Tools

[sscott]

Besides metric size sockets and wrenches, is there anything else I should have in the tool box to work on my GS? I'll be doing brake and rear drum maintenance and changing out the petcock. Just for starters. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[bonanzadave]

A laptop with Cliffs website pulled up.

Maybe a nice pr of needle nose pliers or even a vice grip needle nose.

Impact Driver.

Always gonna need the cleaning stuff. Brake cleaner, solvent, rags.....

 

[Charlie G]

sscott,

Aside from sockets, wrenches, troque wrench which I had three years ago when I got back into bikes, I've purchased valve adjustment tool, and a Morgan Carbtune carb sync tool. I had to replace my compression tester due to it being 33 years old. I don't change my own tires. If you did that, there would be special tools. An amp meter to check the electrical system. Ice box to hold (hide)the cold (warm)beer. Good luck

 

[Guest]

correct JIS screwdrivers

correct JIS screwdrivers

What we see as Phillips screws on these bikes are actually Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) screws.

Try this link for more information: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=128086&highlight=JIS&page=2

And this one as well: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=127454&highlight=JIS&page=3

I bought a set and they seem to work better than any Phillips I have in my toolbox.

 

[Jagir]

a six pack, a radio with Led Zepplin playing, digital camera, rubber gloves, pencil and paper (for notes), safety glasses, rags, flashlight, dust mask if you are doing brakes and a milk crate or stool to sit on.

 

[Guest]

Besides metric size sockets and wrenches, is there anything else I should have in the tool box to work on my GS? I'll be doing brake and rear drum maintenance and changing out the petcock. Just for starters. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

According to some, a hammer

I myself prefer a fat doobie!

 

[woodsietx]

Don't forget fastener chemicals like anti-seize and thread sealer. I also recommend a can of penetrating oil like PB Blaster. I like having paper towels and shop rags both.

Some sort of small part containers are useful, like zip lock baggies. A handful of plastic zip ties make good temporary fasteners if you need something held in place while working on the bike.

I had to buy everything new when I started working on my GS this summer. I bought a voltmeter, torque wrench, impact driver, CarbTune, battery charger and others. I have been replacing the Philip heads with stainless cap screws (allen head) so I had to buy a new set of those wrenches. I bought new metric sockets and wrenches. Screwdrivers. Pliers, etc...

A swing arm stand has been priceless since the PO had removed the centerstand. I prefer it now even though I found a used centerstand.

Walmart has a plastic folding table that is about seat high to a 750E that works well as a portable bench for those who have to pick up EVERYTHING after the work is complete. I wrapped the top with a garbage bag for easier clean up. I think it's about $20.

Another laptop tip. Get a digital copy of your service manual and put it on the laptop so you can access it even if you have no internet connection. I just open that folder up and click away as needed.

It's been a fun journey so far.

Woodsie

 

[sschering]

What we see as Phillips screws on these bikes are actually Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) screws.

Try this link for more information: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=128086&highlight=JIS&page=2

And this one as well: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=127454&highlight=JIS&page=3

I bought a set and they seem to work better than any Phillips I have in my toolbox.

I'll 2nd that one..

THe Hozin set is the ones I have..
http://www.ikaswebshop.com/hojisscset4d.html

McMaster-Carr sells a set with #3 JIS that is a perfect fit for the engine side covers.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#jis-%28japanese-industrial-standard%29-screwdrivers/=4qxmi4

Found these the other day..
http://pbtoolsus.thomasnet.com/category/jis-precision-bits?
They have #1-#3 in long double ended 1/4 drive bits for $3 each

 

[BentRod]

A clean(ish) place to put parts. your going to get a lot of odds and ends, so keep them neat so you don't lose anything.

Rags,

Cleaners, in your case soap and detergent for the petcock. and Brake Cleaner is a must for ANY brake work.

I support the impact wrench, it was one of my first buys along with brushes, degreaser and various lubricants.

Locktite is also a must.

 

[gbw]

Keep a digital camera handy. Take pics...lots of pics...as you take things apart. That way when you get called away during reassembly, you'll be able to go back and look at what went where. Also, you'll be able to post up lots of pics on your progress right here on GSR

 

[tas850g]

[QUOTE) Another laptop tip. Get a digital copy of your service manual and put it on the laptop so you can access it even if you have no internet connection. I just open that folder up and click away as needed.

It's been a fun journey so far.

Woodsie[/QUOTE]

where do you get a digital copy of your service manual?

 

[woodsietx]

Another laptop tip. Get a digital copy of your service manual and put it on the laptop so you can access it even if you have no internet connection. I just open that folder up and click away as needed.

It's been a fun journey so far.

Woodsie

where do you get a digital copy of your service manual?

There's several here.
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

One of the other members sent me a better one on a CD. I broke it into chapters using Adobe at work.

Woodsie

 

[WilliamGLX81]

I'm a bit late, but I'd add a magnet and a steel bowl to hold parts in. Things don't go rolling away if you have a big fat magnet to hold it down

-Will

 

[Guest]

I hate to say it, but a small easy out for those bolts that snap and screw heads that get chewed out and have to be drilled out... and there'll be a new thread in here in a minute where I'll be asking how to get out a broken easy out...

 

[KitKat]

impact drivers are a must for these older bikes!

 

[WilliamGLX81]

I hate to say it, but a small easy out for those bolts that snap and screw heads that get chewed out and have to be drilled out... and there'll be a new thread in here in a minute where I'll be asking how to get out a broken easy out...

Cobalt Steel drill bits and luck! OR.... don't use them! Drill the bolt the whole way out - CS drill bits will cut through the studs a lot better than standard HSS or titanium. And I would avoid the easy outs entirely, they're really tough steel, tougher than HSS, and are a nightmate to remove.
The other option is to not break them! Heh.... good luck with that though.

 

[Guest]

Thanks William, if only I had've known that earlier

Anyway, I'll be looking for something like this today or tomorrow I hope if I can get some time.

I'll also be trying the tungsten carbide tip for the dremel if I can find one.

 

[Kcwiro]

I was looking for this exact with rally season coming up and I want to have tools with me. This is the solution it seems small and compact for long trips love it.

http://www.aumih.info/Tips/toolkit.html

 

[bwringer]

You've got my phone number, right? I'm right across town, you know.


Other than the basic mechanical and cleaning tools, the thing I find the handiest day to day is a good stock of stainless metric fasteners, or at least a nearby Ace hardware. I have an ironclad rule in my garage about those nasty evil philips head screws -- they get measured and go directly into the trash.

 

[Redman]

How did we get to post #20 without anyone else mentioning:

Volt-ohm meter ! ?

<< later note. Okay, now I see an "amp meter" was mentioned before.
But nowhere in the stator papers nor anywhere else do you measure "amps".
Do definaitly want to measure volts and ohms, and some intstructions call for using "diode test".