Tools Needed for Maintaining Silverwing?

I plan to maintain my SWing - but don't have much in the way of tools - only this and that - certainly not a complete 'automotive or motorcycle' set. I am looking for tool recommendations that meet the following criteria:
1. Quality - Needs to be OK to do the job, but nothing exceptional as my tools will get used 'very little'. Not to say they are not important - but I do not plan on buying the top of the line (if the top costs a lot more).
2. Sizes - Need to have a range of sizes to handle the swing.
3. Functionality - Need to be such that they can disassemble/reassemble the swing. Don't have to be the easiest tools to use - but they need to work.
4. Manufacturer - Tools will be purchased in USA. The common ones should be available from name brands - such as Sears, Harbor Freight, etc.
5. Engine Work - Assume only work is necessary on ancillary parts of engine (e.g., valve adjustments, carbs, etc.) but no splitting of the engine to access pistons, crank, gears, etc., as this work will be done by my dealer.
6. Cost - If you have a great SET of tools to recommend (e.g. , Harbor Freight set xyz, or Sears auto set abc, etc.) then by all means please recommend them as SETS seem to range in the $50 to $500 range at my stores and I can never figure out which is the best one to buy (or avoid) due to having too few (or too many) tools. Specify approximate costs that you may have paid or that you have seen, if this information is available to you.
7. Specialty - Suggest the specialty tools that are really needed vs the ones that you don't really need if you suggest an alternative approach, a DIY tool, or an alternative vendor.
8. Maintenance - Tools should do all of the necessary maintenance noted in the Honda Service Manual (which I have).
I could go through the service manual - and all of the threads - to get some of the above data; but I am hoping that someone has already done this. If there is a link to what I am asking - please advise. Lot's of what I am asking is 'personal preference' - but the responses will likely be varied, interesting, and many. Hopefully this post/thread will lead to a suggested tool master list that can be compiled/posted somewhere on this forum (or maybe it is here already). Thanks!

Hi Dimond,

There's a bunch of tools needed to work on the Swing, 2 that I recommend would be any High torque/slow speed battery opporated phillips screw driver and a large cheep set of 6 sided impact sockets from Harbor Freight Tools. You can find them on sale every once in a while.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-38-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67870.html

This isn't going to turn into 'How do you learn to lean' Part 2 is it ?

Meldrew wrote:

This isn't going to turn into 'How do you learn to lean' Part 2 is it ?

Cynic!!

Waspie wrote:

Meldrew wrote:

This isn't going to turn into 'How do you learn to lean' Part 2 is it ?

Cynic!!

Of course I am, why else would I choose Meldrew as a forum name.

Dimond,

Let me soften the critique a bit.

What ever tools you may have now - may be all you will need. I've gotten in trouble for this in the past, but "it's not rocket science." Admittedly, I do not do much of the maintenance on our bikes; oil changes and simple tasks like that. Imagine that I don't do much maintenance and yet I still suck air on a fairly regular basis. Inhale - exhale, keep it that order and don't stop - every thing will be okay.

Ride it - ride it - ride it. Best thing you can do. Don't get too wrapped up in the idea that you will have to change tires or belts on the side of the road in the middle of the night during a rain or snow storm. If you are a rational person you will be tucked into your cozy bed at that time of night.

I'd recommend:

A good quality set of cross tip and flat tip screw drivers
A nice set of 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch metric sockets and ratchets.
A good quality set of metric hex keys (allen wrenches).
Good quality pliers including a needle nose plier.

Lowes, Home Depot, and Sears are all good places to pick up these kinds of tools.

A torque wrench to go with your sockets might be handy.

Keep what you have and only buy if you really need a tool.

Dimond wrote:

I plan to maintain my SWing - but don't have much in the way of tools - only this and that - certainly not a complete 'automotive or motorcycle' set. I am looking for tool recommendations that meet the following criteria:
1. Quality - Needs to be OK to do the job, but nothing exceptional as my tools will get used 'very little'. Not to say they are not important - but I do not plan on buying the top of the line (if the top costs a lot more).
2. Sizes - Need to have a range of sizes to handle the swing.
3. Functionality - Need to be such that they can disassemble/reassemble the swing. Don't have to be the easiest tools to use - but they need to work.
4. Manufacturer - Tools will be purchased in USA. The common ones should be available from name brands - such as Sears, Harbor Freight, etc.
5. Engine Work - Assume only work is necessary on ancillary parts of engine (e.g., valve adjustments, carbs, etc.) but no splitting of the engine to access pistons, crank, gears, etc., as this work will be done by my dealer.
6. Cost - If you have a great SET of tools to recommend (e.g. , Harbor Freight set xyz, or Sears auto set abc, etc.) then by all means please recommend them as SETS seem to range in the $50 to $500 range at my stores and I can never figure out which is the best one to buy (or avoid) due to having too few (or too many) tools. Specify approximate costs that you may have paid or that you have seen, if this information is available to you.
7. Specialty - Suggest the specialty tools that are really needed vs the ones that you don't really need if you suggest an alternative approach, a DIY tool, or an alternative vendor.
8. Maintenance - Tools should do all of the necessary maintenance noted in the Honda Service Manual (which I have).
I could go through the service manual - and all of the threads - to get some of the above data; but I am hoping that someone has already done this. If there is a link to what I am asking - please advise. Lot's of what I am asking is 'personal preference' - but the responses will likely be varied, interesting, and many. Hopefully this post/thread will lead to a suggested tool master list that can be compiled/posted somewhere on this forum (or maybe it is here already). Thanks!

Hi.
Just remember.
No problem is so big or so complicated that it can not be handed to others.
Bob

Cell Phone

Don't forget to have your favorite distilled or malted beverage near your tools.

If you have to ask what tools are needed-----probably you shouldn't be wrenching on a plastic scooter. Since in US market they come with no tools---at least have enough to remove wheels in case of tire problem.

Ride everyday...for everything and then you will understand scooter. Many dealers don't.

Honda Service manual nice to have.

Credit card and cell phone can get you out of trouble-----trailer bikers usually do not stop to help.

john grinsel wrote:

Credit card and cell phone can get you out of trouble.

+1

Thats my sort of riding tool kit.

At home - you can never have too many tools!!!!

Aside from my shop tools, many of which are Harbor Freight or Husky, and the tool kit that came with the bike, I keep on the bike (in the left locking pocket) a Cruztool multifunction tool, a small 12v tire inflator, a small bottle of tire slime, an 8oz squeeze bottle of motor oil, a couple of disposable neoprene gloves and several paper towels.

I wish it was practival to carry the tools required to remove and install the rear wheel, but it just isn't practical. I do own a 120v impact gun but don't carry it around.

Jesse in Atlanta

I keep telling the cheese n kisses that too Waspie, but it is nice to have everything toolwise, even in dreams.

Imagine how this thread would look if Dimond had a Pommie bike.
Oh yeah, hammer screwdriver lots of rags and a shifter and a pan.


* US translation:
Imagine if Dimond owned an English bike eg BSA Enfields Ariels and Nortons. He would be advised to get a flat blade screwdriver, a 1 lb hammer, a monkey wrench and a large number of rags with a sizeable drip tray to keep under the bike when parked

Two very useful items I got from Cyclenutz are a Roadgear tool roll and a Versatool. The tool roll has lots of pockets for all kind of tools and the Versatool is a compact nut and screw driver with a selection of bits. It has different torque positions and can work in tight spaces. (fits well in the tool roll.)

A Pair of Pliers and Bailing wire. Thats all that needed for the model A ford

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and recommendations. I have purchased a few more tools to get started. I will let you know what I end up with a few months down the road. If anyone has any future suggestions then please feel free to add them to this post.

Leatherman Supertool 2/300.

Some good sockets, and metric combi spanners.

Good allen keys.

Tyre pressure gauge

Carry some of the above to supplement the bike toolkit, if you want.

Rear tyre and bust band are not roadside jobs really!

I also keep a tire repair kit in case I hit a nail or something.

I have almost all Snap On but that's because I used to work for them

I'd say the most important tool to make sure is well made are your screwdrivers and allen drivers. I highly recommend the Phillips with the ACR ribs. They are little ridges on the bit that bite the fastener and do a great job of preventing stripping.

The socket for the oil plug should be very high quality and only 6 point, not 12pt. Trust me, you don't want to try to remove it once it's been stripped out! DAMHIK!

You don't need a lot of tools, Honda is pretty good about using a few sizes only. 8,10,12,14,17,22,24 is about all you'll ever use.

I'm going to be doing the valve adjustment and tracking down a buzz in the front fairing I think might be a broken tab from yesterday's knock over in the parking lot. I'll make sure to take lots of pics and maybe a video of the valve adjustment. I've done that many times on older Suzukis and Hondas so I know I can do it.

Hi Octarine,

Sorry to hear your new scooter was on it's side.

I was just wondering...Was the scooter on it's side stand or center stand when you left it in the lot

Dennis

Side stand. The parking lot had a bit of an incline. On my goldwing or gs, that wouldn't have been a problem but not so for the sw. Lesson learned, touchup paint ordered.