Suggestions for a toolkit?

[Buggles]

hi Everyone,

I want to do more of the work on my bike myself, saves me having to spend fortunes on servicing, so I can spend those pounds on breakfasts at the Ace, farkles and teas

I spotted a toolkit on Amazon:

Draper Value 71369 95 Pce Automotive Tool Kit: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Draper Value 71369 95 Pce Automotive Tool Kit: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

At £29, it seems very cheap, I'm just wondering about the quality. Would it be better to go out and buy a few high quality tools, instead of a lot of lower quality?

Also, what are the essentials I should get for doing basic maintenance like changing brakepads, chains & sprockets?

Many thanks,

JB

[1gear1brake]

I think that it looks okay for the money. As a starter kit it would be fine and you can replace items with better if/when you find they are not up to it or they wear out. Not sure about your triumph but the two spark plug sockets included in the kit (10 & 14 which seem to be always in tool kits) do not fit the Africa Twin plugs which need a 12 I think.

I tend to spend my money on Halfords Profesional range of tools. They seem to be a decent compromise between price and quality and come with a lifetime guarantee.

When changing brake pads, you will probably need a 12mm socket to remove the caliper from the forks and an allen key to remove the pad retainer pin(s). I use a g-clamp to push the brake pistons back into the caliper, clean using gt85 and brake cleaner, the use some copper grease on the backs of the new pads before installing them.

I can't help with fitting a chain as I've always taken my bike to my local dealer for that.

Hope this helps.
Dylan

[severs]

Those Halfords "Professional" tools (probably made by Teng or someone like that) are actually superb value, I can massively recommend them and they are very affordable. They only cost a small amount of money more than the Halfords "Bog ordinary" range, and yet they are easily ten times better quality. Or more. Anyway you get the point.

Unless you actually earn a living as a mechanic/technician, you really don't need any higher quality general-purpose tools.

[Cabby]

Torque Wrench is a must....Try to get one with Nm measurements (Newtons per metre..I think) to save you converting values constantly....

Don't ask me how I know this...

[RobRus]

In my experience you get what you pay for!

[allyw71]

Originally Posted by severs

Those Halfords "Professional" tools (probably made by Teng or someone like that) are actually superb value, I can massively recommend them and they are very affordable. They only cost a small amount of money more than the Halfords "Bog ordinary" range, and yet they are easily ten times better quality. Or more. Anyway you get the point.

Unless you actually earn a living as a mechanic/technician, you really don't need any higher quality general-purpose tools.

Originally Posted by RobRus

In my experience you get what you pay for!

I couldn't agree more, in the past I've bought cheap tools and they are just a waste of money. Its better to pay a little more and have tools that last, theres nothing worse than having your bike in bits on a Sunday and that all important tool you need to put it back together breaks, and with nowhere open to buy a replacement it really leaves you stuffed, especially when you need the bike for work the next day. Been there, done that

[anton88]

Can also recommend Halfords for Socket sets - got a set which ive had for about 10 yrs and has seen a fair bit of abuse, but still works as fresh as the day i bought it.

Torque Wrench - spend good money and get a decent one (and look after it), dont buy cheap - it will just break or give wrong readings.

Id guess start off with a big Halfords socket set with spanners etc in it as well, and add to it as you need - building up your tool set.

[jasonbc]

Originally Posted by allyw71

I couldn't agree more, in the past I've bought cheap tools and they are just a waste of money. Its better to pay a little more and have tools that last, theres nothing worse than having your bike in bits on a Sunday and that all important tool you need to put it back together breaks, and with nowhere open to buy a replacement it really leaves you stuffed, especially when you need the bike for work the next day. Been there, done that

I agree the price says it all £29.99 for all that kit, it's got to be crap. I tend to buy Facom, Sykes pickavent, Britool, Teng, MAc and Snap-on.

Before anybody says it as far as Snap-on goes their prices these days aren't much different from any other decent brand, and they do have some cracking monthly deals. You just got to prioritise how much your going to use the tools your going to buy and then buy accordingly if your not going to use it often don't buy the most expensive tool you can

[Buggles]

Originally Posted by anton88

Can also recommend Halfords for Socket sets - got a set which ive had for about 10 yrs and has seen a fair bit of abuse, but still works as fresh as the day i bought it.

Torque Wrench - spend good money and get a decent one (and look after it), dont buy cheap - it will just break or give wrong readings.

Id guess start off with a big Halfords socket set with spanners etc in it as well, and add to it as you need - building up your tool set.

I've taken the plunge and ordered a Halfords Professional Socket Set... £100 off list price, so it should be a good deal!

Parts ordered for my 12k service, here's to hoping I'll manage without help from the Chad!

JB

[allyw71]

Good choice