Tools - Home Servicing and Maintenance

[TIJ650]

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)

True, but it was primarily designed around Motorrad stuff and the tool quality is much better than most stuff on High Street(Halfords Advanced being the exception) The t-bar thingy is amazing for most BMW Torx applications too.


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[TIJ650]

DO NOT show me more tools cause I have this weird ability to buy them!!

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.

www.motohansa.co.uk

lol Me too
My latest fixation is Dewalt cordless stuff!!


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[Bigcats]

lol Me too
My latest fixation is Dewalt cordless stuff!!


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Beat you to it!!

I even have their tyre inflator...its absolutely brilliant

 

[TIJ650]

Beat you to it!!

I even have their tyre inflator...its absolutely brilliant

Know it’s not a USP, but love that most stuff comes without battery or charger - so you can interchange. Me being minimalist n all!


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[Pukmeister]

There are several ways to build up a good toolkit, it mostly depends on your budget.

As an apprentice I bought Stanley socket sets, most probably taiwanese steel, they are a full set of 1/2" and 3/8" drive in both imperial and metric sizes. I still have them, the downside is they are double-hex sockets so potentially weaker.

Years later I moved to Bahco socket sets which I bought whenever I saw them on offer, high quality Swedish made in 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" drive but metric only and hex only so six-sided and much stronger/less likely to round off. I also have a few tools from Facom, Wera, Snap-On and the likes which are expensive but you only buy them once.

For Torx, Allen and 12-point sockets I bought a Draper Pro set in a blue metal case which has seen sterling service for about twenty years and is still going strong. I believe Machine Mart do the exact same set in a red metal case for about £30, ideal for a GS owner and handy on cars too:

Draper 40 Piece Tx-Star Hexagon and XZN Mechanics Bit Set - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

Another small inexpensive tool I found super handy for my Hexhead GSA was a small security torx set, especially as its essential to fix the fuel pump controller at the roadside. I carry it on the bike just in case:

Clarke PRO39 8 piece TX Tamper Proof Bit Set - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

 

[Victor c]

I had the pleasure of being in charge of the engineering stores and workshop, on one of HM finest warships, that was being decommissioned in the mid 80s. It was absolutely criminal what we literally dumped over the side in the Bay of Biscay. From screw drivers to lathes, it was cheaper to do that than to pay for it to be removed in the dockyard at Pompy.

 

[Rusty]

Ok so second time on this thread. Clearly I do NOT need a "set" of anything but a torque wrench will be a must. I have read reviews and bike mags telling me this and that but what do you have ? You are GS'ers. I do not want to break the bank nor do I want any dog shit. Please let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[Nin]

These will cover your needs.

 

[leadfarmer]

I have a Teng tools 1/4 drive for 0 - 25 NM and a Tacklife 1/2 drive for 13 - 203 NM

Both are certified when new

 

[Bigcats]

Ok so second time on this thread. Clearly I do NOT need a "set" of anything but a torque wrench will be a must. I have read reviews and bike mags telling me this and that but what do you have ? You are GS'ers. I do not want to break the bank nor do I want any dog shit. Please let me know. Thanks in advance.

I have a halfords one (lifetime warranty) which goes from 8mn up to 80nm

but for the big stuff I went to Machine Mart and now have a further THREE going right up to 200nm (I don't need 4 but who's counting)

Its also worth looking at the digital torque adaptors if you already have various rachets and socket bars as they offer a wide torque range (30 -360nm) and vastly cheaper if you are not going to use it often. Just make sure you get the right size for your socket bar (1/2 inch etc)

Something like this

Clarke PRO238 ½" Drive Digital Torque Adaptor - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

 

[GSite]

Perhaps learn about the use of thread lock, how and when to use it and the importance of using the right amount of heat, suspect that you won't need anything other than blue Loctite..

 

[APHezzer]

Hi - I can recommend the Motahansa kits: https://www.motohansa.co.uk/

I was introduced to these by the team at BMW ORS (their one day course is excellent BTW, as it teaches an approach) .. Motahansa kits have specific tools for models, are well thought out and the quality is outstanding. You can achieve a lot of jobs on the main stand but a simple jack helps to prop up and stop 'see-sawing'. A few other items I would include in any home garage would be:

- Some safety glasses .. I have some which have a small magnifying lens in the lower part which is dead useful
- Torque wrench .. unquestionably one of the most important tools on a bike
- Penetrating oil for any seized fasteners ... I've been using plus gas for about 35 years
- Silicon spray which is a great lubricant for plastics
- A general lubricating/cleaning spray such as GT85 (WD 40 is okay but I find GT 85 is a step up as it contains teflon and does not seem to be as 'harsh')
- Couple of good wire brushes, one brass for cleaning up plugs ad removing old loctitite and surface corrosion
- Blue loctite for re-assembly where stipulated
- Different sized cable ties .. really useful for keeping things out of the way when working on assemblies
- A worklight
- Patience .. line up the job you want to do, prep up parts e.g. service kit and have a simple list of tasks wither jotted down or in your head
- Youtube videos .. pretty obvious but most jobs are well covered online
- Phone .. I take pictures as I work so I know how things 'were' before I started taking them apart, especially useful for getting cable runs and 'orders' correct
- Couple of plastic tubs to put parts and fasteners in as you work .. I often put fasteners back in the holes or kept together in correct order
- Rags and paper towels .. clean as you go

.. and would completely agree with TIJ650's comment above .. be realistic about what jobs you will and will not take on.

Apologies for any repetitions, this was just a quick 'brain dump'.


As you carry out jobs on the bike you'll also then be able to add any common tools not in a kit e.g correct feeler gauges

All the best and good luck .. the achievement will far outweigh any frustrations

 

[TIJ650]

Perhaps learn about the use of thread lock, how and when to use it and the importance of using the right amount of heat, suspect that you won't need anything other than blue Loctite..

Never use the stuff. Novice mechanics have done more damage with this stuff than anything else. Need heat gun to release it - or strip threads!! Hate the stuff. It’s up there with stickers for me! lol

 

[TIJ650]

Hi - I can recommend the Motahansa kits: https://www.motohansa.co.uk/

I was introduced to these by the team at BMW ORS (their one day course is excellent BTW, as it teaches an approach) .. Motahansa kits have specific tools for models, are well thought out and the quality is outstanding. You can achieve a lot of jobs on the main stand but a simple jack helps to prop up and stop 'see-sawing'. A few other items I would include in any home garage would be:

- Some safety glasses .. I have some which have a small magnifying lens in the lower part which is dead useful
- Torque wrench .. unquestionably one of the most important tools on a bike
- Penetrating oil for any seized fasteners ... I've been using plus gas for about 35 years
- Silicon spray which is a great lubricant for plastics
- A general lubricating/cleaning spray such as GT85 (WD 40 is okay but I find GT 85 is a step up as it contains teflon and does not seem to be as 'harsh')
- Couple of good wire brushes, one brass for cleaning up plugs ad removing old loctitite and surface corrosion
- Blue loctite for re-assembly where stipulated
- Different sized cable ties .. really useful for keeping things out of the way when working on assemblies
- A worklight
- Patience .. line up the job you want to do, prep up parts e.g. service kit and have a simple list of tasks wither jotted down or in your head
- Youtube videos .. pretty obvious but most jobs are well covered online
- Phone .. I take pictures as I work so I know how things 'were' before I started taking them apart, especially useful for getting cable runs and 'orders' correct
- Couple of plastic tubs to put parts and fasteners in as you work .. I often put fasteners back in the holes or kept together in correct order
- Rags and paper towels .. clean as you go

.. and would completely agree with TIJ650's comment above .. be realistic about what jobs you will and will not take on.

Apologies for any repetitions, this was just a quick 'brain dump'.


As you carry out jobs on the bike you'll also then be able to add any common tools not in a kit e.g correct feeler gauges

All the best and good luck .. the achievement will far outweigh any frustrations

……….and proper workbench with vice and grinder/ brush………and kerosene parts washer to remove blue loctite!!

 

[APHezzer]

……….and proper workbench with vice and grinder/ brush………and kerosene parts washer to remove blue loctite!!

you really do not like blue loctite
.. but I am grinning wryly as I have been there and stared at the absolute horror when someone has used about a whole bottle on one bolt and it's 'everywhere' .. cheers

 

[Rusty]

Thank you everyone .. lots to look at and a few bits to get. I shall keep what I do simple and that will be enough for me. Ta very much.

 

[TIJ650]

you really do not like blue loctite
.. but I am grinning wryly as I have been there and stared at the absolute horror when someone has used about a whole bottle on one bolt and it's 'everywhere' .. cheers

Don’t get me wrong, I would use if taking bike off-road cause hell lot shaking etc. My GSA only sees odd gravel road - so personal preference not to use. I enjoy checking all screws & bolts when servicing over winter anyway. Each to their own

 

[Bigcats]

Thank you everyone .. lots to look at and a few bits to get. I shall keep what I do simple and that will be enough for me. Ta very much.

One thing you should take away on tools

If you buy cheap (amazon) then you could end up breaking things that will end up costing you far more in the long run to get it fixed (I'm not talking Snapon here, unless you can afford it but good named brand as others have mentioned on here)

So spend out on tools as they will save you a headache down the line!!

 

[Bigcats]

Don’t get me wrong, I would use if taking bike off-road cause hell lot shaking etc. My GSA only sees odd gravel road - so personal preference not to use. I enjoy checking all screws & bolts when servicing over winter anyway. Each to their own

My Vespa PX is held together with the stuff!!

 

[Mr Bean]

A set of Snap On T handled Torx wrenches was one of my best buys. Expensive for what they are but they just seem to 'bite' into the screw.

You never get the feeling it's going to 'slip'.

Other than them, Teng torque wrenches.

Much prefer knowing I have torqued fittings to the manufacturer designated numbers, assuming the wrenches are reasonably accurate.