What´s in your Zong Toolbox?
 

I´ve been searching for this info and havent had any luck finding anything. I am starting from scratch as far as tools go and with a limited budget I want to have the right tools on hand to do my own wrenching on the Zong, with the invaluable help of all of you of course.

My question is
1. Whats tools are a must have for your garage toolbox?
2. What tools are a must have for your on bike tool kit?

Maybe broken down farther with tools that are an absolute must and tools that are just damn nice to have to save knuckles, a third six pack, late nights or your wrenching friends never speaking to you again.

Detailed information will be appreciated. I want to have a base set of tools for the house and a set for the road. Labor to work on the motorcycle here is very very cheap but my experience is that most of the bike repair shops (one on every corner here) are staffed with shade tree mechanics and repairs are a lot more guess work than they should be. Anyway I want to get my hands dirty and get to know the bike so if any problems arise I can tackle them myself. If this information already exists please point me in the right direction, if not please post your .02 cents for a good cause. Thanks in advance for your input.

Here are some basic tools for repair/maintenance done at home.

Socket ratchet and sockets
Socket extensions
Combination wrenches
T-handle Allen wrenches
Large and small crescent wrenches

Do not forget hammers, ball peen and dead blow :tup:

I would also include a rubber mallet, which I use instead of a dead blow hammer. :)

A variety of punches are also helpful at times. ;)

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-piec...set-66337.html

Home garage (most of these are "nice to haves", but are not strictly necessary):
- Electric impact wrench
- Torque wrench
- Allen Head sockets
- Dremel or grinder (replacement of original chain)
- Tire tools (2 or 3)
- Tube patch kit
- 30mm socket (for counter sprocket - better to have one handy than look for one later if needed)

Excellent info. Thanks for the quick replies. Harbor Freight was my best friend when I was there. Not sure where to look here. We have a Home Depot type store here so I guess thats as good a place as any to start.

What about specific metric sizes? Anything odd other than the 30mm mentioned?

Spud you keep posting listings for Chinese tools are you trying to tell us something :lmao:

Disclamer

Weldangrind and I are merely enablers; we can't actually force anyone to spend money on new tools. ;)

:lol:

You'll want:

Sockets:
8mm socket or ratcheting wrench
10mm socket or ratcheting wrench
12mm socket or ratcheting wrench
14mm socket or ratcheting wrench
18mm socket (left side of rear axle, left side front axle)
19mm socket (right side of rear axle)

3/8" ratchet
1/2" ratchet

You'll want Allen Wrenches or sockets in the following sizes:
4 mm (some of the body panels)
5 mm (most other Allen head bolts)
6 mm (I think I used this once... can't recall)

And for screwdrivers:
Phillips
Flat head (long and short lengths)

I think that, along with the 30mm socket, will be most of what you'll want to have on hand.

As for mallet... I have both a steel, brass hammer... but for most automotive and motorcycle related uses, I use a hammer I have that has a rubber and urethane head (rubber one side, urethane on the other.) I keep the steel and brass hammers for punch/metal work.

Thank you!!! Friday isnt coming fast enough. I guess Im going tool shopping tonight.

I'd add a hydraulic motorcycle stand, if you don't have a center stand.
Forgot to add threadlock.

Here's my tool pouch that I transfer between my RX3 and Honda NC700x.
Tool pouch from Christian Motorcycle Association. Adding to things already mentioned: zip ties, master link for chain emergencies, chain cleaning brush and lube, multitool, spoke wrench , spark plug socket wrench, adj. cresent wrench for axle nuts, feeler gages for setting valves, tire tube patch kit, air pump, appropriate fuse puller.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pscs2f8nxh.jpg
I put the longer tools in these tubes under the side cases held on with hose clamps.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psxoyxaekh.jpg
chiropractor $$$$$ a visit, Harbor Freight lift PRICELESS
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps5rny14oa.jpg
Cell phone pics ,but you get the idea.
It never ends, rj

Indeed, the list of tools you can purchase seems almost endless. ;) Since you are just starting out with motorcycle maintenance, I suggest you purchase only the essential tools. After you work on your bike for a while, you will incrementally start to add other tools as the need arises. :)

Thank you !!!
 

I really appreciate all the replies. Going to start with the basics you guys have noted and work my way up. I doubt I´ll ever get to the hydraulic lift since I currently park the bike in the living room of my apartment but I definitely want to start wrenching as soon as i get it so I know what I have to deal when when/if the time arises that I have to do it. First step will be double checking fasteners and learning to take off the pretty parts to get to the dirty parts. Come on Friday!!!! Suppose to call today and they will confirm if I can pick it up Friday. Only have to work one more week and then start a 6 week vacation. So will have plenty of time to play. Thanks again all!!! :thanks:
Here´s the Yamaha FZ16 packed and ready in my living room last year for a road trip.
Attachment 3995

You're a CMA member? The local chapter president goes to our church, and a few of our congregational members have also joined (including our Pastor). I may have a thread on this topic soon...

So, the HF lift is working out well for you? I've looked at it in the store a few times, but the placement of the bottle jack seemed awkward to me. It looks like it's not positioned for good mechanical advantage. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

As for the HF lift, I've changed the front cock to the loop kind that really captures the front tire. The loop holds the bike up while putting on the tie downs. You need to jack it up all the way to the top ,insert the safety bar then back it down and this takes all the play and giggles out of the lift when it is under tension. Also run the 2 front feet down onto the floor to steady it further. I've moved 2 of the tie down loops to the front of the lift. Other then that the jack placement seems to work fine and only time I need to be careful is taking bike on and off lift because of tripping hazard of the handles that lift it and let it down. So I just remove them and put them underneath the lift out of the way.
I have friends who are members of CMA and everyone has been welcome at all their rallies members or not. But I'm just a Christian, not a member of CMA and I bought the pouch at one of their campouts. Very rugged pouch. I appreciate what the CMA does but I don't join groups that I can't devote the time that is needed to be a active member. I prefer to read my Bible at home and not get involved with the money making business that much of the "churches" have become. I DON'T believe CMA to be in that category and are a real help at the rallies I've been to where they are some of the hardest working people there. While everyone else is out riding and having a good time , they are there to serve others, doing a lot of the "grunt" work the rest of us don't want to do.
Organizations are man made and have rules and regulations , meetings and dues to pay for it all. Not my cup of RX3 tea. So I freelance so to speak and let the Lord direct what to do with my life. They all have their place in the world and I don't doubt that they do a lot of good .
So much for my theology, I don't want to side track this thread with a bunch of religious or political arguments so take it for what it is worth as just rj's "thing"