Hula and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Setting Up Your Shop

How far you want to get into servicing your own ride (or your friends, should you get good at this) will dictate your tool inventory and garage supplies. A good work area clean of floor clutter is a plus. Good lighting, shelves for storage, fire prevention equipment, a sturdy bench with a 6" vise and copper jaws. A lift is optional, most work doesn't require it unless it's more than a one-day job, or you're over 40.

If you're a fix-it guy, there's basic power tools you'll need. Air is always a plus. A good 5HP or larger compressor, with a 30 or more gallon tank. The vertical units take up a smaller footprint and the water drain works better. A solvent tank with running solvent is a must. They're a cheap addition for what they do. If you can't clean your parts off and blow dry them with air, you can't diagnose their condition. Canned spray solvents get old and expensive after awhile.

Clean rags. Not old torn-up clothes or sheets.... buy clean shop rags from either a rag dealer or your local auto-parts store. Buy a lot of them, you'll understand why when you run out just before re-assembly. I clean my rags by soaking them in gasoline for two days, then putting a large pot of Tide and water on an outside stove, then boiling the water and dropping the rags in. Watch out... too much gas left in the rags causes the pot to foam up, boil over and make a hell of mess. I pour the rags into a milk carton after an hour boil then rinse. They come out whiter than a Texas redneck.

As far as tools go... buy them as you need them. Most tools you can get at Sears or any other place that carries a lifetime guarantee. Some specialty tools you'll need to make or buy from someone who sells them like http://www.jimsusa.com/ . Some tool companies make better tools for your application, like Snap-On. Almost all my tools are Snap-On from when I was a line-tech. The Snap-On guy lives a 1/4 mile from me, which makes it easy to still do business with him.

I have a 55 gallon drum I pour all excess solvents and crap into. When it's full I haul it down to the county solid waste company and they empty it. Good policy.

Oh yeah, lending tools. I have a box of tools I bought at the pawn shop for lending out. If it ain't in the box.... sorry, you'll have to buy your own. House rules. :)

You'll learn as you go what works best for you. When you find yourself cussin' or not havin' fun... it's time to put away your tools, turn off the lights and come back later.

 Links:

More Tools Basics: Walter Kern, moderator of the About.com Motorcycles Forum has an excellent page on gear you will need, including tools. Go to: http://motorcycles.about.com/library/weekly/aa122401a.htm