Lost Most Of My Tool Kit. What do I need?

[Phaedrus]

Ok..I lost most of my tool kit along the PA roads somewhere  :lol:  But if I ever want to be able to do basic / routine maintenance myself, I am prolly going to need it. I called the dealer and they said it would be about $50 to replace it. I also checked eBay, and there are none on there right now.

I just want to be able to do change my plugs, air filter, adjust chain tension, adjust clutch lever play, change oil, and make other small adjustments as necessary. Basically the simple stuff shown in the owners manual.

Question: Should I get the $50 replacement tool kit, or should I just go and buy some individual tools from a store? And if I get some from a store, what tools/sizes are needed? Assume I have NO TOOLS AT ALL right now, which I more or less don't.

Any insight is appreciated  

[weaselnoze]

well i caught the 14mm wrench you threw at me.. u can have it back for say.. 20 bucks.  :mrgreen:

[groff22]

[Phaedrus]

Wow you guys are helpful.  

Almost as helpful as a fart in the wind  :lol:

Haha.

[davipu]

two beers and a cell, that's what I've been carrying lately.

[groff22]

what do you expect? Tomorrow is Friday

[Toledo Jim]

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18189&highlight=tools

[Toecutter]

I would just buy individual tools.  The stuff in the toolkit is total crap, anyway.  The only thing that might be tricky is the rear shock adjuster, but you rarely need that.  Unfortunately, I can't help with the sizes.  You'll need a wrench that will fit the front and rear axle bolts, a phillips and slot screwdriver, various allen wrenches (hex keys).  Those should all be metric.  Just keep the minimum emergency things in the kit on the bike.  

If you plan to start learning to do maintenance yourself (and you should- shops will bleed you dry), I'd recommend throwing down the cash for a decent set of Craftsman mechanics tools.  Not having the right tool for a job can lead to a lot of frustration and added expense- especially on the GS, where half of the fasteners seem to be made of warm butter.  The Craftsman sets don't cost that much and are guaranteed for life.  If you break or wear something out, you just take it to Sears and they'll give you  a new one, no questions asked.  If you don't lose stuff, you'll be set for tools for the rest of your life.

Just my $.02

[davipu]

the stocker.
http://johnla2.tripod.com/toolkit.html

[weaselnoze]

get a hacksaw too.  oh and some wire.  get really crazy and buy a left handed smoke turner while ur at it.

[cheesy]

the only thing that really matters is the shock adjuster... and even that thing is total crap... i use a steel rod and a big 'ole deadblow hammer and just knock it into the position i want

[Phaedrus]

Thanks guys, those last few posts were much more informative    I especially like the pic of the stock toolkit because it gives me an idea of what I lost compared to what I still have. Your right, I am really not missing too much.

The odd shaped thing that sorta looks like a bottle opener..is that the shock adjuster?  :dunno:  I do still have that.

[Cal Price]

Yes, thats the thing. All the other stuff can be picked-up anywhere. The sizes are clear in the pic. Buy them individually, junk shops even. It's generally better to buy the very best tools you can afford even if it means taking longer to get a set together. Once you have sorted what to carry, probably the standard kit you might want to think about a bit of wire, spare fuse, flashlight and in the future a decent socket set, again avoid the quick-fix cheapie jobs if you possibly can. There is nothing worse than a tool breaking at the critical moment, and a cheap one will.

The most useful tools I carry are a flashlight and cellphone and membership of a recovery organisation. In UK recovery is often "thrown-in" with insurance cover, depending where you live it may be worth looking into.