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Just got a bike and want to learn to do as much of the maintenance as possible on my own. I don't currently own much in the way of tools. I was thinking of going down to Sears and picking up one of their combo packages. I'd really like to build something complete over time. I own a Yamaha V-Star 1100 if that is important. Any suggestions on what I should get?

Screw driver always comes in handy.


And a hammer, don't forget a hammer.

A typical $200 craftsman setup should have most of what you need.

Some definite things to add to that -

Feeler gauges
3/8" drive beam or click-type Torque wrench
An Electronic Multimeter (Digital is better)

Usually the craftsman packages have crappy screwdrivers (like the kind w/ an aluminum shaft and magnetic tips) so you might want to get a complete screwdriver set too.

Other things that may not be in the set (or be necessary) but will make your life easier -
Breaker Bars (3/8 & 1/2 drive)
U joints
Ratcheting wrenches
(3/8 & 1/4) T-Handle
3/8" Impact Driver

Everything else you'll figure out as you go along. You'll probably need a torx set for a newer bike and a few sockets athat are bigger than the ones in your set (like maybe a 21mm or something like that)

I strongly suggest click type, it may not be as reliable, but beam types is almost usless for me, when I was fixing my Mitsubishi Eclipse engine I couldnt even see the dial due to space restrections and the angle at which I was looking at it.
Almost forgot to add, never overtighten aluminum parts VERY easy to crack them dont ask.

All you need is wd40 and duct tape. If it moves and it shouldnt, use the duct tape. If it doesnt move and it should, use the wd40.

In all seriousness if you are going to do alot of electrical work, get a multimeter and a wire tester (they look like a pen and when you touch a wire, it'll light up if its hot); they're cheap.

Other than that get a good socket/wrench set, with both regular and deep sockets if you can. Get a screwdriver set with an extension, and a screwdriver 'wrench' (works like a socket wrench but standard screw bit goes into it).

Digital Tyre Pressure guage - cheap, yet priceless!!

TechBMW wrote:A typical $200 craftsman setup should have most of what you need.

Some definite things to add to that -

Feeler gauges
3/8" drive beam or click-type Torque wrench
An Electronic Multimeter (Digital is better)

Usually the craftsman packages have crappy screwdrivers (like the kind w/ an aluminum shaft and magnetic tips) so you might want to get a complete screwdriver set too.

Other things that may not be in the set (or be necessary) but will make your life easier -
Breaker Bars (3/8 & 1/2 drive)

This is most of the tools I use for wrenching on my bike. I've added a few things here and there but the vast majority of the tools were included in the Craftsman kit.

You've got a Yamaha, so be sure to get everything in Metric (don't forget the Allen wrenches!). Be sure to get a set of larger sockets (my axle bolts are 27mm, not included with most socket sets). Also pick up a bike lift and a battery tender.

The very first tool you should buy is located at your Yamaha dealer. If you are serious about doing any real work on your bike you should bite the bullet and buy the factory shop manual for your particular bike. Guaranteed, this will be the best tool investment you can possibly make.

Just by perusing through the manual in your armchair you will gain more knowledge of what size sockets you will require, where things are located, maintenance schedules, fastener torque values, not to mention the proper sequence to take during a disassembly or reassembly.

I think I paid around $70.00CDN for my wife's 650 V-Star manual and it paid for itself in short order. BTW, I have the factory shop manuals for every bike I own.

A good starting point can be as simple as taking the stock tool kit and replacing everything in it with good quality tools. Then as paul246 said, grab that shop manual. Open it up and look for any of the specialty tools that may become necessary.