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Tools we want but don't need

bryanchurch06

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When I worked construction I always had a couple tool boxes, 1 was for the tools I used every day the other stayed in the truck and it was full of tools I thought I would use but after awhile just stopped carrying with me, I swear when I bought them I needed them. Now that I am doing 100 percent of the work on my 3 bikes I find myself going down the same rabbit hole. So in the spirit of go ahead and laugh at me here is my latest. I know I don't need it but I want it, BTW my wife says I'm the same way with kitchen gadgets but that's a different forum
 

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dmonkey

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Having the right tool for the job makes a big difference! I use that Motion Pro slack setter and a Grunge Brush often. Have even taken them touring.

Adam Savage (from Mythbusters) has a YouTube channel where he talks a lot about workshop considerations he's made such as when to buy a specialty tool vs use what's on hand, as well as tool organization and having duplicate tools (a hammer in every room). He's made me feel a lot better about having duplicates of some things. If you don't know where something is or it's not accessible, it doesn't do you much good.
 

m in sc

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one of the weirder ones I have, and I have a LOT of specialty tools, is a motorcycle specific rear shock spring tool. however, one i dont have but would like (have borrowed one in the past a lot) is a tubing bender, one that can do up to 1.5" tubing. but its hard to justify.
 

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oldskool

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one of the weirder ones I have, and I have a LOT of specialty tools, is a motorcycle specific rear shock spring tool. however, one i dont have but would like (have borrowed one in the past a lot) is a tubing bender, one that can do up to 1.5" tubing. but its hard to justify.
As many bikes as you have, had and will have I think it is well justified.
 

bryanchurch06

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Don’t get me started. I’m the worlds worst. I was a sears junkie now it’s harbor freight. The icon parrot nose pliers are the tits. Latest acquirement.
Yea I want the icon hex tools set, just always miss the coupon
 

dmonkey

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I used to work at Sears Holdings Corp when "eating your own dog food" was heavily encouraged and my team could get just about anything at cost. The silliest tools I ended up with are probably dog bone wrenches. Awkward 8-in-1 combo wrenches that have been around since at least the 20s, and people have probably been laughing at them since then. I tried using my SAE ones a few times on a jalopy roadtrip to hold one side of same-sized fasteners while turning the other with a proper socket or combination wrench. Ended up falling back to a slip-joint pliers wrench instead, one that wasn't as nice as the Icon Parrot Nose one. There was rarely room for the dog bone wrench to fit, and the swivel made it difficult to keep from slipping off the head of any fastener. One of those combo tools that looks useful when demonstrated in an infomercial, but not in the real world :LOL:
spin_prod_730596512.jpg
 

bryanchurch06

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Nov 4, 2022
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I used to work at Sears Holdings Corp when "eating your own dog food" was heavily encouraged and my team could get just about anything at cost. The silliest tools I ended up with are probably dog bone wrenches. Awkward 8-in-1 combo wrenches that have been around since at least the 20s, and people have probably been laughing at them since then. I tried using my SAE ones a few times on a jalopy roadtrip to hold one side of same-sized fasteners while turning the other with a proper socket or combination wrench. Ended up falling back to a slip-joint pliers wrench instead, one that wasn't as nice as the Icon Parrot Nose one. There was rarely room for the dog bone wrench to fit, and the swivel made it difficult to keep from slipping off the head of any fastener. One of those combo tools that looks useful when demonstrated in an infomercial, but not in the real world :LOL:
View attachment 4733
It's like a multi tool, sure it's got pliers, screwdriver, knife blade and various other tools and in an emergency you can make do but I'd never want to use them if I had a real tool, IMHO any tool that does several different things don't do any of them well.
 

SneakyDingo

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When I worked construction I always had a couple tool boxes, 1 was for the tools I used every day the other stayed in the truck and it was full of tools I thought I would use but after awhile just stopped carrying with me, I swear when I bought them I needed them. Now that I am doing 100 percent of the work on my 3 bikes I find myself going down the same rabbit hole. So in the spirit of go ahead and laugh at me here is my latest. I know I don't need it but I want it, BTW my wife says I'm the same way with kitchen gadgets but that's a different forum

Multiple toolboxes beats one big, heavy toolbox any day! I have a milk crate sitting in my closet with a toolbag, a drill kit, and several silicone trays for regular stuff inside the house, followed by 2 other toolkits outside that house my motorcycle tools and less commonly used tools.

I started a tradition of using my bonus to buy a "trinket" thing that I thought I might like. I've been constantly surprised at how many have since made it into my regular rotation and I would be sad if I had to do things without it (most recently a label printer, and a set of measuring spoons). I think if you use it a lot and like it, it's not a silly purchase.

As for that particular slack setter - I've toyed with 3D printing a copy of that exact one because I thought it would be useful, or even something simple and more specific to the CT125 like this one. When I was running the OEM chain I was having to check it pretty frequently because my riding profile is hard on clutches, chains and brake pads, so having something that makes that job easy seemed like a really good idea. Still does actually. Thanks for reminding me to make a tool :).
 

bryanchurch06

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Multiple toolboxes beats one big, heavy toolbox any day! I have a milk crate sitting in my closet with a toolbag, a drill kit, and several silicone trays for regular stuff inside the house, followed by 2 other toolkits outside that house my motorcycle tools and less commonly used tools.

I started a tradition of using my bonus to buy a "trinket" thing that I thought I might like. I've been constantly surprised at how many have since made it into my regular rotation and I would be sad if I had to do things without it (most recently a label printer, and a set of measuring spoons). I think if you use it a lot and like it, it's not a silly purchase.

As for that particular slack setter - I've toyed with 3D printing a copy of that exact one because I thought it would be useful, or even something simple and more specific to the CT125 like this one. When I was running the OEM chain I was having to check it pretty frequently because my riding profile is hard on clutches, chains and brake pads, so having something that makes that job easy seemed like a really good idea. Still does actually. Thanks for reminding me to make a tool :).
I swear when I ordered it I was thinking of you and your magic wizard of oz printer 😀, you know a couple of them go no go blocks would be good for the trip, just saying. Btw I meant no disrespect by the wizard of oz remark my wife constantly reminds me I'm only funny to myself, every body else thinks I'm an ass
 

SneakyDingo

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I swear when I ordered it I was thinking of you and your magic wizard of oz printer 😀, you know a couple of them go no go blocks would be good for the trip, just saying. Btw I meant no disrespect by the wizard of oz remark my wife constantly reminds me I'm only funny to myself, every body else thinks I'm an ass
None taken! Actually that's a pretty big compliment. You'd fit right in with my coworkers, they regularly say stuff like that about me too and ask me to do things that require stuff like that.

The go-no go blocks is a great idea. I really do just need to sit down, get the tension in spec, and then do measurements.
 

Cubtestdummy

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I keep a number of different tool boxes all of which are hobby / area specific.
It's resulted in a few duplicates and my late wife used to mock me mercilessly about it, she also supported the habit as it resulted in her getting jobs done immediately.
My new partner doesn't fully understand yet but when it comes to her bike maintenance getting done I'm sure she will.
A new Super/Hunter Cub box is currently being assembled with a tappet adjustment spanner next to be acquired.
It's this or recreational pharmaceuticals, I figure the tool addiction is slightly healthier.
 

bryanchurch06

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I purchased this driver set in Dec when it was on-sale, I got it because it had the jis tips, really came in handy installing the meter stay I probably could have left the headlight brackets in place. I think I paid less than 20 dollars and I've seen them for less than 15.
 

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dmonkey

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That looks like a great kit, especially for the price.
I have a few Vessel brand screwdrivers for working on bikes with older JIS screws from before that standard was discontinued. One of my favorites is their "Impacta" driver where you tap the handle with a hammer and it uses a cam to rotate the tip counter-clockwise under pressure. It is extremely useful for breaking screws loose without stripping them.
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Cubtestdummy

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After what I said about my partner not understanding my tool fixation she went and surprised me and I take it all back. This just dropped onto the door mat. Not had a chance to use it in anger but after careful inspection (and a quick Google) it does seem to be a very nicely put together piece of kit. Only thing missing is a 14mm socket IMO and that's easily rectified.
I've got some Wera spanners which I've been very happy with, even bought a couple of duplicates to keep on the Cub as part of the emergency kit.

Vera.jpg


Amazon US
Amazon UK
 

SneakyDingo

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That looks like a great kit, especially for the price.
I have a few Vessel brand screwdrivers for working on bikes with older JIS screws from before that standard was discontinued. One of my favorites is their "Impacta" driver where you tap the handle with a hammer and it uses a cam to rotate the tip counter-clockwise under pressure. It is extremely useful for breaking screws loose without stripping them.
View attachment 4848
I was literally just talking to a coworker about this this morning and wondering how I would find a cross sectional photo. Thanks!! I removed a stuck bolt from his bike using the same concept but a regular screwdriver - positive force in the counterclockwise direction and a hammer plus generous application of penetrating oil. His bike is now bolt free and oily.

EDIT: Attached a pic! Had to use this setup because the regular drivers had too large a tolerance gap and the bolt was rounding off.

20230208_162512505_iOS.jpg
 
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bryanchurch06

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Went to Harbor freight yesterday and I couldn't resist it, the build quality is amazing. I will be removing the bits I don't need and adding other items. Been in that store many times and never saw these until they were posted here, btw I am not suffering from a tool addiction, I am enjoying it a lot.
 

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dmonkey

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Yep, discontinued standards take a long time to die. Sometimes they are joined by several new standards though. :LOL:

JIS B 4633 was close enough to the new standard, ISO 8764, that the JIS drivers work well on the new screws and the Vessel ones are worth keeping. There are likely no true JIS screws left over on our modern Hondas. You no longer need to specifically buy a JIS screwdriver to work on Japanese motorcycles, which is the real point. You can go to your local hardware store, buy a Phillips screwdriver designed for the current standard, and expect it to work with the few screws still found on any modern American, Japanese, German, Italian, British, etc. motorcycle. I'm a big fan of that, gave most of my old Phillips drivers to my brother along with my British Whitworth tools. Headaches I'm happy to no longer have or need!
 
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