I thought I had seen a thread about this a while ago here somewhere, but I can't seem to find it now. And I've been wanting to post this question for a while but felt stupid so I held off.

About a month or so ago I thought I could change my risers myself and found out that it wasn't quite as easy as I thought. Tried unscrewing the bolts with a wrench, and clearly do not have the right tools. I hate to sound like an idiot but this has never really been my thing in the past. It took absolutely forever to get basically nowhere and I know this can't be the way it's done.

I'd like to be able to make some changes to my bike myself without having to pay somebody every time to do the work. Like changing bars/risers, and now that everyone says how simple it is to pay taxes yourself, I thought I'd finally cave and ask what kind of tools I'd need to do this.

Thanks.

Dad likes to say you can take a Sporty down to nothin with a 1/4" drive set...

He's not too far from wrong! :)

You'll need a socket set (SAE), a Torx set and allen set (the fold-up ones go great in the tool bag) A screwdriver and an SAE box-end wrench set...

I actually have a duplicate box-end wrench set, and its proved invaluable at times...

With these tools, clearly, one CAN tear a Sporty down to near nothin'....

(edit: silly me....a torque wrench is a REALLY good idea...)

Don't even think about starting paying taxes without some PBblaster or a similar penetrating oil. Getting them slip-ons off will go much easier.

A good start is to buy the service manual for your bike. It's a must have if you are planning on taking a wrench to your bike. (Shocked that Chuck didn't mention this ;) )
Then secondly, is one of those Sears mechanic tool sets.
This one (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&bidsite=&pid=00933263000&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes) is similar to what I have. Then you'd do good to get yourself a torx bit set. I bought a cheapy set at Ace and it included both the elusive T25 and T27 bits.

A breaker bar comes in handy. I know I never would have got the riser bolts removed without my breaker bar.
One of those impact drivers is also highly recommended by many members here. I have never used one but I do use air tools sometimes to loosen things.

A torque wrench is another much needed tool.

Those are some of the things that immediately come to mind that I feel comfortable having in my garage when I work on my bike but I'm sure others will think of more. You will probably find that you will periodically add to your tool collection but the above will get you moving in the right direction. I started with a 200 piece sears mechanics set some years ago and now have well over 1k worth of tools. Most girls buy shoes, clothes and jewelry - Xena buys tools. ;)

Jade, that is FAR from a stupid question!!!!

It has been pounded into my head over the years to "have the right tool for the job." Now yeah, you can cheat here or there, but having the proper stuff just eliminates a ton of troubles and adds confidence.

Chuck gave a good low down. BTW, SAE=Society of American Engineers. In short, standard inch sizes vs. metric.

I can't say enough about having a good and complete set of torx bits for these bikes and T-Handled allens are great too. I've barely broke the skin on mine and already I've realized how much I appreciate these tools.

An inch/lb and a foot/lb torque wrench are good ideas too.

Thanks so much for the replies. They are much appreciated. I'll spend some time tonight after work checking out everyone's suggestions online & doing some research on pricing and figure out if getting the tools is the best way to go for me. I think it is so far, and maybe I'm going to have to let Santa know about some changes in my priorities (not that they ever were shoes, clothes or jewelery...) :D

As for the service manual, I do already have this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1563925346/104-7404738-4172727?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance

I bought my bike used so I bought this book and my HD owner's manual separately. Think I should still buy the HD service manual?

No...that book is probably as complete as the Moco's....

And most likely a damn sight easier to navigate..... :)

Great, thanks!

I've been checking out a lot of things online based on everybody's help here. I've made some choices on tools, but I was wondering about impact wrenches.

I'm thinking about an air impact wrench, so I'm looking at compressors. From what I've read, compact compressors might not be powerful enough, does that sound right? And I'd need a piston compressor?

I would only be using this thing for my bike, and I just want to make sure I'm not getting something that wouldn't be strong enough but I don't want to go overboard either. There seems to be a pretty significant difference in price. If I don't need the more expensive solution then I'd like to get away cheaper.

I've been checking out a lot of things online based on everybody's help here. I've made some choices on tools, but I was wondering about impact wrenches.

I'm thinking about an air impact wrench, so I'm looking at compressors. From what I've read, compact compressors might not be powerful enough, does that sound right? And I'd need a piston compressor?

I would only be using this thing for my bike, and I just want to make sure I'm not getting something that wouldn't be strong enough but I don't want to go overboard either. There seems to be a pretty significant difference in price. If I don't need the more expensive solution then I'd like to get away cheaper.

A 5 gallon or so compressor should be all you need..

Capable of producing 125 lbs/ sq. in. for short periods...

Most compressors have a scale that shows what they can be reasonably used for...look for it....

Thanks Cantolina!

Thanks for this thread, Jade. I've been wanting to add to my tool collection, too, for basic kinds of maintenance (I don't plan on tearing down the engine or anything like that). I think the only additional things I need are the Allen wrenches, Torx bits, oil filter wrench, impact driver, & torque wrench. One question I have:

For a torque wrench, which would be more useful, 1/4" or 3/8" drive? Or should I have both?

Thanks!

"oil filter wrench"

::: adds to list :::

Debster- the impact driver you have, is that electric or air?

Debster- the impact driver you have, is that electric or air?
I don't have one yet -- it's on my list of things to get. But I'll probably go with air. (Which of course means I need a compressor!)

Wait til my family sees this year's Christmas list! :roflblack

Why air over the electric? Air more powerful, and/or versatile?

On edit: As for the Christmas list, I know me too LOL

Why air over the electric? Air more powerful, and/or versatile?

On edit: As for the Christmas list, I know me too LOL
Only because I can use the compressor for other things, too. Like filling the millions of flat tires I seem to get on lawn tractors, trailers, snowblower, etc. I have a small electric compressor now, and hate it. Wanted a real one anyways, so this is a good excuse!

Ok make sense. I may end up going with electric after all. I'll do some more research & figure it out. Thanks for the replies.

Ladies if you are building a tool collection for the sole purpose of working on your bike you do not need air.
I have this (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00923754000&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators) compressor and a bunch of air tools but
I can honestly say that I've only used air once or twice
to break free tight bolts on the bike. For tightening
stuff on the bike you'll be using the torque wrench.
I only own a 3/8 drive torque wrench and if I need
to torque small stuff I just use a 1/4" adapter.

The reason I invested in air is because I do my own
repairs and maintenance on my Jeep and my plow.

Thanks, Xena.

After a few attempts to do some things myself on my bike I'm pretty sure an impact wrench of some sort will come in handy to loosen things, I'm liking the idea of electric more and more.

Why air over the electric? Air more powerful, and/or versatile?

On edit: As for the Christmas list, I know me too LOL
Air is much more powerful but the only drawback is running out of air. Thats where a decent compressor is the key. Twin cylinder compressors have a much bettter recovery than those cheap single cylinder ones. The size of the tank is important also. A bigger tank = more holding capacity = longer run time. More than likely you wouldn't get in a tear down mode that you would actually use up your air supply but you never know. I bought a nice one from Farm and Family for a little over $200. Its a twin cylinder, belt driven with a 40 gallon tank, lay down style. The direct drive electric ones are loud as hell and will drive you bonkers after awhile. The stand up compressors are sweet, very large capacity tanks, but most of those with a twin cylinder pump are 220 electric so you would have to be wired for 220 or have it done.
I have a 1/2" and a 3/8's drive impact. The 3/8's is great for smaller nuts and bolts. I use the 3/8's alot more than the 1/2" because its alot gentler than the 1/2' but there are times where you need the 1/2" on the bigger stuff. Another thing that is nice is an air ratchet. They work great getting into tight areas the impacts won't allow you too. If you want to go all out you can get yourself a hose reel and set up a little air work station. I've got mine set up so its hooked to a reel and all my air tools are right there in a box so they are readily availiable. That way when I'm done I just roll up the hose and put my tools away. You will want to pick up a few other goodies also, like an air nozzle, a tire chuck, and a few other things. I leave my compressor on 24/7 so if I need to inflate a tire or something she's ready to go. If you go that hose reel route and you want to leave it on all the time make sure you use teflon tape on all your connections so you don't end up with leaks in the system.

Jade, a few tips. Many of the guys on here rave about this (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00947641000&subcat=Automotive+Specialty+Tools) little tool. It works well for loosening small screws.
To loosen bigger stuff like nuts and bolts, I mainly use a breaker bar (http://cgi.ebay.com/A-used-inch-CRAFTSMAN-Breaker-Bar-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ4414116710QQcategoryZ42265QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem). An electric impact wrench isn't going to have enough power to loosen a frozen bolt on your bike so don't waste your money there either. The breaker bar works awesome and its not a terribly expensive tool.
Come to think of it, I use mine almost every time I work on my bike.

;)

Jade:
The little tool Xena is talking about is called an Impact Driver, in your case I think this would be the tool for you. As stated before you will not need an impact tool to tighten things, only loosen. One other thing I would acquire is a can of never-seeze and some loctite red and blue, some fastners will always become tight from corrosion (this happens when you put a steel bolt in an aluminum case) or vibration these should be never-seezed when reassembling. Others will have a habit of coming loose, this is where the loctite comes in handy.
I have been working on bikes, cars and trucks for over forty years and at one time was a Certified GM Master Mech and have found these little tips to be invaluble

Jade, a few tips. Many of the guys on here rave about this (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00947641000&subcat=Automotive+Specialty+Tools) little tool. It works well for loosening small screws.
To loosen bigger stuff like nuts and bolts, I mainly use a breaker bar (http://cgi.ebay.com/A-used-inch-CRAFTSMAN-Breaker-Bar-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ4414116710QQcategoryZ42265QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem). An electric impact wrench isn't going to have enough power to loosen a frozen bolt on your bike so don't waste your money there either. The breaker bar works awesome and its not a terribly expensive tool.
Come to think of it, I use mine almost every time I work on my bike.
Thanks for the info on that impact driver, Xena!

And Jade, I've also got that 1/2" breaker bar Xena's talking about, and she's right -- it's awesome. Wouldn't be without one!

Now I've got one too. :)

if anyone were to ask me..I'd be telling them these women know their chit!!
You GO Girls........hey..I got me a 'breaker bar"..:smoke

Thanks for all the info everyone... I have been making a tool list myself and wondering what some of the must-haves would be...
I do have an air compressor for checking the tires every week, and an oil filter wrench so I can make sure the oil is always in the best condition... but so far that is all I have accomplished... Oh, except I did get the maintenance manual so now I just have to sit down for a while and take a look at some of the "easier" stuff that I should be able to learn to do myself...
I really want to be able to take off into the hills without worrying that I cannot at least figure out the easy stuff (if something goes wrong) and know that I have the basic tools with me...
And I guess if someone stops to help, they would want to use my tools and not theirs... at least that is what someone, somewhere told me...
So thanks from me too on this great thread!
:xlrocks

I forgot to add this good place to buy decent tools cheaper.
I spend a few hundred a year here:
Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/)

I forgot to add this good place to buy decent tools cheaper.
I spend a few hundred a year here:
Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/)
Yeah, I've been getting stuff from there for a few years. Definitely inexpensive. But I've found that if you're looking for tools that will get some hard use, spend the few extra bucks for better quality. Some of their no-name stuff is made of really crappy steel and it just ends up in the trash can!

Yeah, I've been getting stuff from there for a few years. Definitely inexpensive. But I've found that if you're looking for tools that will get some hard use, spend the few extra bucks for better quality. Some of their no-name stuff is made of really crappy steel and it just ends up in the trash can!
No doubt you want a better quality of tool when using it often. Alot of the Chinese junk at Harbor Frieght has improved in quality considerably in the last few years. I had a job last year where I had to cut 672 4x8 holes in some 3/8's cedar soffits on an apartment complex to install vents. I got looking at the price of a Roto-Zip tool and really didn't want to pay $100 for it. So i went over to Harbor Frieght and picked up two Chinese ones for 20 bucks apiece. Between the two of them we cut out every hole and to this day they both still work fine. Plus at 10 bucks a hole I made out pretty good!

I forgot to add this good place to buy decent tools cheaper.
I spend a few hundred a year here:
Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/)

Thanks again, and I ended up snagging the breaker bar at the eBay link you posted earlier. :D