A beginner's guide to maintenance tools: Difference between revisions

Line 25:

A 6-point socket is superior to a 12-point because it fits the bolt/nut better, providing more surface area and less chance of rounding off the head. For $100 you can buy all these pieces from a High-end maker, or about $70 from Sears/Home Depot/Lowe's (always buy from a company who offers a lifetime unconditional guarantee and is easy to access... this might be Home Depot and Lowe's for most people). You'll also need an oil drain pan ($10). A funnel and rubber gloves really help a lot, too.

The [http://www.microflex.com/products/catalog/dg.asp MicroFlex Diamond Grip] latex gloves work well. These have a unique texture on the fingers that actually grips after they get wet. They're inexpensive, and you can use one pair for a whole day of wrenching. And, for the areas the gloves don't cover, [http://~~automotive~~.~~gojo~~.com/~~products~~/~~product~~.~~asp?cat_id=13~~ Gojo hand cleaner], or something similar, is easy on your hands, but still gets them clean.

The [http://www.microflex.com/products/catalog/dg.asp MicroFlex Diamond Grip] latex gloves work well. These have a unique texture on the fingers that actually grips after they get wet. They're inexpensive, and you can use one pair for a whole day of wrenching. And, for the areas the gloves don't cover, [http://www2.northerntool.com/product/580415.htm Gojo hand cleaner], or something similar, is easy on your hands, but still gets them clean.

As soon as you buy sockets, and, really, before you do any work on your bike, you should buy a quality torque wrench. Some places will offer limited warranties, others offer free calibrations (they go off after awhile and need to be recalibrated) ~ you'll have to find one that meets your price range and works for you. This is a tool you'll be using non-stop (almost) so spend the money if you have it to spend.

Line 53:

Other tools you ought to pick up as time and money allow (these can all be cheaper, though it's always a good idea to buy something with a warranty) are:

A pliers set with normal, needle nose, and diagonal cutters

*A pliers set with normal, needle nose, and diagonal cutters

Various vice-grips, they come in handy every now and again, especially the needle-nose kind

*Various vice-grips, they come in handy every now and again, especially the needle-nose kind

An impact driver that uses sockets (and associated screwdriver bits on sockets)

*An impact driver that uses sockets (and associated screwdriver bits on sockets)

A rubber or brass mallet - sometimes you just need to hammer on things

*A rubber or brass mallet - sometimes you just need to hammer on things

A high quality [[What sort of pressure gauges are available?|tire pressure gauge]]

*A high quality [[What sort of pressure gauges are available?|tire pressure gauge]]

Various greases, lubes and cleaners

*Various greases, lubes and cleaners

Drill and drill bits (both normal and reverse - the reverse bits work better at removing rounded screws than EZ-outs)

*Drill and drill bits (both normal and reverse - the reverse bits work better at removing rounded screws than EZ-outs)

A [[Lubing the cables|cable luber]] ($10 item that's absolutely necessary for keeping your clutch and throttle cables in good working order)

*A [[Lubing the cables|cable luber]] ($10 item that's absolutely necessary for keeping your clutch and throttle cables in good working order)

And you'll find by this point that you're fairly comfortable working on your bike. After you have all the tools you need, start getting those that will make doing the work easier/quicker. One example is a T-handle that can accommodate 3/8-drive sockets. You may find you use it more than your actual socket wrenches. As you do more work, you'll always find an excuse to buy more tools.

Hopefully, this will help several of the newer riders out there that often ask simple questions of the maintenance nature. Get the proper resources, use the right tools, and you'll be well on your way to a well-maintained bike.

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 A 6-point socket is superior to a 12-point because it fits the bolt/nut better, providing more surface area and less chance of rounding off the head. For $100 you can buy all these pieces from a High-end maker, or about $70 from Sears/Home Depot/Lowe's (always buy from a company who offers a lifetime unconditional guarantee and is easy to access... this might be Home Depot and Lowe's for most people). You'll also need an oil drain pan ($10). A funnel and rubber gloves really help a lot, too.
-The [http://www.microflex.com/products/catalog/dg.asp MicroFlex Diamond Grip] latex gloves work well. These have a unique texture on the fingers that actually grips after they get wet. They're inexpensive, and you can use one pair for a whole day of wrenching. And, for the areas the gloves don't cover, [http://automotive.gojo.com/products/product.asp?cat_id=13 Gojo hand cleaner], or something similar, is easy on your hands, but still gets them clean.
+The [http://www.microflex.com/products/catalog/dg.asp MicroFlex Diamond Grip] latex gloves work well. These have a unique texture on the fingers that actually grips after they get wet. They're inexpensive, and you can use one pair for a whole day of wrenching. And, for the areas the gloves don't cover, [http://www2.northerntool.com/product/580415.htm Gojo hand cleaner], or something similar, is easy on your hands, but still gets them clean.
 As soon as you buy sockets, and, really, before you do any work on your bike, you should buy a quality torque wrench. Some places will offer limited warranties, others offer free calibrations (they go off after awhile and need to be recalibrated) ~ you'll have to find one that meets your price range and works for you. This is a tool you'll be using non-stop (almost) so spend the money if you have it to spend.
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 Other tools you ought to pick up as time and money allow (these can all be cheaper, though it's always a good idea to buy something with a warranty) are:
-A pliers set with normal, needle nose, and diagonal cutters<br>
+*A pliers set with normal, needle nose, and diagonal cutters<br>
-Various vice-grips, they come in handy every now and again, especially the needle-nose kind<br>
+*Various vice-grips, they come in handy every now and again, especially the needle-nose kind<br>
-An impact driver that uses sockets (and associated screwdriver bits on sockets)<br>
+*An impact driver that uses sockets (and associated screwdriver bits on sockets)<br>
-A rubber or brass mallet - sometimes you just need to hammer on things<br>
+*A rubber or brass mallet - sometimes you just need to hammer on things<br>
-A high quality [[What sort of pressure gauges are available?|tire pressure gauge]]<br>
+*A high quality [[What sort of pressure gauges are available?|tire pressure gauge]]<br>
-Various greases, lubes and cleaners<br>
+*Various greases, lubes and cleaners<br>
-Drill and drill bits (both normal and reverse - the reverse bits work better at removing rounded screws than EZ-outs)<br>
+*Drill and drill bits (both normal and reverse - the reverse bits work better at removing rounded screws than EZ-outs)<br>
-A [[Lubing the cables|cable luber]] ($10 item that's absolutely necessary for keeping your clutch and throttle cables in good working order)
+*A [[Lubing the cables|cable luber]] ($10 item that's absolutely necessary for keeping your clutch and throttle cables in good working order)
 And you'll find by this point that you're fairly comfortable working on your bike. After you have all the tools you need, start getting those that will make doing the work easier/quicker. One example is a T-handle that can accommodate 3/8-drive sockets. You may find you use it more than your actual socket wrenches. As you do more work, you'll always find an excuse to buy more tools.
 Hopefully, this will help several of the newer riders out there that often ask simple questions of the maintenance nature. Get the proper resources, use the right tools, and you'll be well on your way to a well-maintained bike.