OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Photomike666 on June 03, 2016, 12:10:06 pm

Title: Essential tools...
Post by: Photomike666 on June 03, 2016, 12:10:06 pm
As I'm embarking (very slowly) on my first VMX restoration, I thought it'd be cool to have a list of those valuable tools needed to coax these old beasts back to their former glory.

I'm thinking along the lines of:-
Bearing puller/press
Flywheel puller
Compression tester

Aside from the usual sockets and such, what are those specialized little gadgets you can't do without?
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: D project on June 03, 2016, 12:44:24 pm
Good adjustable bike stand,I've just got one of the jack up types. Should have got one years ago.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: LWC82PE on June 03, 2016, 01:32:49 pm
I think a compression tester is over rated and not essential. I can think of other areas to spend money. I have one but might use it once a year and only on multi cylinder 4t bikes when looking for a 'weak' cylinder. Basically its either got compression and running fine or it has not got got compression and running poor. Usually you will see it leaking at the head gasket or feel lack of compression with thumb over plug hole and if its rings, it would be smokey or feel weak when you kick it over. Plus if you are doing a resto and want reliabilty at the races you should be taking the top end off and measuring piston/bore/ring gap/checking valves etc any way so you will pick up anything out of spec there anyway so no real need for a compression tester i think. Spend your money on good spanners, sockets, screw drivers, impact driver & bits, multi meter, micrometer, calipers, bearing pullers, drifts etc. Often the best tools are home made one too.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Photomike666 on June 03, 2016, 02:00:00 pm
Not sure compression tester is what I meant, more the home made leak down tester
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: HVA61 on June 03, 2016, 02:17:20 pm
Torque wrench

A good quality vernier

Small set of taps etc for cleaning up threads etc.

Small set of easy outs

Small set of files

a small set of reasonable quality hand tools

A bottle opener for the odd refreshment or two
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: cyclegod on June 03, 2016, 02:18:06 pm
Don't forget the crankcase splitter and a good set of manuals (parts and service manuals) for your particular bike.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: HVA61 on June 03, 2016, 02:20:22 pm
A brass hammer
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: VMX247 on June 03, 2016, 02:34:58 pm
Cable ties and cloths/rags.
Hopefully you never need anything but HVA 61 opener  :)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: John Orchard on June 03, 2016, 02:43:56 pm
Gas-axe.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: ty4 on June 03, 2016, 02:52:51 pm
well stocked beer fridge
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: TT5 Matt on June 03, 2016, 04:19:57 pm
air compressor,blow off gun,tire inflator,spray gun and half inch rattle gun would come in very handy when doing up old bikes
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Paulos on June 03, 2016, 05:04:20 pm
A small mig welder. Gasless is fine. Good for repairs and making your own special tools if needed.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Mick D on June 03, 2016, 05:26:41 pm
Bandaids and panadol, probably wouldn't hurt to have some Valium on stand by too.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: pokey on June 03, 2016, 05:34:11 pm
Beer fridge ;)


A compressor is a pretty useful tool. not a pissy one. something you can use to run a media blaster and a spray gun aswell as air tools.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: FAT-TOY on June 03, 2016, 08:08:44 pm
  A computer can be the most valuable tool in the shed, because you will need to source parts.    Zane
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: oldyzman on June 03, 2016, 09:10:53 pm
OZVMX forum to ask you blokes which way that dooby goes back in..
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: kdx Geoff on June 03, 2016, 09:17:47 pm

Depending on how much restoring you plan to do yourself, I've found being able to replate parts myself to be convenient, satisfying and a good skill to have.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Lozza on June 04, 2016, 12:27:06 am
Cordless rattle gun, JIS screwdrivers and good lighting.  Sandwich bags and a texta to put parts in and write where they go and what bike they belong to
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: TT5 Matt on June 04, 2016, 06:52:59 am
a digital camera to take pics as you disasemble as you wont remember how it all goes back together again after a few weeks as it could take 6 months or more to locate all the new parts needed,power coating,replating
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Bulmaster on June 04, 2016, 07:09:07 am
A book to record all of the new or replacement parts you have purchased along the way. If you want to scare the shit out of yourself you can record the prices as well. Whether you show the wife, spouce or partner your call!!!!
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: 80-85 husky on June 04, 2016, 08:34:00 am
a telephone to call the powder coater, the plater, the wheel man, the engine man and the shocker fixer to find out if your job is finished.....
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Paulos on June 04, 2016, 09:50:44 am
a telephone to call the powder coater, the plater, the wheel man, the engine man and the shocker fixer to find out if your job is finished.....

There's some good reasons to have a crack at diy.....
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Slakewell on June 04, 2016, 11:46:51 am
I just purchased a complete helicoil kit on ebay for $120 , sizes 5mm to 14mm , some good taps and dies to clean threads. No real excuses for dodgy threads when kits are that cheap.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Hoony on June 04, 2016, 12:11:57 pm
OZVMX forum to ask you blokes which way that dooby goes back in..

you should be pulling doobies if your restoring bikes  ;)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: TT5 Matt on June 04, 2016, 12:30:13 pm
I just purchased a complete helicoil kit on ebay for $120 , sizes 5mm to 14mm , some good taps and dies to clean threads. No real excuses for dodgy threads when kits are that cheap.
were the 10,12 and 14mm fine thread or corse thead? can you buy replacement inserts after their all gone and got a link? i like helicoil brand but too rich to buy all the sizes needed though easy to get the inserts at the bearing shop
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Slakewell on June 04, 2016, 02:23:19 pm
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/High-Quality-120Pce-M5-M12-Metric-Helicoil-Type-Thread-Repair-Kit/391465815240?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107090050%26meid%3D7274269a202449dfb360f4f8edb2c688%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D2%26sd%3D391447897004
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: mboddy on June 04, 2016, 03:04:50 pm
My Japanese bikes like Japanese tools. Here are a couple of my favourites.

Fujiwa cable tie cutters:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/361406239361?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/361406239361?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

(http://grapevine.com.au/~gstephan/mboddy/FujiwaCableTieSnips.jpg)


Vessel Impacta JIS screwdrivers:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141918936181?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141918936181?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

(http://grapevine.com.au/~gstephan/mboddy/980-Vessel-Impacta-Screwdriver.gif)

(http://grapevine.com.au/~gstephan/mboddy/JIS-vs-phillips-screws.jpg)


Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: skypig on June 04, 2016, 04:00:50 pm
Thanks for the screwdriver link.
I'm now $85 poorer. (But "tool richer"  ;D)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Dungar Pilot on June 04, 2016, 07:18:16 pm
Thanks for the screwdriver link.
I'm now $85 poorer. (But "tool richer"  ;D)
What he said, I liked the video demo!  :)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: jimson on June 05, 2016, 02:28:39 pm
Patience you need tones of it in the shed. Because when you rush things, it just doesn't turn out good.
You can't buy it lol but just make sure you got some lol jimson
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: pokey on June 05, 2016, 02:35:18 pm
A mini bench top oven. saves using the one inside for baking paint and heating cases.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Iain Cameron on June 05, 2016, 05:07:34 pm
A large bucket and the 4ltr drums of wd40 to soak b4 using force .
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Oldfart on June 05, 2016, 07:13:28 pm
A lathe  and a Ac/ Dc tig welder..... with both of these you are capable of fixing most things in house. 
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Tim754 on June 05, 2016, 07:41:28 pm
A Shed.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Tim754 on June 05, 2016, 07:50:54 pm
Most definitely not required tools       pissed mates >:(                                       then again most of the sober ones too......  ::)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: skypig on June 06, 2016, 12:47:18 am
Two little tools that make life better:
A spring puller for exhaust springs (little hook with handle)
A cable oiler. (Alloy and rubber thingy that clamps onto cables {throttle/brake/clutch} and the nozzel from brake cleaner can will fit in*. Then the nozzle of lube. {"Triflow" is my lube of choice)*Brake cleaner not required on new/clean cables.

I also love my "spoke torque wrench".
I have so many sets of wheels it's good to be able to run around quickly and check every nipple is free (I back them a bit if they don't move when torqueing), and correctly torqued.

I've just discovered putting a plastic bag over a disc with elastic bands (on bikes so equipped) before spraying spokes/nipples with inox reduces life's dramas.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: D project on June 06, 2016, 01:47:01 pm
Clutch holding tool.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: 80-85 husky on June 06, 2016, 06:54:18 pm
I have 1. Husqvarna tool kit supplied spring puller= excellent

cable oiler = excellent

and a original pommy spoke tool which I have used for yonks.

it repaired my kdx 250 rim which presented me with 10 spoke nipples in the bottom of the tyre after a puncture followed by a 5km ride flat to get a tube. ive never seen a wheel self destruct like that before or since...
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: b490 on June 06, 2016, 09:03:45 pm

I also love my "spoke torque wrench".
I have so many sets of wheels it's good to be able to run around quickly and check every nipple is free (I back them a bit if they don't move when torqueing), and correctly torqued.


 I need a spoke torque wrench .
 
 What brand / type do you have & where do I get one ?
 
 Any info much appreciated

 Regards ,
                 Steve
 
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Tony.Brown on June 06, 2016, 09:10:07 pm
Small lathe and mill, paid $800 and it has manufactured all manner of motorcycle parts.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: skypig on June 07, 2016, 03:18:35 pm

I also love my "spoke torque wrench".
I have so many sets of wheels it's good to be able to run around quickly and check every nipple is free (I back them a bit if they don't move when torqueing), and correctly torqued.


 I need a spoke torque wrench .
 
 What brand / type do you have & where do I get one ?
 
 Any info much appreciated

 Regards ,
                 Steve
 

Mine is a Fasst (2 S's)co non adjustable kit with 12 heads
It's set to 48 inch pounds.
I probably paid a fortune for it. Had it for 10 years, no complaints.

http://fasstco.myshopify.com/products/spoke-torque-wrench?variant=4291510595


A cheaper option, currently displaying as "sold out"

http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7TO4N0ST/title/torpedo7-spoke-torque-wrench-set

My OCD would probably cause me to look at an adjustable one if I needed a replacement. Not sure why, or what I'd change it too. :)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Slakewell on June 07, 2016, 05:03:38 pm
Genuine Husky spring puller is the shizbs but dam expensive.

Look for sales at hospitals I have purchased two small stainless steel benches for less than $100
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: shelpi on June 08, 2016, 03:00:02 pm
a can of free time, mine is empty but am getting some fun tickets so lets hope for some more free time
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: 80-85 husky on June 08, 2016, 07:27:06 pm
my spoke wrench is a "bellflower". no idea where it came from.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Tony.Brown on June 08, 2016, 07:29:48 pm
a can of free time, mine is empty but am getting some fun tickets so lets hope for some more free time

Mine too, hopefully not for too much longer.........
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: 80-85 husky on June 08, 2016, 07:49:07 pm
my free time supply is overflowing but is inversely related to my FUN $$ account :-[
The only problem with doing nothing is you don't know when your finished ......
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Tony.Brown on June 08, 2016, 08:09:17 pm
my free time supply is overflowing but is inversely related to my FUN $$ account :-[
The only problem with doing nothing is you don't know when your finished ......

It's a balancing act for sure.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: topari on June 08, 2016, 08:35:08 pm
This video may provide some ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxTiKF0KX_A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxTiKF0KX_A)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: shelpi on June 09, 2016, 10:30:14 am
yep either the time or the money, I'm going for squirreling away some cashola, I cant tell how much longer Ill be currently employed, seems to be a lot of young guys circuling around from the mines
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: James Lee on June 09, 2016, 07:19:48 pm
ultrasonic cleaner,I dont have one but about to purchace.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Lozza on June 10, 2016, 03:38:31 pm
Clear winner here.

ANDROID BORESCOPE (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7mm-1M-Android-Phone-Endoscope-IP67-Inspection-Borescope-Tube-LED-Camera-video-/281896399290?hash=item41a255b1ba:g:pnYAAOSwUdlWgje2)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: TT5 Matt on June 10, 2016, 08:41:10 pm
one of those bore scopes would be good but can i hook it up to a lcd screen thats got a vidio rca feed jack as ive only got a dumb talk n txt phone?
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Lozza on June 10, 2016, 10:23:10 pm
no idea I have a inspection camera  you can make me an offer on  ;D
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: TT5 Matt on June 11, 2016, 02:06:40 am
thats ok Lozza ill work it out after all only 4 wires on a usb plug,outer 2 are 5v the inner 2 are output off the camera ;)worst case ill let the magic smoke out  :'(;D and blow 9 hard earned dollars ;D
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: James Lee on June 11, 2016, 07:40:56 am
I just bought one of those,the stuff thats available now is unreal.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Hoony on June 11, 2016, 08:29:15 am
thats ok Lozza ill work it out after all only 4 wires on a usb plug,outer 2 are 5v the inner 2 are output off the camera ;)worst case ill let the magic smoke out  :'(;D and blow 9 hard earned dollars ;D

get down to your local Jaycar and ask the resident geekazoid  ;)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: shelpi on June 11, 2016, 11:34:52 am
pressure test unit for 2 bangers and negative pressure test
leak down pressure tester for 2 and 4 bangers all tell a lot with out pulling the donk down
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: maicomc490t on June 23, 2016, 10:47:34 am
Self sealing bags (Sandwich / Ziplok style) and a texta pen - I know its already been said but they are GOLD

Also score some 20 litre drums and cut them in half.

Get or make a bench and fit it with a good quality second hand vyce. Second hand will get you a Dawn or Record not some Chinese crap.

Angle aluminium soft jaws for the vyce and use them on just about everything you are gripping !

Dial indicator and magnetic base S/H Mercer, Mitutoyo Starrett. Handy for wheel truing, crank and gear shaft end float

Where possible buy good second hand tools with a decent brand name - Stahlwille, Snap-on, Bluepoint even good old Sidcrome and Kincrome etc rather than flea market shitters etc, most of my kit is based on good second hand purchases and I rarely buy new except for special tools and then go for quality eg Sykes-Pickavant bearing pullers (never had one break)

Oh yeah, and a 35 tonne press  8)
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: skypig on July 20, 2016, 05:50:28 pm
Decent torque wrench. (I don't think my little W&B "beam" should lose calibration in a hurry.)

Its fiddly to use compaired to a ratchet style.
So I bought a small ratchet one.


I've found the Kingchrome ratchet torque wrenches good, for wasting time/effort/money and damaging threads if you are gullible enough to trust them. The first one stopped working at all (no clicking), the replacement was apparently inaccurate (despite certificate of calibration) it has stopped working at all now as well.

Avoid Kingchrome like the plague would be my advice.
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: Lozza on July 20, 2016, 09:04:13 pm
Decent torque wrench. (I don't think my little W&B "beam" should lose calibration in a hurry.)

Its fiddly to use compaired to a ratchet style.
So I bought a small ratchet one.


I've found the Kingchrome ratchet torque wrenches good, for wasting time/effort/money and damaging threads if you are gullible enough to trust them. The first one stopped working at all (no clicking), the replacement was apparently inaccurate (despite certificate of calibration) it has stopped working at all now as well.

Avoid Kingchrome like the plague would be my advice.

Found micrometer style torque wrenches a great way to snap bolts and studs especially on 6mm. Deflecting beam work very well and  I don't think you can wear the 'torque' out of them  :)

HRC use these babies I guess the Snap on digital would be good as well.

 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mitutoyo-983-201-Datatorq-Electronic-Torque-Wrench-TLE2109-/161124566967?hash=item2583c5c7b7:g:MaoAAOxy2HFSVaxg

check that shipping cost  :o
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SNAP-ON-3-8-ELECTRONIC-TORQUE-WRENCH-TECHWRENCH-TECH2FR100-NICE-/381705413071?hash=item58df6a61cf:g:hE0AAOSwpzdWsusB
Title: Re: Essential tools...
Post by: skypig on July 20, 2016, 09:40:54 pm
Mitutoyo - nice! (Someone is going to hell after stealing my Mitutoyo verniers.)

Calibration is the issue. As you say, not much of an issue with deflecting beam.