Tools - Home Servicing and Maintenance

[Smithmas]

Hi All,

I have a 2017 R1200 GS and have decided to leave my comfort zone by doing as much maintenance and tinkering as I can at home. Servicing, brake pad changes, taking the wheel off to get the tyre changed type of stuff…..

Are you able to help me with any must have tools / kit I need and you recommend please - especially comprehensive reasonable quality Torx screwdriver and socket sets etc.

Any resources of ‘how to’ also appreciated. Anyone near to LE11 with knowledge and wanting to share the wealth then that would be great.

Cheers and much appreciated.

 

[SBD]

Buy the best tools you can afford. They might not be the most expensive, but don’t buy cheap.

you can do worse than Halfords (get a trade card if you can), Wera are good for screwdrivers, Torx, Allen etc.

 

[Pootler]

As above buy the best you can afford, Motorworks have a good selection and complete kits + some of specialist tools.

 

[TIJ650]

American tools are best and Chinese worst. Craftsman are my favourite if you can get. Think they were bought by Black and Decker though?! Halfords Pro stuff okay too. US Pro and Bergen are cheaper option for torx sets. Think Tawain or Chinese, but haven’t failed me yet.
Also, I’d recommend a heat gun cause BMW just love that blue loctite and if you try and loosen anything north of size 50 torx with loctite - easy to strip without heat first.
Finally and as a permanent backdrop, BMW DON’T want you to work on their bikes and really want you to take it to one of their shiny and expensive shops! Keep that in mind before attempting any DIY chores!
Classic example of this is their Oetiker clamp bands at throttle bodies and airbox.
This tool is handy for toolbox:

OETIKER O-Clip Hand Installation Pincers with Side Jaw Crimping Tool - TL9240 5016720439575 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for OETIKER O-Clip Hand Installation Pincers with Side Jaw Crimping Tool - TL9240 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

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[TIJ650]

…………tbh, if you stick to brake pads, taking wheels off and changing oil - all you need is a good Torx, socket and metric ring key spanner set. Final drive fluid change arguably as important as engine. There’s plenty YouTube videos for this.
If you manage all this without skinning knuckles over next 12 months - come back and I’ll tell you where to get feeler gauges for checking valve clearance


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[Smithmas]

Thanks for the replies, great info - specific kits / links would also be great. I do a google search and get a whole host of options, so anything you guys already have would be appreciated.

 

[FoxCorp]

You really can't go wrong with Halfords Advanced tools - I've been using them for years without a problem & lifetime guarantee (but only if you have the original receipt!)

 

[Smithmas]

You really can't go wrong with Halfords Advanced tools - I've been using them for years without a problem & lifetime guarantee (but only if you have the original receipt!)

Thank you!

 

[leadfarmer]

I don’t even have any torx screwdrivers, I use a ratchet, extension and socket, through habit

if you’re not used to “spannering”, get yourself a reasonably decent torque wrench, or to be precise get two, avoid tears before bedtime through stripped threads

one 1/4” drive for low torque values, such as FD drain plug and filler, brake pad pins etc, and one 1/2“ drive for higher values like the sump plug or wheel bolts

here is a very useful list of torque settings

http://jimvonbaden.com/Wethead%20Torques%204.pdf

 

[dean0n0]

You really can't go wrong with Halfords Advanced tools - I've been using them for years without a problem & lifetime guarantee (but only if you have the original receipt!)

I've changed a few without a receipt, never been asked for one.

 

[Smithmas]

I don’t even have any torx screwdrivers, I use a ratchet, extension and socket, through habit

if you’re not used to “spannering”, get yourself a reasonably decent torque wrench, or to be precise get two, avoid tears before bedtime through stripped threads

one 1/4” drive for low torque values, such as FD drain plug and filler, brake pad pins etc, and one 1/2“ drive for higher values like the sump plug or wheel bolts

here is a very useful list of torque settings

http://jimvonbaden.com/Wethead%20Torques%204.pdf

Thank you!

 

[russ996duke]

A decent torque wrench for wheel nuts and servicing FD and splines on drive shaft for example

 

[TIJ650]

Halfords Advanced 150 Pc Socket & Spanner Set | Halfords UK

The Halfords Advanced 150pc Socket & Spanner Set features versatile tools for any task, made from durable chrome vanadium for long-lasting performance.

www.halfords.com

This would definitely be enough to get you in trouble! Lol
Buying used on FB marketplace or Gumtree not worst idea either


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[leadfarmer]

Check what you want to do before buying spanners or sockets, you don’t need them, the GS LC is almost exclusively torx bolts with a few Allen bolts here and there

 

[TIJ650]

Just remember Torx is king on BMW bikes. There’s a few hex bolts too, but not much else


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[TIJ650]

Check what you want to do before buying spanners or sockets, you don’t need them, the GS LC is almost exclusively torx bolts with a few Allen bolts here and there

I think “snap” on our response at same time!!


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[TIJ650]

I actually think Leadfarmer makes a very good point. Walk round the bike and look at things you actually want to do. Start by buying those tools. I think a compact Torx set along with a set of combination spanners (8-19mm) might be enough. And if you’re changing the oil - a filter socket might be handy.


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[TIJ650]

Expert by Facom 3/8 Inch Socket Set

Set includes 12pt, 6pt deep, torx and hex bit sockets.Set includes: Standard 12-point sockets: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24mm.6-point long sockets: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19mm.Screwdriver Bits - Hex: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 mm. Torx: T8, T10...

www.toolstation.com

This might be handy. The compact 1/4 inch drive sets might be okay for brake pads and removing body panels etc, but useless for taking the rear wheel off.

PS. You’ll need something like the attached to remove the front wheel spindle. Some of old bike toolkit spark plug thingies work too. Like I said previously, BMW don’t want you to fuck with their bikes!!





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[Smithmas]

Expert by Facom 3/8 Inch Socket Set

Set includes 12pt, 6pt deep, torx and hex bit sockets.Set includes: Standard 12-point sockets: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24mm.6-point long sockets: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19mm.Screwdriver Bits - Hex: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 mm. Torx: T8, T10...

www.toolstation.com

This might be handy. The compact 1/4 inch drive sets might be okay for brake pads and removing body panels etc, but useless for taking the rear wheel off.

PS. You’ll need something like the attached to remove the front wheel spindle. Some of old bike toolkit spark plug thingies work too. Like I said previously, BMW don’t want you to fuck with their bikes!!

View attachment 276071
View attachment 276072


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Cheers!

 

[TIJ650]

BMW R1200GS Adventure 2014 - 2016 Haynes Repair Manuals & Guides

Need to service or repair your BMW R1200GS Adventure 2014 - 2016? Online and print formats available. Save time and money when you follow the advice of Haynes' master mechanics

haynes.com

Maybe this should be your first purchase. Have a read of the task in hand first.


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