In need of tips on where to buy tools

[Lefurge]

Hi, I just bought a 1980 GS1000 and I'm looking to rebuild it. I have almost no tools to use, and I wanted to get some advice on what types of toolsets I should be looking into to get the job done. This mostly does not include specialty tools used specifically for rebuilding motorcycles, or any powertools. I'm on a budget of around $1,000

 

[bonanzadave]

Sears - Craftsman. 1/4 drive regular & deep sockets and a variety of extensions. Get a good ratchet and a set of wrenches. Gear wrenches come in handy. A couple decent screw drivers. JIS phillips tip is nice. An organized box will keep you moving (no - "where did I put that ?!?!") Wide variety of solvents, spray lubes, rags, and a oil catch pan. Berrymans carb cleaner.

Plus a ton of other stuff............

 

[Lefurge]

Thanks! I know that I will need a lot, but I need to know where to start. I always appreciate the help

 

[still_bluenoser]

A couple different length metric alen key sets too. A #2 philips with a long shaft comes in very handy.

If your doing an engine rebuild you will also need at least a 1/4 drive torque wrench.

 

[Captain_Trips]

I got a Master Mechanic set, metric and standard. 1/4 and 3/8 drive, screwdriver handle, two extensions, and a whole slew of sockets. Deep sockets for spark plugs and stuff, too. Got it for Xmas, but it couldn't have been more than $100. Hasn't let me down yet.

Get a nice set of combo wrenches, some allen keys, an impact driver, and a torque wrench, and you're golden.

 

[Guest]

I don't have a wide collection of specialized tools, but there is one that you'll probably not be able to live without. It's called a Impact Screwdriver. I would get the Sears Craftsman one, as they hold up pretty well.
Most of what you'll need are your garden variety metric sockets, rachets, combination wrenches, screwdrivers, vice grips, needle nose pliers, circlip pliers, mallet, feeler gauge, etc.
A place to get alot of tools cheap, or cheap tools is Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/a-b-hp...tBnI6M-4JMZ1T3CN8GfHTFw&bvm=bv.41642243,d.eWU
That will get you started, the rest you just buy as you need them.
You can spend as much as you want on tools, the cost increases as the quality goes up. For seldom used or one time use tools Harbor Freight is good enough for me.
Additionally, you'll want a multimeter. A good dremmel tool with accessories is really handy. A drill. Maybe a small high speed buffer.

You'll end up buying lots of expendable stuff too, like maybe vinegar, Evaporust, WD-40, paint, rags, grease, anti-seize, and the list goes on. Buy as needed, you'll spread the cost over the long run.

If you're really going to get deep down into the nitty gritty, you'll need calipers, carb sync tool, torque wrenches.

You'd be surprised how much work you can do with a limited amount of tools though. Most commonly used are screwdrivers, sockets, and wrenches.

 

[koolaid_kid]

I own a lot of Harbor Freight tools. Only buy the ones that have a lifetime warranty, that is their good stuff. And a lot less than the other guys.

 

[850 Combat]

The Motion Pro carb Synch tool is handy, and I like their float checking tool as well. You will have to remove the choke cable stop from the carbs to reach all the carb synch adjusters with the motion pro tool, but it works well. I'm a fan of 3/8" drive allen wernches, and also T handle allens. I use the hesk out of my 1/4" drive ratchet sets when doing routine maintenance.

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

Nice Kit with life time warranty

Nice Kit with life time warranty

Here's a kit that should cover most of your needs to start, and it's under $200.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...ional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

 

[chuck hahn]

You can find good used stuff at flea markets..and they will often have some craftsman and other name brand stuff mixed in the bins. You just gott dig and look at the name brands on the wrenches and sockets.

I would go with a good quality impact driver for sure though. Its an invaluable tool for many jobs not only on the bike but on the cars as well.

 

[chuck hahn]

I got a NICE 4" Milwaukee angle grinder at a flea market for 5 bucks. I replaced the cord with a much longer one and i have had it for at least 5 years..cheap and a name brand known for reliablity and toughness.


If you dig around you can get decent tools at fractions of the new prices is what I am trying to say here.

 

[gbw]

You are also going to want the Suzuki Valve Shim Tappet tool.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDe...alve+Shim+Changing+Tool+Suzuki&item=MP08-0017

Fortunately its pretty cheap.

And for sure, as mentioned earlier, you're going to want a few JIS screw drivers. Do a search as there are a few threads on here that explain why you need them and offer good sources for purchase. I have a couple of sizes and they really make life easier.

And I use hex sockets a lot. But my PO replaced all the engine case screws with hex bolts. These make removing and replacing covers and such a LOT easier. Something like this: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-evol...p-00910058000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[eil]

This is one of the most useful tools I own: http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools...T7RW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1359666626&sr=8-3

Although I can't vouch for this particular brand, these are good for removing o-rings and rubber boots, making marks in soft metal, pushing pins, opening up holes, digging out crud, etc, etc. Think of all those things you've used your smallest flat-head screwdriver for that wasn't turning screws.

 

[gbw]

+1 Good call on the picks. I picked up a set at sears like this. You'll be surprise how often you use them.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-pc-hook-and-pick-set/p-00947077000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[Guest]

Pick up one of those cheap telescoping magnet picker-upper things at HF... they come in handy for those rare (?) times you might drop a screw/bolt/nut washer into a place you can't reach

 

[1980GS1000E]

Anti-seize and WD-40. Mity Vac brake bleeder. Motorcycle lift table. HF has them on sale for 299 then use the 20% off coupon.

 

[Allie]

Don't forget the hammer and the vise grips! Channel Lock pliers are also a good all-rounder.

For a basic motorcycle toolbox I'd recommend the 1/4 drive metric socket set, which hopefully will include a couple extensions, ratchet, flex bar. For smaller areas a 3/8 drive set is very handy, and should have a nut driver handle in it. Deep sockets are great but I really don't think there's anything on a bike that needs them, is there?

A metric combination wrench set is good, if you have some money for it get a metric stubby wrench set. Having two wrenches of the same size can be very useful at times. Most motorcycle fasteners range from 10 to 15mm, I'm not sure about the axle nut though, I use a 15/16 open end wrench on mine, it's pretty big.

The screwdrivers of course, JIS is best and a couple flat blades in various sizes, including a long skinny one.

Pliers - slip jaw, needle nose, vise grip, lineman's, channel lock, maybe diagonal cutters and you're good to go. If you try to rebuild brake cylinders long skinny needle nose pliers can be used to get the retaining clips out. Oh that reminds me you want snap ring pliers too.

Hammers - ball peen, small sledge and a rubber mallet are the biggies.

Allen keys are only needed if you replace existing fasteners with them, engine case screws and intake screws are popular ones to replace.

Small wire and brass brushes are great, and a large wire brush is often useful too. SAVE those old toothbrushes as well, all of them.

When you get into rebuilding that engine though you'll be needing quite a few specialty tools...

That HF tool set looks like a nice starter set that you can build around, but since you have 1k marked for tools take a look at similar Craftsman sets too, they're about $300 and well worth it IMO and still leave you lots of money to fill it out with extras. For $1000 you can basically have any tool you want and a fairly nice box, though I fear once you buy all the specialty and machining tools you'll be over that, but you buy what you need when you need it, not all at once. IMO invest in a good quality basic set, then decide what can be 'economy' and what should be good quality.

Oh a tip, I got this nice box at Home Repo for a good price, about $130 I believe. It's now $98, you might consider JUMPING on it. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203420937/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=tool+chests&storeId=10051#.UQsr6aWCmSo

 

[chuck hahn]

Walmart has the 40 or 60 piece STANLEY kits that have the SAE and METRIC allen wrenches..lifetime warrenty too.

Something like 55 bucks on sale.

 

[Guest]

If you have any pawn shops nearby, check them out too. Lots of times they will have boxes just filled with loose tools. I go every now and then and find some good stuff. Last time I went in, found a loose set of Craftsman screwdrivers. Gave .50 a piece for 6 of them.

 

[Allie]

The Stanley stuff still looks like mostly good quality stuff for the casual mechanic, even though it's made in China now. I have some Stanley stuff that I see was made in the US, sigh those were the days....