Tool Sets for Riders

by Jeff Dean

Of course, the first and most important tool for a motorcyclist always to have on hand is a Leatherman. Created by engineer Tim Leatherman in 1983, the original Leatherman Pocket Survival Tool (PST) has bred many younger siblings. A motorcyclist carrying a Leatherman in its leather pouch on his or her belt is a rider prepared for almost anything. My favorite is the Leatherman Wave, perhaps the most sophisticated Leatherman produced to date.
                 

Where to get a Leatherman? Well the best prices I have found are at Fleet-Farm stores in Wisconsin. But if you don't live there, you can get prices that are nearly as good at any Wal-Mart. After you are provisioned with your Leatherman, check out some of the following tools and tool sets!

Below left:   The Facom Metric ¼" Drive Compact Set. According to Griot's, “Everything you need is in this [$125] set. Includes Facom's finest ¼" drive ratchet, ¼" drive screwdriver, 4½" sliding T drive for compact spaces, universal joint, 2 extensions (1-2", 1-6"), 10 sockets (5-14mm), four hex bits, 3 slotted screwdriver bits and 2 Phillips® bits. 26 pieces in the set neatly packaged in a 4½" x 7½" plastic box.” There was some room left in the box, so I added some Snap-On ¼"-drive metric hex drivers. Facom tools are also available through the Ultimate Garage.

Above right:   The Super Deluxe Mini-Ratchet Tool Set, made by the Wadsworth Falls Mfg. Co., 72 Main St., Rockfall, CT 06481 (tel. 860-346-3644), has a lifetime warranty. Ordering directly from the manufacturer (which has no web site and no toll-free number) gets you the best price. According to Griot's catalog, which used to carry it, “Place any one of the 42 enclosed bits into the toothed holder and use it as a ratchet, ratchet with extension, screwdriver, ratcheting screwdriver, etc., etc.. 42 bits include: 9 sloted screwdriver bits, 5 Phillips® bits, 12 "inch" hex bits, 6 Torx bits, 8 metric hex bits, one "Frearson" (Phillips-like), plus a ¼" drive adapter so you can use all of your ¼" drive sockets! The clever thumb wheel allows you to apply in-line pressure on the fasteners. Stainless steel ratchet capable of 400 ft. lbs. of torque and 12 degree clicks, yet only 3/8" wide at the head! Comes in a 4¾" x 2-7/8" plastic case.” This is still a good description.

Above: Wiha Tools, Germany, offers high quality ¼" and 3/8" drive metric and SAE hex drivers at prices substantially below those of Snap-On (below). The photo above shows ¼" drive hex drivers in sizes from 1.5mm through 6mm — for a combined price of $27.86. Four 3/8" drive hex drivers from 5mm to 10mm have a combined price of $23.92. SAE hex drivers are also available. I have not seen prices that rival these anywhere.

Wiha offers an incredible variety of fine tools of interest to BMW riders. Buyers of the R1200GS, R1200RT, and later production models of earlier BMWs will find them outfitted with Torx fasteners requiring both Torx and external Torx tools. All these can be found at Wiha. For example, Wiha offers the Heyco ("TORX Socket Set In Steel Box") ¼" Torx outfit, both internal and external, seen above. Wiha also offers power Torx and manual Torx bits and sockets.

Above: Snap-On offers a great set of eight ball hex drivers in ¼" and 3/8" drive, covering from 3mm through 10mm. The set (part number 208EFTABMY) costs $137.20 (for some reason unbeknownst to me the price on this set fluctuates wildly and frequently, so check for the latest price). It is rare to find a source for any ¼" metric hex drivers, much less with ball ends. However, Snap-On offers a variety of metric hex drivers for ¼" ratchets (click on the small image below for info):

Samstag Sales, in Tennessee, sells a wide variety of tools made in Germany, including Stahlwille hex bits and wrenches. Prices for these tools appear to be more favorable than Snap-On's prices. Photo below, left: Samstag offers the Stahlwille 5-piece, ¼"-drive stubby Metric Hex Set (3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm) for $37.50 (part number SF44K/5). It offers a standard length Stahlwille 9-piece, ¼"-drive Metric Hex Set (5mm to 13mm) for $46.00 (part number SF40/9).

Photo above, right: One of my favorite tools is the DeWalt Heavy-Duty 7.2V Cordless Two-Position Screwdriver DW920. Put a 1/4" drive adapter and 3mm hex (or T15 Torx) on it and it makes short work of removing and replacing BMW motorcycle tupperware. And it has enough power to handle many other jobs on BMW motorcycles. Sears now offers its less expensive Craftsman 7.2 volt High Performance Screwdriver, giving DeWalt competition for a 7.2 volt screwdriver for the first time.

Go to the Wen 199K soldering gun page

Finally, I need to put in a pitch for the finest soldering gun I have ever used (photo above). It is the 100-watt Wen Model 199K, and it has not been manufactured for decades. My first one lasted over 40 years, and the ones I use today date to 1961. They out perform all the new soldering guns I have tried on the market.