+1 for the Halford advanced stuff - it's plenty good for home servicing needs. Also grab the Haynes manual for the GS1200 LC - very handy resource to have to hand and a great accompaniment to YouTube videos etc.
Tools - Home Servicing and Maintenance
- Thread starter Smithmas
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Another vote for the Halfords professional ("advanced as they now call them???) socket sets. I tried replacing one of my ratcheted socket wrenches at Halfords and they refused as I hadn't got the receipt. It's the only halfords pro line tool that's let me down as it has a faulty ratchet but other than that mine Halfords pro kit has given me 15 years of problem free service. Also buy a decent torx set, long and short reach, and a good torque wrench. I manage most tasks from oil changes, removing fairing panels, wheels, brakes etc with really just a handful of tools. A long reach 14mm socket is needed for spark plug removal and I'd also add a removal tool for removing the coil packs above the plugs. As others have said, when it comes to tools buy the best that you can afford. Things you can get cheap which are fine include led inspection torches (or use your phone torch), telescopic magnet pens to retrieve clips, nuts and bolts (as long as they're ferrous) that may get dropped somewhere inaccessible and a little inspection mirror which sometimes comes in handy.
The other extra things I have besides the above and a decent selection of spanners and screwdrivers are circlip removal tools., a multimeter, selection of greases including LiGP grease, copperslide, a litre bottle of ACF50, rags, something to kneel on (usually a bit of cardboard!), small plastic parts bins for stuff I remove and one of those plastic gallon cans purpose designed for oil changes, the ones with a central bung you remove and it drains your oil in through the centre hole which you bung up again, take to the tip to the oil recycling bit, unscrew the filler/drain cap and empty it out.
You might want to look at an oil filter wrench of some kind too. Cheap and cheerful ones work fine.
The final thing is some blue workshop paper towel rolls and a pack of thin rubber gloves. That's basically most of what you need.
Nice to haves include a decent tool chest with sliding drawers to keep everything neat and tidy, James May style (not). Halfords used to do a decent selection for those. Their pro set socket sets have containers which fit neatly into the sliding drawers which keeps things neat and tidy.
The other extra things I have besides the above and a decent selection of spanners and screwdrivers are circlip removal tools., a multimeter, selection of greases including LiGP grease, copperslide, a litre bottle of ACF50, rags, something to kneel on (usually a bit of cardboard!), small plastic parts bins for stuff I remove and one of those plastic gallon cans purpose designed for oil changes, the ones with a central bung you remove and it drains your oil in through the centre hole which you bung up again, take to the tip to the oil recycling bit, unscrew the filler/drain cap and empty it out.
You might want to look at an oil filter wrench of some kind too. Cheap and cheerful ones work fine.
The final thing is some blue workshop paper towel rolls and a pack of thin rubber gloves. That's basically most of what you need.
Nice to haves include a decent tool chest with sliding drawers to keep everything neat and tidy, James May style (not). Halfords used to do a decent selection for those. Their pro set socket sets have containers which fit neatly into the sliding drawers which keeps things neat and tidy.
I guess my only contribution to this comprehensive assessment is why do you even bother if the dealers are good??!! Lol
Get yourself a GS-911 gizmo and bypass the Motorrad nazis completely
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OP, as you are new to DIY on the servicing front, it’s pretty safe to assume you’ll probably not be splitting the gearbox any time within the next six to 12 months. As such, the number of tools you’ll need to carry out a basic service is remarkably few, not least as BMW (in line with most manufacturers) has simplified the number and types of bolts and screws, in order to speed manufacturing and reduce costs.
The thread in the Touring Tips subsection, where a bod asked about tools for his European holiday, has a link to a US website and another site which all but tells you everything you might need day-to-day and more. Just add a torque wrench……. or go ‘tight plus a quarter’ in case of an emergency. You can decide yourself what ‘tight’ means.
As to ’How to do it’ Google is your friend. A video of checking and changing the pads on motorbike XYZ is not so very different to checking and changing the pads on motorbike ABC. There is very little (if anything) magical or radically different about a 21st century BMW.
The thread in the Touring Tips subsection, where a bod asked about tools for his European holiday, has a link to a US website and another site which all but tells you everything you might need day-to-day and more. Just add a torque wrench……. or go ‘tight plus a quarter’ in case of an emergency. You can decide yourself what ‘tight’ means.
As to ’How to do it’ Google is your friend. A video of checking and changing the pads on motorbike XYZ is not so very different to checking and changing the pads on motorbike ABC. There is very little (if anything) magical or radically different about a 21st century BMW.
another Halfords Advanced fan. The ratchet ring spanners in my socket set are lovely to use. Seems the set I own is no longer sold. It has metric and imperial size sockets so probably a poor seller nowadays.
I have tested the warranty as I managed to break one of those hollow point Torx sockets. I had used it to remove a recalcitrant Allen bolt when fitting Givi luggage to my MT09 Tracer. Yamaha use bolts made of cheese and I had to hammer the Torx into the hex after it rounded off. The Halfords socket did not break then but I had obviously weakened it as it snapped a while later. I had the receipt so no quibbling about a replacement.
As stated above, if you can, join the Trade Card scheme. I am not in the Trade but waved a genuine Elec Engineering BTeC and fake auto-electrician letterhead under their nose and they were happy to give me the card.
I have tested the warranty as I managed to break one of those hollow point Torx sockets. I had used it to remove a recalcitrant Allen bolt when fitting Givi luggage to my MT09 Tracer. Yamaha use bolts made of cheese and I had to hammer the Torx into the hex after it rounded off. The Halfords socket did not break then but I had obviously weakened it as it snapped a while later. I had the receipt so no quibbling about a replacement.
As stated above, if you can, join the Trade Card scheme. I am not in the Trade but waved a genuine Elec Engineering BTeC and fake auto-electrician letterhead under their nose and they were happy to give me the card.
While we're in this area... does anyone else colour code their tools?
I bought some humbrol enamel paints a few years ago. All my 10mm tools for example (1/4'' socket, 3/8'' socket, 1/2'' socket, combo spanner, ring spanner, ratchet spanner....) have a green band on them. Yellow for 8mm, Red for 12mm. If I want a 13mm socket, it's the one next to the red one.... Over the years this must have saved me a load of time and it just makes jobs more pleasurable.
I bought some humbrol enamel paints a few years ago. All my 10mm tools for example (1/4'' socket, 3/8'' socket, 1/2'' socket, combo spanner, ring spanner, ratchet spanner....) have a green band on them. Yellow for 8mm, Red for 12mm. If I want a 13mm socket, it's the one next to the red one.... Over the years this must have saved me a load of time and it just makes jobs more pleasurable.
As Wapping says, for basic servicing you won't need many tools on modern BMs for the occasional oil/filter change service. I use mine for occasional car repairs and for work related stuff so have more than I need for the bike.
I would but my wife already takes the piss saying i've OCD just because all my spanners and screwdrivers are in drawer organisers.
They just don't understand.
Very glad I found this thread. This is exactly what I am doing right now .. looking for basic kit for basic stuff.. brake pads, wheels off, oil filter and change etc.. just want to have a go ! Lots of good advice on here from chaps in the know.
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For most of its history BMW Motorrad made service information available. This enabled owners and independent techs to undertake most service and repair procedures themselves. For many doing one's own maintenance is a valued part of the motorcycle ownership experience. For others, who live far from the nearest BMW dealership or who embark on a great adventure to remote places, doing it yourself is the only option. Similarly independent techs having service information give greater choice to those who don't want to DIY.
All that changed in 2021 when BMW discontinued the provision of service information on ALL bikes old and new. Only bootleg copies of the factory service manual are available now. Haynes/Clymer/Chilton haven't produced a BMW motorcycle manual since 2018. If you own one of the most recent models you are totally out of luck.
More and more in North America we hear that BMW dealerships will not service bikes older than 10 years. When you combine the absence of service information with the unavailability of dealer service it does not bode at all well for the resale value of recent BMW bikes.
Fortunately there are quality alternative motorcycle manufacturers out there still offering service manuals. No way will I buy a motorcycle for which the manufacturer will not sell a service manual.
Hats off to the DIYers out there. We are a dying breed.
All that changed in 2021 when BMW discontinued the provision of service information on ALL bikes old and new. Only bootleg copies of the factory service manual are available now. Haynes/Clymer/Chilton haven't produced a BMW motorcycle manual since 2018. If you own one of the most recent models you are totally out of luck.
More and more in North America we hear that BMW dealerships will not service bikes older than 10 years. When you combine the absence of service information with the unavailability of dealer service it does not bode at all well for the resale value of recent BMW bikes.
Fortunately there are quality alternative motorcycle manufacturers out there still offering service manuals. No way will I buy a motorcycle for which the manufacturer will not sell a service manual.
Hats off to the DIYers out there. We are a dying breed.
Agree with above and sad to see another skill lost for a younger generation. The sad part is the mental health benefits that spannering can bring. It has even turned some mechanics into engineers.
I managed to get hold of a service manual for 2019 and up R1250 GSA (plus has GS stuff in it) and removed all passwords etc so anybody can use it. (its a large 1.2gb file with all the pictures and torque settings etc)...all indexed so easy to find things and nice and easy to print.
I like to keep my hand in on servicing as like others have said, great for peace of mind as I know I will do a good job, mental health etc.
I have tried to get my sons into servicing their own cars (we're talk 10+ year old cars so easy) but they just do not seem bothered and would rather pay someone else (even down to air filters and pollen filter changes).
Its clearly all down to ensuring you must bring the bike to them so they can keep squeezing some more pennies out of you.
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If you’re only interested in doing the basics such as taking a wheel out or changing brake pads then you’re throwing your money in the bin if you buy a full socket set because you simply won’t need it.
I’d be more inclined to supplement whatever minimal tools BMW sold you with the bike with a set aimed at that bike by Cruz because they’re good quality and you don’t end up with a lot of tools you’ll never use.
Bahnstormer sell basic tool rolls made by both BMW and Cruz so compare the two and you’ll be pretty close to having a list of whatever you need.
I’d be more inclined to supplement whatever minimal tools BMW sold you with the bike with a set aimed at that bike by Cruz because they’re good quality and you don’t end up with a lot of tools you’ll never use.
Bahnstormer sell basic tool rolls made by both BMW and Cruz so compare the two and you’ll be pretty close to having a list of whatever you need.
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If you want a decent starter tool kit, I have this 170 piece Halfords Advanced socket/wrench/etc set - brand new - still sealed - £195 collected from Leicestershire.
Interested?
I've had one of these for years and absolutely brilliant for the money
If you want a decent starter tool kit, I have this 170 piece Halfords Advanced socket/wrench/etc set - brand new - still sealed - £195 collected from Leicestershire.
Interested?
Starter kit! You’ve not seen my tool box.
If you want a decent starter tool kit, I have this 170 piece Halfords Advanced socket/wrench/etc set - brand new - still sealed - £195 collected from Leicestershire.
Interested?
That is rather lovely
A cynic might call it a BMW GS cult cause much of the knowledge gained from previous models is transferable forward.
I simply think BMW don’t want you working on their stuff!! Their business ethos is heavily weighted on after sales both parts and service. As we all know, this arrogance is extended to the bikes fuelling and exhaust management.
Unfortunately, I still love their bikes and will continue to persevere
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I simply think BMW don’t want you working on their stuff!! Their business ethos is heavily weighted on after sales both parts and service. As we all know, this arrogance is extended to the bikes fuelling and exhaust management.
Unfortunately, I still love their bikes and will continue to persevere
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I actually like the Moto Hansa roll because of it’s portability. It has more than enough to get you in trouble - and I seldom find the need to deviate from it.
It is expensive (around £200 from NM), but you can pick up used here for half price
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To be honest you’ll never need most of that kit for a GS, as mentioned in post #14 the GS LC is almost exclusively torx bolts with a few Allen bolts here and there (OK there are bleed nipples and the front spindle)
DO NOT show me more tools cause I have this weird ability to buy them!!I actually like the Moto Hansa roll because of it’s portability. It has more than enough to get you in trouble - and I seldom find the need to deviate from it.
It is expensive (around £200 from NM), but you can pick up used here for half priceView attachment 317492
View attachment 317493
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Checked the website and thankfully they are sold out!!
BMW PRO SERIES TOOL KIT
Motohansa makes the best motorcycle tool kits. From KTM tool kits to BMW and Yamaha tool kits. Our lifetime warranty gives you peace of mind for your adventure.
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