Hi all,

I am getting ready to do my first maintenance (~7500 miles), and I've got the Haynes manual to guide me through the process... but I need to know what tools (and specific sizes) are the bare minimum for working on the GS.  My family has not been mechanically inclined before and as such we have very few tools.  I do have a torque wrench and a couple of sockets (basically the sizes to get the tank off), and a drill, but nothing else.  I will also be changing the front fork springs and putting on a Kat shock ( first mods). 

So far my list includes:

• Feeler gauges

Impressive list eh?

I'm looking for the bare minimum hand tools (so no shop press, table saw, welder, etc...).  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

metric allen wrenches(T handle or socket style work best but not needed)
set of metric sockets 8-19 shollow and deep if you can afford them
few differnt leights of extensions 3",6",12" (one of eash is a good start)
metric combination end wrenches i have 6-30 but not all needed. but its fun to buy tools....lol

Just thinking about what I have and have used...
3/8 in ratchet wrench
set of metric 3/8 in sockets (10ish mm to 21ish mm is probably the normal range.  You need something in the 18-22mm range for removing the wheels but I don't remember which one)
1/4 in ratchet wrench
set of metric 1/4 in sockets (6ish mm to 12ish mm)
set of metric box end wrenches
a couple of phillips and flat head screwdrivers
set of metric allen keys

That should get you doing most everything you need to do on the bike.  You can probably go to just about any store that has tools and get a kit that will have all off that stuff in one nice box.  It would also have SAE sizes if you ever need them. Something like this (although this particular one might not have all the appropriate metric stuff and craftsman tends to be pretty good but more expensive stuff)
It might be more than you actually need for that particular service, but should be plenty to do must anything else too.  Do you have the stock tool kit?  If not you might want to add an appropriate sized spark plug socket.

Valve shim tool was pretty handy to me.

Removing the rear wheel is 22mm for the bolt. 12mm for the chain adjustment.  metric allen wrench 6mm if i remember correctly..to remove the metal before removing the chain guard which is a phillips screw.   14mm for the  rear suspension top and bottom bolt.  linkage is between 14mm and 17mm. 

Thanks for the replies.  I do have the standard GS tool kit (still a pain to remove plugs though  ), as well as a multi-size swiss-army allen wrench thing (should do for now).

Updated List:

• feeler gauges[\li]
  
  • 3/8 in metric sockets 10mm to 22mm
  • socket extensions (3", 12", already have 6")
  • box end metric wrenches[\li]
    
  I'll look out for the kit - probably get one from Sears or Home Depot.  I'm looking forward to this (especially the mods), and hopefully I can get it done this weekend  .
  
  Thanks again