Tools & Supplies
About Tools & Supplies
Specialty tools let a home mechanic do jobs that ordinary wrenches cannot, such as holding a clutch basket still, loosening a fork cap or spooning a tire off the rim. Riders buy them for a single repair, to avoid rounding off a fastener or damaging a part with the wrong tool, or to build up a garage kit.
Most of these tools are specific to a make, an engine or a fastener size, so check the listing before you buy. The samples here include clutch basket holding tools for Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki engines, a 50 mm fork cap wrench, a clutch alignment tool, T-handle tools, T6 combo lever sets, a tire iron, a cooling system tester and a thread chaser tap set. A cooling system tester has to suit your radiator cap, and a fork cap wrench has to match the cap size. Supplies are here as well, such as absorbent oil pads to catch drips.
Brands in this category include Excel, Jims, EPI, EBC and Lang Tools. Tools tend to go with the job, so see Engines & Engine Parts, Brakes & Brake Parts and Engine Cooling, or go up to Motorcycle for every part group.
FAQs on motorcycle tools
Which special tools does a clutch job need?
Many clutch jobs need a holding tool that keeps the basket or hub from turning while you loosen the center nut, and some need an alignment tool when you fit the new plate stack. The service manual for your model lists the exact tools, so check it before taking the clutch apart.
What is the difference between a thread chaser and a tap?
A thread chaser cleans and restores existing threads without cutting new metal, so it suits threads that are dirty or slightly damaged. A tap cuts new threads into a bare hole. For a dirty or lightly damaged bolt hole in an engine case, a chaser is usually the gentler choice.
How do I pick the right fork cap wrench?
Match the wrench to the cap on your fork, which is sized in millimeters, such as 50 mm. Check the size in your service manual or measure across the cap, and confirm the listing suits that cap style. A wrench that fits loosely can round off the cap.
How do I change a motorcycle tire with tire irons without damaging the rim?
Use rim protectors, lubricate the bead, and work around the rim in small bites instead of forcing one big move. Tires are safety parts, so follow the tire maker's instructions for rotation direction and pressure, and have the wheel balanced before you ride.
How do I use a cooling system tester?
Fit the adapter that matches your radiator cap, pump to the pressure marked on the cap or given in the manual, and watch whether the gauge holds. A needle that keeps falling points to a leak. Only test a cold engine, because opening a hot cooling system can scald.
