As I comb through these threads I'm well aware I'm out of my league, both on knowledge and know how when it comes to working on bikes. One can't spend much time on here without it becoming abundantly clear that working on your bike and doing your own modifications is not only good for the soul, but will save you an @ssload of money.
So take into consideration I have very little mechanical experience, I'm 2 months into having my first Harley and I can't help but to be envious of the guys on here that have skills to work on their bikes. In short I gotta learn to work on mine too.
So my question is this: I need tools, and I'd appreciate your input on what is a good base of required tools to work on my 2013 Harley 48? Assume I have no tools basically at the moment and about $1000 budget max to load the garage with the proper equipment to get ramped up.
Any wisdom will be greatly appreciated!

Oh and yes I am ordering the Service Manual.

 

You should start off by getting a service manual for your bike. That will tell you how to pretty much repair/maintain everything on your bike. As for tools, you do not need $1000 worth, you can probably get by with a decent sized mechanics set from craftsman (or any other tool brand). There might be some special tools you will need for certain jobs on your bike and I think you should be able to get those from the dealer.

 

I got a 227 automotive piece tool set at Lowes. It has everything I need for my bike minus some of the torx bits, but I just bought those seperate. The Kobalt tools they sell are solid and Lowes stands behind them on top of a great warranty on them. Wont break the bank and are great tools. It is like $199.99, but I got it at a black friday sale for $89.00 I would just as quickly spend the 200 on it though.

 

no big investment in tools really get the manual cause thats the first question you'll usually get awnsering your actual question! Im no mechanic either but have found working on my own bike quite rewarding, get a manual then grab the other tools as projects pop up-----some wrenches, allen wrenches torx bits ratchet and sockets-----and oh yeah lots of patients, when ya hit the wall take a break look at it later with fresh eyes helped me alot. Plus most guys will do thier best to guide ya but get the manual cause your gonna here that one a bunch.

 

Get an aluminum lift... Sears or Harbor Freight has them... And I bet they are both made by the same company... I got the one from Harbor Freight and it has given me many many years of good service. If going with HF, get it on special and take with you one of those online HF discount coupons of 20%, that is what I did:



Get a good set of SAE sockets, allen wrenches, and open wrenches, screwdrivers, etc... Just wait for a Sears special and buy one of their Craftsman sets (this is where you do not want to go cheap but you do not have to buy SnapOn either ).

Workshop Manual - a must...
You will not use it much but they do come handy
3/8” small ft-lbs torque wrench
3/8” small in-lbs torque wrench

A set of Torx wrenches (in addition you will need some bigger torx... get those in sockets T-45, T-50 and T-55



Loctite Blue
Loctite Red
Loctite Silver Anti-seize
Clutch cable lubricant - 94968-09 - $5.95
HD Oil Filter Wrench - Many options on this. I listed the HD tool for consistency, but you can find many other brands...

OPTIONAL - Master Service Code Reader - 32312-10 - $149.95 (or if you are thinking of getting a tuner I would recommend Power Vision as it gives you the tuning and ability to read and reset codes. All you can do away with this and use the readme in this forum on how to read the codes directly from the bike.



Belt Tension Gauge:



Low Profile Oil Drain Pan - 63795-10 - $29.95 (anything to catch the oil would do... but this one looks cool and easy to transport the oil for disposal)



Fuel Tank Service Cover – Sure, you can use a towel, but these have magnets that keep them in place... so you minimize the risk of that towel falling on the floor and getting stuff in it that can scratch your paint, or that brake fluid that spilled, or that... you get the idea. Plus they make you look like a pro, lol



Fender Service Cover

Service parts:

Brake pads – Front
Brake pads – Rear
Air Filter Element
Oil Filter
Oil for Engine and Tranny
O-rings and gaskets...

Some magnetic trays to put the bolts you take out so they do not go walking...



A tool box to put everything in... I got this one for like 8.00... a few stickers (that probably cost as much as the frigging toolbox) and it looks nice :



Get a stool... your knees will thank you...



Also get some of those pads kids use to play... again, your knees and butt will thank you...



Get an assortment of black tie wraps... silicone tape (wayyyyy better than regular electrical tape)

Rags, hand cleaner, gloves (if you are into that)...

Also, something handy that I added to my toolbox is one of those LED lights with a strap... wrap it around your head and you have some amazing light to work... hands free... the also come on safety googles... take your pick

I will add to the list as I remember stuff...

 

get a proper bike lift/jack and don't forget. Harleys use Standard size not metric.

A nice torx set and hex set helps and you should be good.

 

I think I have gone just about the same route as wachuko, except that I have a wheel chock and not a lift. He's spot-on when it comes to those squares too for your back and feet.

My two other suggestions:
Have at least one good light
Get a telescopic magnet.

 

I work on cars for a living so i have somewhere in the area of 20,000 in tools. I've used a lot of the hardware store brands and will recommend going to lowes and getting the kobalt tools over the craftzman. From what i understand the kobalt tools are built by snap on but are branded different because of warranty purposes and price point. You can probably get a decent handtool set for around 400-500 bucks which leaves money for a good DVOM if your not familiar with electric stuff then dont bother with a good dvom cause it wont help. Stay away from cheap DVOM's though because they just arent very accurate and can go poof on their on and leave you with a giant headache when trying to diag a electric issue.

 

Excellent info gentlemen, keep em coming!! Most grateful!!

 

don't forget a set of open/box end wrenches in 12 point box for the brakes and other applications, a set of crescent wrenches are also handy, a couple different sizes of pliers sometimes makes life easier