Essential equipment for servicing and repairing your motorcycle

Ideal toolbox for simple mechanics and routine maintenance

Essential tools, accessories and supplies in your garage

Contrary to what one might think, it doesn't necessarily require a large investment to complete a motorcycle overhaul or minor repairs. If you don't have all the tools you need to intervene on your motorcycle, there are always tricks and a D system. However, good tools do a good job. First of all, we spend much less time getting comfort and effort.

We have selected the essential components and equipment to enable you to operate your motorcycle in good condition. Choose according to your means, your needs, and above all, your desires and capabilities. From the most useful to the most useless, so the most important, we've gone around the perfect garage and perfect toolbox to create simple motorcycle mechanics. It's simple, it's not a kit anymore, it's at least a portfolio, at best a service ... There is something for everyone and for all expenses. In another article, we will see the most complex and specific tools for a particular repair as a professional. And remember ...

The right tools make the right mechanics!

Saddle Seat Tool Kit: Essential Survival Kit

The increasingly rare under-saddle motorcycle tool kit is still available as an option. But this is a survival kit and it contains the naked one needed to perform some basic operations (tightening or loosening). However, it also allows, for example, to disassemble the reservoir and radiator of its SV650 in order to have good access to that candle when it takes water. Does it smell alive? For example, that a simple set of tools helps and performs less obvious mechanical operations than one might imagine. Typically, it also contains a wrench for adjusting the pre-shock of the rear shock absorber, which can optionally be used to tighten the steering column. Hopefully the standard Allen wrench set is also an advantage, as are some flat wrenches, including for adjusting the chain tension.

Motorcycle tools to have under the saddle

For a more complete package, we can add:

In a mechanical type tool kit, blade keys often conflict with socket keys. Between them we find eye / pipe keys on one side and flat on the other. The "public" key is a plus.

There are very versatile flat wrench models that only allow one of them to cover most of the classic bolt sizes found on a motorcycle. Until you try to attack at least the steering column or the wheel pin nut.

Flat keys can be ratcheted or have a shape that simply shifts the key head to resume rotation. A plus for tight spaces and less pain.

Flat keys and with an angle

• Flat keys: 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22 and 24 or even 27
• Candle wrench
• Flat screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver (for Philips bits)

Garage Motorcycle Mechanic Tool Set

Keys, sockets, bits, screwdrivers

The basic kit for motorcycle mechanics is not expensive if you choose good value for money and especially for tools with a wide range of applications. Count from 75 to 100 euros for a full range of 75 to 90 instruments of very good quality. They are just as good for casual use as they are for semi-professional use. If you have heavy tool use, choose high quality tools and multiply up to 5x the price.

Basic kit for tinkering with a motorcycle

Remember, if you tamper with the "outside" parts of the motorcycle, they are all accessible or nearly accessible. On the other hand, once you have to "get to the heart" of the matter, you will often need to dive into its engine or attack inconspicuous parts, extensions and angular displacements.

Facom Motorcycle Tool Set

Whether it's called a kit, game, box, or tool case, this set of tools is a must. It is a solid base for any light or heavy motorcycle intervention. It often contains a set of Allen keys or equivalent sockets. However, the Allen keys (or 6-sided) are thinner, more efficient, and more practical in many cases. We tick the box.

Find one or more socket wrenches in these kits, including one 1/2 "and one 1/4". This corresponds to the size of the square for adapting the outlets. 1/2 "is suitable for large parts, from 10mm to 32mm. You can find short standard sockets or long sockets such as a candle wrench. It benefits from a lot of leverage. Adapting the square of the adapter allows you to fit 1/4-inch sockets. The adaptable chisel screwdriver is compatible with 1/4 sockets. Important.

With regard to keys, especially keys with a socket, we prefer 6 over 12-way: this respects the nut shape more and reduces the risk of more rounding while offering more strength.

Basic tools of motorcycle mechanical kit:

• Allen keys: 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Allen's keys and T-slot

• Phillips screwdriver: 1 and 2
• Flat screwdriver: 3,5, 5,5 and 8 mm
• 1⁄4 '' with 6 way sockets (standard nut): 8, 10, 12, 14.
• 1⁄2 ″ hex sockets: 10, 11, 12 and 14. 24 and 27 can also be useful for motorcycles, such as a wheel axle. Check your measurements before purchasing without kit).
• Long 1⁄4 '' rosettes. They are used to access recessed locations. For a motorcycle, they range in size from 6 to 13 mm.
• 1⁄2 "long rosettes. They can be useful mainly to act as candle keys. Attention, not all long rosettes are sufficient to accommodate the height of the candle. The specific key is a plus, especially since its price is not so high.

To access the inverted screws

• 1⁄2 ″ extensions 125 and 250 mm,
• 1⁄4 "extensions 50, 100 mm,
• 1 flexible extension 1⁄4 ''

Converters for using sockets on any type of square (or almost) or screwing remotely:

Square adapters

• adapter 3/8 inch
• adapters 1⁄4 inch
• 1⁄2 '' adapter
• gimbal 1⁄4 inch
• gimbal 1/2.

Bits that fit on a screwdriver, ratchet wrench or Torx cross.

Tips

The Japanese tend to have no torx (star), whether male or female. They can be found on some European motorcycles. On the one hand, it is aesthetically pleasing, on the other hand, it is convenient to limit wear and tear.

• Allen's Tips: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Allen / 6 / BTR panels. In addition to Allen keys, whether standard, T-shaped, or gripped, the Allen bit saves space and a little time.

• Flat tips: 3,5, 5,5

A flat screwdriver is useful for more than just its primary purpose. It can be used as a guide, for example, as a curetter. However, we will prefer a true flathead screwdriver over a tipped screwdriver, at least for the length and narrowness of the shaft.

• Reshiform tips: 1, 2 and 3

Eclipse tips. Cross type printing is widely used, often in standard dimension. Again, the classic screwdriver is more useful and practical, as well as more accurate. We can also consider an inch to apply more force to the available screws.

Pliers

You can add one or two pliers to this tool case, always very useful.

An extension clip is a good idea then and only of very good quality. It is used to block and sometimes tighten / relax. It is especially capable of adapting to many shapes and providing significant adhesion to the part. Be careful, however, we often tend to "tin", at least mark the nut, trying to overuse it.

The spout clip imparts delicacy and a longer and thinner shape. This famous beak. For precision work, it is convenient to pick up a nut or screw, to win or return a connector. This is a bonus.

We can stop there, the other clamps are mostly reserved for very rare operations such as repairing the brake master cylinder or removing specific pins.

Hammer / hammer

Well, the sink hammer. Hunt or dump the engine axle or wheel axle, or basically remove the crankcase. It can also be used in many other cases. To get the piece in shape, unlock the little reluctant piece, adjust as best you can. It is used sparingly and is therefore unnecessary. A hammer can do the same with proper use, and shock absorbers soften. The hammer advantage? He doesn't score.

Salt

Basic accessories and sides

Smartphone and / or something to note and draw

The amateur mechanic, especially when he is the first, must have a memory or, otherwise, a memory aid.

Thus, the mobile phone and its photography function are a precious ally and an infallible memory aid (or almost). The torch function is also a plus. Again, the phone couldn't be any smarter. Annotations, remote viewing, zoom, he knows how to do whatever it takes to lighten the stain, but keeps track of where a particular room goes to make it easier to find his way after re-assembly.

While a mobile phone is also capable of taking notes, it cannot always replace a pencil and a block of paper, especially in terms of gathering information and linking it to a diagram. Another auxiliary memory (even if it means taking photographs at the end of the operation). After all, mechanics are also tactile, but without a screen or filter.

Organizer case

By the way, what will you do with screws, bolts and disassembled parts? An organizer, cardboard for a tray, or anything that allows you to reference the piece and mark where it comes from and / or what it is used for will be very helpful to you. Don't lose anything else!

Additional consumables

Regardless of the tools, it is interesting to have on hand:

• cloth, paper towel, sufficient to absorb
• 5-in-1 WD40 type release agent. This dents, grease, is a real magical convenience product.
• one or more metal brushes or equivalent (grid cleaner). For everything that gets cleaned, the surface
• electric type tape roll, reinforced tape roll and self-tightening collars. Anything that can allow you to connect wires, cables, set them aside or group them, make a label or marker. We need it quickly, sometimes without even knowing it. It may also be available from the start, especially since it is an inexpensive stock. If you are acting on an electrical harness or cables, a little heat shrinkage will quickly be required. Think about it.
• iron straw
• fine-grained sandpaper
• special hand cleanser to remove grease and dirt in seconds, often without water

Choose the right place and organize it well

The more pleasant it is to tinker with the motorcycle, the easier it is to turn around. Therefore, the motorcycle must be well kept in place, reliable and, above all, well lit. Light is extremely important for a good perception of the "things" of mechanics. The work environment is also important. A matching rug or floor is a plus, especially when it comes to dealing with possible leaks or small parts drops.

Motorcycle lighting and maintenance are very important

RMT or motorcycle technical review or repair manual

To find out what tools you need to repair your motorcycle and to find out everything you need to do, we invite you to provide you with a technical review of your motorcycle's motorcycle, if any. RMT, by its small name, is the bible of amateur mechanics. In its native paper format, it can also be found for some models in electronic format. This will give you the dimensions of the collapsible parts, the tightening torque and the best way to do it. The Bible for restaurateurs of all kinds.

A manufacturer's repair manuals often go even further, but are not commercially easy to buy, often reserved for dealerships.

Conclusion

Working on the Japanese language requires standard tools and is fairly straightforward. Japanese engineers are rational people. There is nothing too much with them, everything is logical, well done and usually simple. Pragmatic. However, each brand has its own nut sizes and fastening types. Especially for the front and rear wheels.

Europeans like BMW may also need to search for specific keys and sockets. Riding a bike also means knowing what tools will be needed depending on what you want to intervene on.

And don't forget what is free and yet necessary in mechanics: common sense. It cannot be bought, it can be cultivated. Generally speaking, if it blocks, if it forces, if it doesn't fit, if it gets stuck, if it doesn't come, it's because we did it badly or don't have the necessary knowledge or tools. Then we take a step back and look to make sure nothing is damaged.