetting something obvious though...

Good advice from everyone so far, the board has been a butt saver a few times for me already.

where can I get a impact driver for $25?
I was seeing them for like $120 and up on line, i guess i didnt look far enough

[gregimotis]

I got my impact from Sears for about 25.00 bucks.




Just this small list will do 80% of the work and all of a tune-up:

A manual
An impact driver
A hammer (any kind of hammer)
an 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16mm wrench (in tool kit)
A medium size adj. wrench
a pair of needle nose pliers
a couple screwdrivers (in tool kit)
a spark plug wrench, (in tool kit)
a set of feeler gauges and a tappet feeler.
cheap multi-meter

WD-40
spray carb cleaner
spray bottle Simple Green


After that things like a timing light and socket wrenches will make life easier.




If you make it a rule to clean everything you touch no matter how insignificant, you will make your life a lot easier down the road and your bike will start looking a lot better a lot sooner.

[Gordon]

where can I get a impact driver for $25?
I was seeing them for like $120 and up on line, i guess i didnt look far enough

I think you're looking at the air or elecric powered impact driver.  What we're talking about is the basic, human powered impact driver.  Looks like this: 

[cudjo]

where can I get a impact driver for $25?
I was seeing them for like $120 and up on line, i guess i didnt look far enough

I think you're looking at the air or elecric powered impact driver.  What we're talking about is the basic, human powered impact driver.  Looks like this: 

there you go, that works!

[cudjo]

I got my impact from Sears for about 25.00 bucks.




Just this small list will do 80% of the work and all of a tune-up:

A manual
An impact driver
A hammer (any kind of hammer)
an 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16mm wrench (in tool kit)
A medium size adj. wrench
a pair of needle nose pliers
a couple screwdrivers (in tool kit)
a spark plug wrench, (in tool kit)
a set of feeler gauges and a tappet feeler.
cheap multi-meter

WD-40
spray carb cleaner
spray bottle Simple Green


After that things like a timing light and socket wrenches will make life easier.




If you make it a rule to clean everything you touch no matter how insignificant, you will make your life a lot easier down the road and your bike will start looking a lot better a lot sooner.

Is there a particular " tool kit" that you are referring to?

[547]

I ruined many screws until I saw a post here that recommended a #3 phillips. Its a perfect fit. Get one.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I ruined many screws until I saw a post here that recommended a #3 phillips. Its a perfect fit. Get one.

The issue with the Phillips head screws on these bikes is that they aren't Phillips!  They look a lot like Phillips, but they are actually Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS).  You may have noticed the small dot on the screw head?  That's how you know the screw is JIS. 

You can get a JIS driver set, kinda rare, or, as time and $$ allow, change your JIS screws to stainless steel hex cap screws.  Search this site for suppliers.

[mark]

McMaster has a 4pc JIS screwdriver set for around $14 .

Vessel tools sells an impact driver set with JIS bits, replacement bit set, and has screwdrivers, including a stubby #2 that would be great for carb bowl screws.

Toolkit screwdriver handle and blades are available from Honda at around $1.50/piece.

That's about it for US sources.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=25918.0


Happy trails.