So I need tools. Is there a tool kit I should start with?

[cadymae]

Can anyone recommend a tool kit/set for me to start with?

I need to be able to take the sides off and adjust the stand they just sold me and
I think those are both allen wrenches. I have only a ragtag collection of tools from
years of bicycling and my dad's old tools.

-Cady

[dcj13]

Don't know how much you have to spend.

If I had a few hundred dollars to spend, I'd go to Sears and get their biggest or second biggest Craftsman tool set. (Craftsman hand tools have a lifetime guarantee: bring a busted tool back and they replace it then and there, no questions asked, no receipt necessary).

If I had less to spend, I'd go to Harbor Freight and get a collection of tools.

[cadd]

What stand did they sell you?

You don't need any tool set. Just purchase whatever you need as you go. Here's a good set of Allen wrenches that I use.

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-85-753...len+wrench+set

But it's always good to get a set of ratchet and sockets & a set of combination wrenches if you'll be working on your cars & bikes in the future. Try to get those at your local Sears when they go on sale.

[cadymae]

Thanks. I just ordered those allen wrenches.
None of my bicycle allen wrenches fit the ones on the m/c.

[ninjamunky85]

For Allen wrenches I like Bondhus. Reasonably priced and made in U.S.A.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00012...FJL&ref=plSrch

[ninjamunky85]

Honestly though if you're looking for a starter tool set I've got two word, Harbor Freight.

http://m.harborfreight.com/130-pc-to...ase-68998.html

This is coming from someone that owns way more tools than one man needs. I think the last time I counted I've got over 20 ratchets. Everything from cheap stuff that the manufacturer didn't know bother to put a name on to expensive U.S. made tools..

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by cadymae

Thanks. I just ordered those allen wrenches.
None of my bicycle allen wrenches fit the ones on the m/c.

This statement worries me since 99% of all bicycles use metric Allen keyed screws and the ninja uses 100% metric Allen keyed screws.

What I recommend is a decent set of Allen key metric T-handles, a general 3/8 drive socket and ratchet set, a set of metric combo wrenches, a quality 5 piece screw driver set and two individual sockets to fit the front and rear axles since they most likely won't come in your sets. If you have the extra coin a 3/8 drive torque wrench would be nice but I'd hold off on that until you need it.

[cadymae]

Thanks Ninjamunky. I just ordered that as well.

And honestly perhaps all my bicycle wrenches work but I couldn't find one to fit the side panels. Now I have complete fresh sets that no boyfriend has ever borrowed anything from!

[cadymae]

I'll take a pic of the stand tonight. My honey drove it home in the car while I headed to work on the bike.

[adouglas]

If I were starting from scratch I wouldn't go for a big kit. You wind up with a ton of stuff you can't use -- sockets that will go for decades without ever leaving the box, etc.

Not counting the giant sockets I need for my hub nuts, I use a grand total of four different sockets and three different box wrenches. That's it.

Spend your money on GOOD tools (not Harbor Freight) that will last you a long time. Craftsman used to be great, and is still adequate. Husky (Home Depot) and Kobalt (Lowes) are arguably better these days.

Basics:

- A FACTORY MAINTENANCE MANUAL. Get this!!!! Best $75 you'll ever spend. No kidding... just do it.

- A set of good, long metric Allen keys. My go-to, used every time I work on the bike, is actually a set from Performance Bicycle. Great quality. I don't see the exact set I have on the Performance website anymore, but this one branded Spin Doctor appears to be the same. Avoid cheap crap... it'll mangle your fasteners and put you in a world of hurt.



- A good 3/8 ratchet. Kobalt (Lowes) makes one with fine teeth, which is nice to have.

- A socket extension. Need not be long.

- Sockets and box wrenches for the bolts on your bike. The new ratcheting box wrenches (GearWrench) are handy. The drain plug is, IIRC, 17mm. Don't recall what the Ninjette axle bolts are, but consider 1/2" drive sockets for those (see breaker bar, below). On bikes, generally you need 10 and 12mm to handle most of the fasteners you'll encounter. Brake reservoirs and such are 8 mm. You can also get 3/8 drive hex bits for the ratchet, which come in handy.

- A torque wrench or two to cover the full range of torque values you'll encounter (everything from 5 to 75 ft-lbs.). Get used to torquing fasteners, and practice ahead of time so you get familiar with your wrench BEFORE you mangle a critical fastener. (Tips: "Click" torque wrenches don't actually click, NEVER use a torque wrench to remove a fastener, and set it back to zero before you put it away). Don't be that guy who cheaps out and strips the drain bolt because he was too cheap to buy a torque wrench.

- A #2 Philips screwdriver (see below). I believe the big black screws on the Ninjette fairings are actually #3, so might as well get one of those too. Chances are all you'll find are Philips, but it's actually the wrong tool. Japanese cross-head screws are called JIS and a Philips will mangle them eventually. Be careful and you'll be okay.

- Blue Loctite.

- Spares for stuff that needs to be replaced often (oil drain plug crush washers, well nuts for body fasteners, spare body bolts for those moments when you drop one and can't find it).

REALLY nice-to-have:

- A paddock stand (and swingarm spools). Makes working on the bike MUCH easier. Pit Bull is the gold standard and will last forever. T-Rex makes good stuff, cheaper.

- Rolling stool (Harbor Freight - ok to cheap out here). Saves your knees and back.

- A good, bright head lamp. More useful than you might think.

- #2 JIS screwdriver instead of your Philips. Available at Amazon.

- A 1/2 inch breaker bar for those big-ass bolts (e.g. axle), and 3/8-1/2 adapters as needed for your sockets.

- A dead-blow hammer. More useful than you might think.

- A T handle. The new spinner one from Motion Pro is awesome. Pair this with hex bits in 4 and 5 mm and you're a force to be reckoned with. Super-useful on my GSX-R when swapping to my track bodywork, because of the large number of fasteners.



- Magnetic pickup tool

- Inspection mirror

- Dental picks

[Trailerboy531]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

This statement worries me since 99% of all bicycles use metric Allen keyed screws and the ninja uses 100% metric Allen keyed screws.

What I recommend is a decent set of Allen key metric T-handles, a general 3/8 drive socket and ratchet set, a set of metric combo wrenches, a quality 5 piece screw driver set and two individual sockets to fit the front and rear axles since they most likely won't come in your sets. If you have the extra coin a 3/8 drive torque wrench would be nice but I'd hold off on that until you need it.

This is the answer. You can do 95% of the bike with these tools.

Also zip ties.


edit: just read adouglas' post above. That thing is beautiful.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

Honestly though if you're looking for a starter tool set I've got two word, Harbor Freight.

http://m.harborfreight.com/130-pc-to...ase-68998.html

With respect, 110 of the 135 pieces in that kit are of no use in Ninjette maintenance. A claw hammer? Really? And SAE wrenches... If you're looking for tools for your motorcycle, buy the ones you need.

While HF is just fine for stuff you view as disposable, I learned the lesson of quality a long long time ago. I went through multiple versions of pretty much the same thing... crappy, gritty ratchets, poorly plated sockets that don't fit quite right, etc. etc. You wind up creating more problems than you solve, and eventually wind up buying what you should have in the first place.

The following rule always applies:

Buy quality. Buy it once. Keep it forever.

I have a 30-year-old torque wrench that I still use. My good sockets are about 20 years old. Etc....

You don't need Snap-On, Matco or MAC. You do need decent stuff, though.

HF gets the job done in a pinch and is okay if you're on a Ramen-noodle-every-night budget. I've got my share of crappy tools lying around the house. None of them get used on the bike.

One other rule has saved endless grief:

If you don't have the right tool for the job, stop. Go buy it. You'll be happier in the end.

Like many others, I've encountered those situations where I tried to "redneck engineer" my way out of a problem using the tools at hand. And far more often than not, wound up in worse trouble than I was before.

I once changed an alternator belt with a pair of pliers (not even vise-grips) and a straight-bladed screwdriver, because that's all I had. It was not fun.

[cadymae]

adouglas - That's an awesome answer.
I have printed it out for future reference.

I have nothing really so the harbor freight set is a start.
My bf will have at it in no time and be losing things from it anyway so
in this case, cheap is probably better until I get a locking toolbox.

And I really like the rolling stool and headlamp suggestions.
The light in my garage is not good.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

This is the answer. You can do 95% of the bike with these tools.

Also zip ties.


edit: just read adouglas' post above. That thing is beautiful.

Thank you. If I remember to, tonight I'll take a photo of the tool kit I take to the track. It's got all the essentials in it, plus stuff I didn't mention above. (e.g. sockets for trailer hardware).

[cadymae]

adouglas - just sent you a pm asking for your help.
if you get a chance would you tell me which to pick, please?
and thank you.

[michvin]

Originally Posted by adouglas

While HF is just fine for stuff you view as disposable, I learned the lesson of quality a long long time ago. I went through multiple versions of pretty much the same thing... crappy, gritty ratchets, poorly plated sockets that don't fit quite right, etc. etc.

+1!
TWO of HF sourced ratchets broke on me yesterday when I changed the drive belt on my car.

[ninjamunky85]

Originally Posted by michvin

+1!
TWO of HF sourced ratchets broke on me yesterday when I changed the drive belt on my car.

That's funny, my HF composite ratchets are my go to ratchets, even over my more expensive made in U.S.A. craftsman professionals Had em for years with no problems. Any tool will break if you abuse it. You don't use a 1/4 in ratchet to loosen a bolt torqued to 80 ft/lbs. I also never use cheater bars on my ratchets, that's what breaker bars are for.

[adouglas]

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check out those composite ones... from time to time HF can surprise you. Not everything they sell is crap. Just most of it....

Here's what I look for in a ratchet:

- A nice smooth action with no looseness. Should not feel gritty or harsh.
- Good fit and finish. Pick up a crappy tool and hold it next to a good one. The difference will be obvious.
- A quick release for the socket. Your hands will get greasy, and smooth sockets are slippery.
- A fine-toothed ratchet mechanism. The finer the teeth, the less you need to swing the handle.

[NevadaWolf]

Re torque wrenches, yes there is better but for the stuff I've done on my bike, the Harbor Freight click type have really come in handy. Plus, wait for the sale coupon and get them for $10 each.

My tool box is full of hodge podge bits as I went with the "buy it as I find I need it" approach. So most of my first time service jobs end up getting stalled mid way through as I make a run down to Ace or AutoZone to pick up a tool.

One of these days I'll make an inventory of what I actually use, go to Ace or Sears and buy quality replacements for the most used tools.

[adouglas]

I was just on the HF site looking at that composite ratchet that Ryan mentioned (looks nice, actually) and just for grins looked at the reviews of their torque wrenches. There are a few horror stories of typical HF inconsistent quality (Like the drive shearing clean off, the retaining ball falling out, etc.) but many of the negative reviews say more about the idiots using the tool than the tool itself.

For those of you who aren't familiar with these things, "click" style torque wrenches DO NOT CLICK at low settings. They yield a bit and hit a stop that you feel rather than hear. So noobs often keep cranking harder and harder, waiting for a click that never comes and.... well, you know. OMG IT'S SUCH A CRAPPY TOOL! Morons.

There's actually no "clicker" mechanism in these things. What you hear at higher torques is the head slapping into the edge of the handle once it yields. At those settings, the yield happens more suddenly so it's obvious. But at low settings it's very gentle and there is no sound or noticeable snap.

That's why I said to practice and learn about the tool BEFORE you use it for real.

[michvin]

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

Any tool will break if you abuse it. You don't use a 1/4 in ratchet to loosen a bolt torqued to 80 ft/lbs. I also never use cheater bars on my ratchets, that's what breaker bars are for.

I didn't abuse them, really. Maybe, it's just their time has come: they served me well for a few years, and for the price I don't complain

[InvisiBill]

There's a local shop around here known affectionately as The Cheap Tool Place. Some of their ads even stress that sometimes buying a cheaper tool is better (if you only need to use it once, less likely to get stolen, etc.). I absolutely agree that spending twice as much on a quality item will generally serve you better than having to buy two (or more) cheap ones, but in some cases cheap stuff is good enough. Unfortunately, learning when you can and can't get by with a cheap item usually involves breaking it and having to go buy another one...

Anyway, this place also sells tons of individual tools of decent quality. I bought a nice Craftsman set (since I work on a variety of vehicles in both SAE and metric), but it's really handy to be able to go buy the one little thing I need. A second socket in a particular size to hold the bolt head while I'm turning the nut or whatever. A kit will give you a base with a nice variety, but like others have said, it will include a lot of stuff you don't need, and may be missing some things you do need. Two 17mm sockets will do more for your Ninja than a 17mm socket and a 3/4" socket.

Also, the bike comes with a basic tool kit. You should be able to use that to do basic work on the bike. If it's missing, you don't necessarily need to replace it with the OEM kit (though you know that'll fit in the bike and cover the basic needs), but it'll at least give you a good idea what tools in what sizes are needed.

[cadd]

Originally Posted by adouglas

....and set it back to zero before you put it away).

Ouch! Really? I always left mine to the last setting. Any reason why setting it to zero is a preferred method? Going forward, I'll start setting it to back to zero after usage. Thanks for the advice.

[verboten1]

The spring will be under compression and could change the value.

[Kurgan]

Got a Costco membership?

I recently bought their Kirkland "Mechanic's Tool Set" and it contained pretty much everything I needed in both standard and metric except for some longer ratchet extensions, and the drop down adapters for the ratchets.

The only other stuff I've bought since then is the extensions, the drop down adapters, a couple torque wrenches, and some right angle screwdrivers for those really tight places.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by verboten1

The spring will be under compression and could change the value.

I discovered this the hard way. I've mentioned that I have a 30-year-old torque wrench. One day I was at HF and spotted a nifty little digital torque meter for about $25. That's cheaper than having your wrench checked, so I bought it and discovered that my beloved old torque wrench reads about 3 pounds low. It's pretty consistent across the range of the digital meter, so I just use that as a fudge factor.

After 30 years, the wrench doesn't owe me anything. I suppose I should replace it at this point.

[cbinker]

so far the top purchase for me is Allen Wrenches in a Socket Set.

$20 from Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_338623-22328...ductId=3387790

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by cbinker

so far the top purchase for me is Allen Wrenches in a Socket Set.

$20 from Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_338623-22328...ductId=3387790

Yes!!! These plus the Motion Pro spinner T handle make fairing removal SOOOO much quicker and easier.

[csmith12]

I advise good quality and KISS when it comes to tools and use 5 point sockets on nuts/bolts as much as possible.

Using the right tool for the job is always your best bet.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by csmith12

I advise good quality and KISS when it comes to tools and use 5 point sockets on nuts/bolts as much as possible.

Using the right tool for the job is always your best bet.

5-point sockets might be a step TOO simple, since the fasteners we use in this world are 6-point.



Except for the ones on fire hydrants. You can go to town on those with your 5-point sockets.

[csmith12]

lol sorry, I blame the pain meds. hahahahahah

please bear with me for the next 2 or so weeks.

[VaFish]

I got this 3/8" T-handle set on Amazon thinking it would be small enough to keep under the seat. It's a little large for that, but with the exception of hex head and axle nuts it seems to have the sizes I need to do work on my Ninjette. And it keeps everything together.

http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-Dri...dle+socket+set

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by csmith12

lol sorry, I blame the pain meds. hahahahahah

please bear with me for the next 2 or so weeks.

[bruce71198]

I wouldn't cast Harbor Freights stuff aside. I stocked my motocross tool box with their sockets and wrenches, a couple hammers, some of their screw drivers and as a professional mechanic of 30 years I found the quality to be above what I expected. Also Pitsburg (HF) warranties the stuff for life. I have yet to warranty any of it. Come to think of it they out perform Craftsman.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by bruce71198

Come to think of it they out perform Craftsman.

I dunno if I would go that far and I have my fair share of HF tools. It's been my experience that if you put some serious torque on a 14mm HF socket and it will break before a craftsman.

And wtf is the deal with craftsman as of late??!?!? They seem to rust faster than they used to.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by csmith12

And wtf is the deal with craftsman as of late??!?!? They seem to rust faster than they used to.

Says the man who has standing water in his tool box.

It's true. I saw it.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Says the man who has standing water in his tool box.

It's true. I saw it.

bwahahahahahahahah BUSTED!

[bruce71198]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Says the man who has standing water in his tool box.

It's true. I saw it.

Snap On used to produce blue epoxy coated tools for the marine industry, next time I see the rep I'll see if they have a catalogue for Smith.

[csmith12]

I have 2 snorkels, one for the bike and another for the tool box! lol

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by csmith12

I dunno if I would go that far and I have my fair share of HF tools. It's been my experience that if you put some serious torque on a 14mm HF socket and it will break before a craftsman.

Y'alls gotta unnerstan that @csmith12 is from Kentucky.

Down there they do stuff like this when they run into a stuck bolt.