Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Skier wrote:

Grey Thumper wrote:I'm not really mechanically inclined, but my bike uses weird bolts (Security Torx), so in the odd case when a mechanic or good samaritan doesn't have the right tool, at least the bike's got them.

Ugh. I'd take every one of those out and replace them with single size hex fasteners or Phillips head fasteners.

All BMW motorcycles seem to use Torx fasteners. Replacing them with "standard" fasteners is gonna be a problem when you take the bike in for service. Just one reason that BMW provides basic tools in the tool kit.

Considering you can buy Torx tools at Sears, etc. it isn't a big deal to just have the right tools. I've added a few items to my on board kit: Bright zip ties for quick fixes (the color will help me remember to do a more permanent fix asap), a ratcheting driver with a handlefull of assorted Torx bits, stretch tape, wire cutters (useful for cutting zip ties), a multi-tool.

P

WOW!! I knew I was at the right spot for help. Thanks to everyone for the excellent suggestions. The "Biker's Code" lives on! I was going to take dr_bar's advice and get a trailer for my stand up tool chest, but I couldn't figure out a power source for my shop lights!

Lion_Lady wrote:

Skier wrote:

Grey Thumper wrote:I'm not really mechanically inclined, but my bike uses weird bolts (Security Torx), so in the odd case when a mechanic or good samaritan doesn't have the right tool, at least the bike's got them.

Ugh. I'd take every one of those out and replace them with single size hex fasteners or Phillips head fasteners.

All BMW motorcycles seem to use Torx fasteners. Replacing them with "standard" fasteners is gonna be a problem when you take the bike in for service. Just one reason that BMW provides basic tools in the tool kit.

Considering you can buy Torx tools at Sears, etc. it isn't a big deal to just have the right tools. I've added a few items to my on board kit: Bright zip ties for quick fixes (the color will help me remember to do a more permanent fix asap), a ratcheting driver with a handlefull of assorted Torx bits, stretch tape, wire cutters (useful for cutting zip ties), a multi-tool.

P

If a shop doesn't have hex bits, there is a bigger problem than what kind of fasteners are on the bike.

Also... "take a bike in for service"? Is that what rich folks do? I suppose if I did very little wrenching on the bike I'd be fine with Torx and security Torx bits, but if I'm the one servicing the bike I'd love for it to use the same tools every other bike in my fleet use.

Hey, I'm no expert with a wrench and as you can tell no expert with a bike...yet. But I will try to do what I can myself. I figure it helps keep the costs down (for other fun stuff), and I know when I've gone far enough I may need an expert!

Skier wrote: Also... "take a bike in for service"? Is that what rich folks do? I suppose if I did very little wrenching on the bike I'd be fine with Torx and security Torx bits, but if I'm the one servicing the bike I'd love for it to use the same tools every other bike in my fleet uses.

There's your problem. Only BMW MCs in our family fleet at this time. I see no real issue with needing to have an assortment of Torx tools in the tool chest. No different, IMHO, than having both metric and standard tools, huh? My garage, my choice. Switching out all 100 dozen fasteners seems like quite an undertaking time wise, for the sake of not having to buy a few tools...

P

One thing that no one has mentioned is a electric meter.

This isn't exactly a "tool" either, but it's handy to bring a tire pressure gauge. And if you're gonna bring one of those, you might consider going the whole hog and bringing some sorta tire repair kit; Slime, patch, plugs, extra tube, tire levers, depends on your tires/rims and your personal preference, really.

whats the issue with torx bits?

They arent expensive...dont strip easily (unless you use the wrong size) and work wonderfully under an extractor bit if they do.

Harleys use them a lot too...MMM Harleys and Beemers....its a snob bike thing I guess.

koji52 wrote:I just bought myself a set of these off of eBay. By what I've heard, they are a really good set for emergencies and fit in most fork bags. I've heard that they are of decent quality to do your garage work as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0251789257

As long as they're good quality tools...

dr_bar wrote:

koji52 wrote:I just bought myself a set of these off of eBay. By what I've heard, they are a really good set for emergencies and fit in most fork bags. I've heard that they are of decent quality to do your garage work as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0251789257

As long as they're good quality tools...

On the sportster forum i frequent people there say the quality is surprising for an emergency kit. Some people even add them to their standing tool chests. I plan on throwing them in the bag on the bike and leaving them there. I'll comment further when I recieve them.