I compression test every bike I buy and every bike I troubleshoot. We tested everything that came into the shop out of self-defense. It pays off because ya can't fix a worn top end by tuning. Custom tool tip: Tack weld or hose clamp two spark plugs together at the shells and you have a spark tester free to dangle in space when kick starting. SIX POINT sockets are wise. Incandescent (NOT LED because incandescent bulbs are a much greater load) test lights are golden for testing and static ignition timing. Cheap is fine, I scatter them around the shop. I use Bulldog jacks for lifting and use separate rolling carts for workspace which is easier than the footprint of a lift. Another trick that works so well I will later build a gantry for it is suspending the complete motorcycle in mid-air from soft slings. My FXR hangs in space inside my 40' High Cube shipping container bike garage using steel shelves I fabbed to hang from the ceiling and it works a treat with full access to everything. Unlike a bike sitting on (anything) a hung bike cannot tip. There are no rules except safety so get creative! Crotch rocket guys have done similar for years for easy wheel swaps.
This is great advice thank you for sharing! For the spark plug thing, are you saying host clamp them at the part the socket goes on or at the porcelain?
Torx heads also known by Engineer Johnny as “I’m going to fuck your day”. Cool video for newbies. Check estate sales if you’re into great deals on both quality hand and power tools. I have a bad-ass lathe and drill press from the 40’s that I got on the cheap and the quality is better than anything you can buy today. If any of your subscribers have old British bikes make sure to buy quality Whitworth wrenches. Standard and metric won’t work.
Ah yes the old whitworth set. I have one buddy with a 60’s triumph who had to pick up a set. I don’t think I could afford to own all the different sets haha, have to pick one and buy only bikes that fit it
really helpful videos. Wanted to let you know amazon now has extended screws for the float bowl on a s&s super e for only $26 dollars now instead of around $40. Look forward to the next video and to your success in 2024. keep the shiny side up brother.
Lol my problem is keeping my boys out of my tools! I think a video on tools you should have with you on the road would be awesome.. I keep a fingernail file and used spark plugs in my tool bag.. spark plug being a must have since one time 3 months into my green horn ship many years ago the oil plug vibrated out of the bottom of my buddie's bike.. it was a good thing I knew enough about motors or probably would have wrecked it cuz when the sound of the motor changed I pulled over as did my buddy who was driving my Cutlass behind me.. I was wondering why I suddenly felt uncomfortable on the bike until I seen the chrome spoke rim completely black from oil! Even the track it left as far as the eye could see! Can we say dangerous! Boy did I dodge a bullet that day and am thankful still to have that knowledge that saved both the bike and myself.. my buddy kept trying to get me to pull over ehen he seen what was happening but pipes were to loud to hear the horn and the mirrors were the type you adjust and tighten whichbwere adjusted for him.. so couldnt see him flashing my car lights.. This on a sunday night with everything closed or close to it, going back to Illinois from Wisconsin.. My husband changed his spark plugs before we left and my buddy told him to put them in his tool bag just in case. Needkess to say yhe plugs weren't used as they normally would and well for all you old ironhead owners out there, those plugs can be used as an emergency oil plug! We screwed that plug in the bottom of his bike, added a little or alot of oil, 1 & 1/2 quarts.. we got home with bike unscathed.. I felt like that bike should be mine after what we went through and asked him if he wanted to sell it.. he said no.. told him if he changed his mind left me know.. That was like 30 years ago and I've been owner for the last 23!
That’s a wild story! Never would have thought about using a spark plug as an oil plug that’s awesome. Glad you got out of the situation without any harm 🙏🏼
I did do this video last season on the road tools, would be curious if there’s any you’d add How To Build A Custom Tool Kit For YOUR Chopper ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lDb2T80XDqE.html
@@greasesgarage for sure a spark plug or two In case I ever need another emergency oil plug ever again and a fingernail file for points if need be and that saved me a couple of times as well..
Just found your channel few night ago. Enjoying the content so far. Im retired industrial maintenance. Snap on are nice wasn't something i bought. I have several Craftsman boxes full of the same tools. Obviously before made overseas. I try to stay away from harbor freight. Kind of lost me with Snap on and the harbor freight and no name combination. I do agree borrow once, then purchase . Im old, been building bikes for some time. You have my interest. Ill give my options good or bad. Thanks for posting the videos.
I hate to say this, but the ICON Brand from harbor freight is hard to beat for the money. 99% of my tools are snap on. That said, a lot of guys I work with use the ICON brand and I have to say they are impressive. Thanks for the video. Enjoyed it.
Hey Grease, what's happening? I just got a 2002 soft tail standard, it has been lowered and customized quite a bit. Up to 95 cubes, they went from fuel injection to a carb. It runs really good. Probably more than I'll ever need. But enough of all that. It's been over 25 years since I was riding last. You know life got in the way. Divorce and all that fun stuff that happens. Anyhow I really like your page. I'm planning on building two choppers a shovel for shows and a Evo for riding. The Softail is really nice but it's more for show than riding. It kinda sucks every time I go riding I spend about the same amount of time shining the damn thing up after having a ride. But I'm not really sure about everything I'm going to need for what I want on my choppers. I want them both to turn signals and front fenders I'm not concerned about the Evo rider one but I'm having some problems getting different ideas for the shovel. I'm wanting a springer front on it and having trouble finding different ideas on that issue.. But I really like your page 👍👍👍
That sounds like a great plan! My recommendation is to find photos of bikes you like on instagram (I’m on there by this same name) and if you send me a photo of what you’re trying to create, I could likely steer you toward the parts you’d need to create that look. Hope this helps!
First few pages in the HD manual give me a pretty good idea of what "chopper tools" I'll need. As long as the sockets and wrenches are chrome and fit in weird spots, who cares the make.
I agree to a point. But strip out a couple of those fasteners with some cheap tools and the price of a quality set will be something you’re happy to pay. Or so I found
Grease, thank you so much, for such great content!! The struggle nearly buried me, so your tips really help! Now a piggyback video idea... I have been work8ng towards a dedicated tool roll set to live full time on my '49 Panhead and provide peace of mind that necessary tools will be available to myself, or whomever I can locate with the proper know how to overcome any roadside issues that might pop up. Help with the must have tool list would be much appreciated thanks again, wonderful channel!! Much respect and thanks, Matthew "ArtBiker" Linton omrade, Sovereign Souls MC, Texas
Thank you for the kind words man 🙏🏼 really glad to hear the channel is helping people. What a great idea about the permanent tool kit for the pan. Give this video a watch, it won’t be pan specific but it’ll guide you in the thought processes you need to consider to build one for the pan. How To Build A Custom Tool Kit For YOUR Chopper ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lDb2T80XDqE.html
Thanks very helpful. I also have a HF 1/2 torque but I also have a digital one and you can use them together to verify the reading. I usually just use the digital. If you have to replace the transmission main seal you need a special tool to pull/install the race. I finally broke down and ordered a hand vacumn to test the VOES. May be able to use it to change fork and brake fluids. Timing light. Bolt extractor set to remove bolts with rounded heads. Flexible socket shaft. Different size needle nose to remove circlips. Spark plug tester. 12 volt tester. One thing that's very nice to have is the original parts catalog for your bike. It gives part numbers which helps finding the best deal on the right part. I also write torque values in it by the part I'm working on. I'm also starting to write test procedures for things like testing electrical components like the VOES, coil etc More things to add to your Christmas list
buy a bike with a starter..i hate kicking my junk..it was cool for 100 miles. so was a jockey shifter lol not for me..its to bad they ground the starter mount off the transmission so i cant go backwards..
