| Author | Message | ||
     Ed219 |
About to go to sears and pick up some tools do mods on the bike. What socket sizes do need? Does anyone sell a buell tool kit? | ||
| Damnut |
metric...... ya need metric tools | ||
| Interex2050 |
well not only metric... the standard stuff too and the allen sets in both and the torx sets as well... its almost like playing a game, you have to guess which to use or just look in the manual... (but thats cheating) | ||
| Tdiddy |
Don't buy the Craftsmen torx set. The sizes were off by a hair on the set I bought. I returned the set with no problems and bought the other brand they sell and the fit was perfect. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I have been working on my bike in a friend's garage, here is a list of the tools I take with me when I go there. They all fit in a soft "picnic" bag. Note that, as is very common today, the bike has both American, SAE, fasteners, as well as metric, so one really needs TWO sets of tools. All of these tools are available in the Craftsman tool section of Wal Marts. Not Snap On quality, but adequate for the home work shop, and they won't break the bank. Buying tools in sets is more economical than buying one wrench at a time. 1. Set of SAE combination open end, closed end wrenches. 2. Set of Metric combination wrenches 3. Set of SAE sockets 4. Set of Metric sockets 5. 1/4" and 3/8" ratchet wrenches with three extensions 6. Set of torx bits 7. Set of metric allen bits 8. Set of SAE allen bits 9. 7/8" SAE socket for the Axle removing tool. 10 . Set of Screw drivers 11. 0-50 ft. lb torque wrench. 12. Set of vice grips. 13. Set of pliers, including needlenose. 14. Soft head hammer. 15. Oil filter wrench 16. loctite medium thread blocker stick (blue) 17. Loctite anti-seize stick,(silver) This is a good starter set, and will handle 99% of the routine maintenance and modifications. I am sure some guys will suggest one or two more items. Starting to do serious mod's with a lesser assortment will leave you extremely frustrated. As the old shop hands will tell you, you just can't have too many tools. Sort of like guns that way.  PS: Of course, the first things to get are the Shop manual and the Parts Book, which not only lists all the part numbers, but contains exploded views which are very useful when it comes to putting it all back together. (Message edited by gentleman_jon on February 24, 2007) | ||
| Reepicheep |
I bought a set of those ratcheting closed end wrenches (ratchet built into them) at Harbor Freight. I think both metric and SAE sets ended up costing maybe $15 together. I got them figuring that once in a blue moon I would want something that has a ratchet but that I cant get a socket onto, so for $15 it's worth having them on hand. Since then though, I am suprised at how often I reach for them over the socket wrench. Broke one of the harbor freight ones already, fixed it with a BB from the kids Red Rider and some electrical tape  . So anyway it passed my test of "buy the cheap tool first, then if you wear it out or break it and want another, then go buy a better quality replacement". Can anyone recommend a good quality (still somewhat affordable) closed end ratcheting wrench set? | ||
| Slaughter |
Reep - love those ratcheting box wrenches. I am going to pick up a metric and fractional set in the coming week ($$gulp$$) - I think the tools that are sold at Lowes or Home Depot have decent quality and pricing. I'll be checking them out and comparing to Craftsman/Sears | ||
| Xbcrazy |
I too love the ratcheting box wrenches and will use them instead of a ratchet and socket often. My preference is for the type that only ratchets in one direction. I have had the unfortunate experience of using the type that change direction using a little switch attached to the box end of the wrench. When working in tight quarters, they have a tendency to flip from loosen to tighten on their own. | ||
| Jackbequick |
If you are going to buy both inch and metric but can only afford one of them now, buy the metric wrenches and sockets first. Inch wrenches go up in 1/16" (.0625") increments while metric go up by 1mm (.0398") increments. So you can almost always find a metric wrench that will fit inch sized hardware but the same is not true for using inch sizes on metrics. Jack | ||
| Reepicheep |
Good tip Jack. Thanks Slaughter, let me know what you end up going with. | ||
| Az_rider |
If you are looking for some basic tools for tinkering, check out the Buell tool kit. For just under $100, you get everything you need for basic maintenance tasks. I bought a set for long trips with my Uly. I am not disappointed with the quality of the Buell tools! |
