Does anybody know of a good set of tools that I could order that would be good for working on my bike. I ordered a Clymer manual and would like to have most of what I need so that I don't have to go out looking for specific tools for seperate repairs. Thanks.

Buying all those could cost a pretty buck
but if you have the money and are going to be using it more than for the bike then check with snap-on, S-K, mac, or even Craftsman(cheapest but still decent quality) they often sell mechanics sets with alot of what is needed included
but if you don't have the moeny autozone and such places loan you specialtity tools at no charge.  this is useful if you only use the tool a couple times a year

or you can go with an off brand "taiwan" tool for less critical areas. use them in areas where you dont have to apply major torque to. get some ball end allen wrenches. trust me. they help

definitely go with well known, respected brands as listed above. I think Kerry bought a box at Sears(?) of craftsman tools with all the pertinent stuff like sockets, open end wrenches, etc for $150 and it was pretty complete. I hope I got that $$ right...

You should be able to find aCrafstman set for about that price. Also second the ball end allen wrenches-indispensible (also get good quality) and don't skimp on a good click type torque wrench.

yeah, i was referring to the taiwan stuff as in screwdrivers, minor odd job stuff. if money is tight. also you can check at pawn shops, sometimes you can get good prices on sets or the 1 thing in your collection you are missing. craftsman is really reasonable in prices. i am now reallizing that with all of the money i put into snap-on, (which by the way are good), i could have put that into craftsman, and had a LOT more ah well

Sears will put the Craftsman stuff on sale occasionally too. I picked up a decent set with all the sockets I need for $40 or so this spring. I already had a good set of screwdrivers.

Spending a bit more for good tools pays off in less problems later.

A friend of mine used to go to pawn shops and garage sales and pick up broken/rusted Craftsman and Snap-On tools then exercise the lifetime guarantee to get them fixed/replaced for free.

Thanks for the input. I am not sure what I will need, but I found a set of craftsman on sale. Will this be all that I need, or should I go for a bigger set.


http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summary/productsummary.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0444831166.1056551325@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdhadcijidjjhgcehgcemgdffmdflg.0&vertical=TOOL&pid=00933462000&bidsite=CRAFT[/url]

Quote from: pantabloI think Kerry bought a box at Sears(?) of craftsman tools with all the pertinent stuff like sockets, open end wrenches, etc for $150 and it was pretty complete. I hope I got that $$ right...

Pretty close, Pablo!  If I remember right, I got the Craftsman set below on sale for a little under $100.  It's an all-METRIC set:



I would say that I have used about 1/2 of the tools in the set.  The problem is getting a set with just the right half!  The large socket wrench only gets used for the rear axle and for the engine mounting bolts.  The medium wrench is used for almost everything else.  The small wrench is most handy for the 7 or 8mm bolts on the engine side covers.  The extension bars are a MUST!

It's nice having the large set of allen wrenches, but again I only use a few sizes.  However, some of the more useful sizes came in two lengths, which was good.

I've only used a couple of the deep sockets, and the spark plug socket is the wrong size for the GS500 -- use an 18mm deep socket or open-end wrench instead.  I bought the 1/2-to-3/8 adaptor below the "screwdriver" handle separately - mostly for use with my torque wrench.

Kee:  The set you're looking at seems to be a pretty good "size", but the ratio of SAE to Metric tools is a little high, since everything on your GS500 is metric.  OK, OK, the fork caps apparently fit the 1/2" socket wrench (with NO socket mounted) just right, but you know what I mean.

Still, that set contains most of what you need for the bike, along with some useful tools for around the house.  I would say to go for it, and buy supplemental tools as you need them (and/or find them on sale).

Oh, one thing you'll definitely need is a reasonable set of screwdrivers.  Most of the screws on the bike are Phillips head, but a long, thin flathead is perfect for turning off the petcock under the fuel tank.  And again, you can always use flathead screwdrivers around the house.

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net

also wouldnt hurt to get a set if long t-handle allens, or/and allen sockets and a speedhandle  

All metric.  Socket set.  8-22mm if I remember correctly.  Extension bars for the socket set.  A set of metric combination wrenches come in handy for holding the bolt as you use the sockets to turn the nut, like with the rear axle, shock linkage bolts, etc.  Screwdrivers of assorted sizes.  Volt meter/test light for electrical troubleshooting.  Rubber mallet for stubborn rear axle?  Torque wrench.  Allen wrenches.  Flashlight.  This should get you about +90% of the way through your tool list, I suppose.

If they are going to be used mostly on the bike, that kit has more SAE things than you really need.

As soon as you get any tool kit like that, take duct tape (or similar sturdy tape) and wrap a good 10 layers of it around those allen wrenches and write "USE ONLY AS A LAST RESORT" on them. They are great when nothing else fits, but you will strip fewer bolts and bloody fewer knuckles with something like these (as was mentioned earlier as well).
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summary/productsummary.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0915158343.1056615811@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdhadcijidjjhgcehgcemgdffmdflg.0&vertical=TOOL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00934448000

Personally, I am a fan of Matco tools http://www.matcotools.com/ as I get a discount on them as well as Snap-On. Matco has comparable quality to Snap-On but without the price associated with Snap-On. In general, buy the best tools you can reasonably afford.

I just bought a 2 foot breaker bar last week.  

I weigh 130.  I need all the leverage I can get.

Be careful with that thing.  A 2-foot breaker bar will promptly snap off all but about 3 bolts used on the GS.

Quote from: glenn9171Be careful with that thing.  A 2-foot breaker bar will promptly snap off all but about 3 bolts used on the GS.

It was for use on a 1MZ head install, not a bike.

I want to find one of those good 10-20 pocket tool rolls and replace all the cheezy tools that came with my bikes with craftsmans.

The problem is finding the tool roll that folds up small enough to fit under a GS's seat...

craftsman does have sets in zip up pouch type containers, that sould fit under the seat. (maybe a little tightly though), that would have most of what you will need for a road-side repair.

if your going to be using the tools alot i suggest name brand last longer and save you money i buy from sears and home depot or lowes and for those special tools i need i go to matco or snap on but 50% of mine are sears the other matco and snap on sears is having a sale right now in matter of fact till the middle of august so look around

Here is a hot deal..

114 PC. 1/4'', 3/8'', AND 1/2'' SOCKET TOOL SET for $59.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=04179



May not be the best tool manufactuer.. but its a cheap enough set that is of decent quality. Marucio has a few Pittsburg tools, not bad for the price.

nostalgic ( and relevant ) bump