9 top tools you didn’t realise you needed

Get that last-minute list off to Santa with nine cunning bits of kit that’ll transform your garage life in 2016

Electric impact gun

Impact guns offer a peculiar mix of delicacy and brute force. Delicacy, because the small movements don’t tend to damage fasteners quite as readily as leaning on them with normal tools. But there’s no denying the power they exert – they’re capable of overcoming high torque settings with minimal user effort. Air-driven guns are a bit too brutal, and a compressor is a large, costly investment. An 18v cordless impact gun is strong enough for most bike applications, and will save time and effort.
How much? £70

Threaded rivet tool

Slightly different version of a normal rivet – a compressing force mushrooms the fitting to fix it in a hole but unlike a regular rivet, the threaded rivet is not designed to fix two items alone. The insert has a steel threaded inner which allows you to bolt in to it. It tends to be useful for modified bike builds, or anywhere where you’re fabricating bespoke items – homemade luggage fittings, bodywork mounts and more are much easier to accomplish. Many bikes have threaded rivets as standard – as they age they can need replacing.
How much? £20

 

Automatic centre punch

This cheap, simple tool makes drilling much easier. The small pointed tip is spring-loaded, so compressing it builds up a force that’s applied like an impact gun – a short, sharp shock that creates a punch mark. No need for hammers – gentle pressure with your hand is all that’s needed to get the job done. It’s the ideal way to mark for drilling, giving the drill bit purchase to start without slipping. They can also be used to punch components for security.
How much? £6

Bearing drifts

Using a socket, or the old bearing, to drift new bearings into place on your bike can work out OK. But if it doesn’t, you may ruin the new part you’re fitting – or worse, subtly damage it and not realise until it fails while you are riding along. The right tool is simple and inexpensive, yet not widely used. Do yourself a favour – buy a set of bearing drifts and fit the new bearings safely every time. They aren’t a big investment and will save you from costly errors.
How much? £25

Hinged C-spanner

Slip, crunch, ouch! That’s how shock preload adjustment can go with even a slightly ill-fitting C-spanner. The solution is a hinged version. They’re not especially cheap, but the simple addition of a hinge means the action of pulling the handle in the direction you want to turn the preload collar pulls it tightly around it and securely locates the tooth in the right position. Easier adjustment, more skin left on your knuckles, and you don’t need a toolbox full of different pressed-steel spanners for varying bikes. An important addition to any motorcyclist’s tool armoury.
How much? £30

Vernier calipers

Just because you’re not a professional, full-time engineer, it doesn’t mean you can’t have some precision in your life. Once you have a set of quality measuring calipers – available from just a few quid – you can measure bolts, thread depths, brake disc thickness and countless other need-to-know details while you are maintaining your motorcycle. If you’re looking to expand your mechanical repertoire, you’ll soon find more applications – sizing valve shims, for example, so having a set is never a wasted exercise. Gather up your Christmas money and head down to your nearest tool factor, you’ll not regret it.
How much? £10-£30

Reverse drill bits

No mechanic gets through life without snapping a bolt off – usually flush, making it a challenge to remove. Drilling it out is the only option. It’s a tricky job, but a set of reverse drill bits will increase your chances of success. They drill in an anti-clockwise direction – as well as the usual removal of material, the friction generates heat, and grabs the remains of the fastener in the direction it should unthread – quite often these two factors can spin the fastener out. They’ll sit unused for ages, but just one use will justify your purchase.
How much? £10

Telescopic magnet/LED

Like magnets? Like LEDs? You’ll love telescopic magnets with an LED in the middle. The ability to retrieve small parts dropped into awkward spaces (if they’re attracted to a magnet of course) is boosted by the simple addition of one LED in the middle, allowing you to see into the dark crevice you’ve just dropped your nut in. When you realise how useful the telescopic magnet is you’ll wish you owned a patent on it. This could well be the best fiver you’ve ever spent extending your motorcycling toolkit.
How much? £5

 

Syringe

Not strictly a tool, but it’s cheap and can be utilised in a number of ways around the garage. Syringes are excellent for bleeding brakes – connect them with a piece of pipe to bleed nipples and you can draw fluid through in a controlled manner, ideal if you don’t have a helper. If the system is dry, you can use it to back-fill fluid through the bleed nipple, making quick work of fitting new brake lines. If you want to get into suspension fettling, you’ll need one to set fork oil levels. Overfilled your oil? Tilt the bike over, draw some out.
How much? £5