Basic tools for owner of a Chinese motorcycle

Wigwam Jones · 07-18-2017, 07:47 PM

I thought I should start getting a list together of the tools and other items I will need to be a prepared owner of a Chinese motorcycle.

Some things I know and have, like a metric socket set and open end wrenches. Some I know but don't have, like a torque wrench and feeler gauges and spoke wrenches and Locktite.

What else does the prepared owner need? Care to contribute to the list?

**cheesy** · 07-18-2017, 08:58 PM

Compression gauge
Metric allen wrenches
BFH and LFH
Rubber mallet
Flat and phillips screwdrivers
Beer and a fridge to keep the beer in
Log book
Drain pan
funnel
rags, lots
And if the bike has any torx head screws, get some torx bits.

humanbeing · 07-18-2017, 10:14 PM

Optional:Cheap (grease fingerprint / drops on good name brand isn't fun) tablet that checks online tutorial/ Reads pdf service manual...

kirbo7106 · 07-18-2017, 11:54 PM

I picked up some tire spoons, a tube patch kit, air pressure gauge and a valve core remover. Some people are ok with 2 spoons, I like 3. I use rim protectors, but some people don't. Some people use baby powder in the tires to keep the tube from chafing. A bottle of windex helps tires slip on the rim.

There are plenty of YouTube videos to watch on tire changing.

Be safe out there!

Megadan · 07-19-2017, 02:26 AM

JIS Philips head screwdrivers and/or bits.

humanbeing · 07-19-2017, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirbo7106

...A bottle of windex helps tires slip on the rim....

There's proper stuff from autoparts store... windex

Do a pH paper test will taught u something... Use soapy stuff that are mild to human body (dish soap+ water) if don't had those fancy (proper) stuff...

Mudflap · 07-19-2017, 06:31 AM

multimeter

humanbeing · 07-19-2017, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudflap

multimeter

Sometimes old sckool tech (ie. There's light) is more useful... Bi-color LED circuit tester presented in ANY vehicle's toolkit i owns . Multimeter uses battery & had chips, u NEVER know when will it fail.

Wigwam Jones · 07-19-2017, 08:27 AM

Good thoughts everyone, keep 'em coming! How about wheel lifts and center stands and jacks? Needed or no? Keep in mind I don't have a helper, so I'm strictly on my own.

Wigwam Jones · 07-19-2017, 08:52 AM

And what about battery chargers? Any thoughts as to best bang for the buck for motorcycles?

**JerryHawk250** · 07-19-2017, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wigwam Jones

Good thoughts everyone, keep 'em coming! How about wheel lifts and center stands and jacks? Needed or no? Keep in mind I don't have a helper, so I'm strictly on my own.

I used a floor jack and two ratchet straps to tie off to keep the bike vertical when I jacked it up. If you have a place you can hook a ratchet strap overhead you can use the strap to lift it. I too had no help. I had to unload the crate out the back of my truck using my ATV ramps and pushed it out the back. I also had to assemble by myself. Took me about 4 hours. 1st thing you want to do is fill the battery with acid, that way it has plenty of time to activate the battery properly before putting it on a slow charge.

Mudflap · 07-19-2017, 09:09 AM

Once finished with the initial battery charge it shouldn't need charging again. It's a good idea to put the brand new battery on a slow overnight charge before putting it into service. I suppose in Michigan you'll need a battery maintainer for winter storage.

I use a couple of automotive jack stands to support the bike in an upright position for changing tires. Never needed to use a jack.

BlackBike · 07-19-2017, 12:27 PM

There's this
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-vol...ger-62813.html

Or for a few bucks more you can get the battery tender jr brand.

Wigwam Jones · 07-19-2017, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBike

There's this
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-vol...ger-62813.html

Or for a few bucks more you can get the battery tender jr brand.

Those maintainers and float chargers are good if your battery is already charged; I understand if you use them on a dead battery, you'll kill it permanently.

I was looking at this one:

http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinu...6&blockType=G6

I am reading the doco and it appears it will do float charging, maintenance charging, desulfation, and even has an app (LOL). The video is a real hoot, reminds me of a viagra commercial, but for a flat battery, not a flat something else.

Any thoughts about the one in my link above? Thinking of picking it up tomorrow on the way home from work.

Sir kayakalot · 07-19-2017, 01:19 PM

Doesn't hurt to have zip ties on hand

07-18-2017, 07:47 PM	#1
Wigwam Jones Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 86	Basic tools for owner of a Chinese motorcycle I thought I should start getting a list together of the tools and other items I will need to be a prepared owner of a Chinese motorcycle. Some things I know and have, like a metric socket set and open end wrenches. Some I know but don't have, like a torque wrench and feeler gauges and spoke wrenches and Locktite. What else does the prepared owner need? Care to contribute to the list?
	0

07-18-2017, 08:58 PM	#2
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,748	Compression gauge Metric allen wrenches BFH and LFH Rubber mallet Flat and phillips screwdrivers Beer and a fridge to keep the beer in Log book Drain pan funnel rags, lots And if the bike has any torx head screws, get some torx bits. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
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07-18-2017, 10:14 PM	#3
humanbeing Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,436	Optional:Cheap (grease fingerprint / drops on good name brand isn't fun) tablet that checks online tutorial/ Reads pdf service manual... __________________
	1

07-18-2017, 11:54 PM	#4
kirbo7106 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Holiday, Florida Posts: 672	Tire Stuff I picked up some tire spoons, a tube patch kit, air pressure gauge and a valve core remover. Some people are ok with 2 spoons, I like 3. I use rim protectors, but some people don't. Some people use baby powder in the tires to keep the tube from chafing. A bottle of windex helps tires slip on the rim. There are plenty of YouTube videos to watch on tire changing. Be safe out there! __________________ Dan-O -2018 Tao Tao HellCat - DOA -2016 Hawk 250 - Kitty Hawk - eBay exhaust, Mikuni carb(120 main/30 Pilot), airbox mod with K&N filter, digital cluster, total LEDs, 17/45 sprockets, RK chain, Shinko 244 tires, trunk, aftermarket levers, burrito tube, skid plate, Sargent Cycle Seat... -2003 HD Sportster 100th Anniversary -1999 Buell X-1 Lightning - Race kit, Buell Seat
	2

07-19-2017, 02:26 AM	#5
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 7,851	JIS Philips head screwdrivers and/or bits. __________________ 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2010 VFR1200F - http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20708
	0

07-19-2017, 06:31 AM	#7
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,869	multimeter
	0

07-19-2017, 08:27 AM	#9
Wigwam Jones Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 86	Good thoughts everyone, keep 'em coming! How about wheel lifts and center stands and jacks? Needed or no? Keep in mind I don't have a helper, so I'm strictly on my own.
	0

07-19-2017, 08:52 AM	#10
Wigwam Jones Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 86	And what about battery chargers? Any thoughts as to best bang for the buck for motorcycles?
	0

07-19-2017, 09:09 AM	#12
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,869	Once finished with the initial battery charge it shouldn't need charging again. It's a good idea to put the brand new battery on a slow overnight charge before putting it into service. I suppose in Michigan you'll need a battery maintainer for winter storage. I use a couple of automotive jack stands to support the bike in an upright position for changing tires. Never needed to use a jack.
	0

07-19-2017, 12:27 PM	#13
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	There's this https://www.harborfreight.com/12-vol...ger-62813.html Or for a few bucks more you can get the battery tender jr brand. __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	0

07-19-2017, 01:19 PM	#15
Sir kayakalot Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 269	Doesn't hurt to have zip ties on hand __________________ Hawk 250 Mikuni carb 115 main. De-catted pipe. Air box mod. 15/42 sprockets. Digital instrument cluster, FMF end cap on muffler, handlebar toolbag, Custom foot pegs
	1