My 2006 Yamaha TW200 Dual Sport Motorcycle, Yagi, has caused me to buy/develop tools.
After riding motorcycles since 2006, and collecting several manufacturer provided tool kits, several hammers for the Urals and accumulating techniques, how-to's, experiences and so many lessons learned the hard way; I've now reached the point of making/acquiring tools for very unique uses.
It feels like a threshold to me, somehow.
To wit:
The 1/4" Torque wrench, which I somehow have survived 13 years of riding and wrenching on motorcycles without, has been purchased mainly to drive the custom hex bit socket below:
1/4" drive 6 mm Socket, holding a 5mm Hex bit, the bit ground down to less than half its original length in order to fit in the narrow area shown below while connected to the new torque wrench:
Two of the three Allen Head bolts securing the exhaust valve cover were not accessible with my trusty 3/8" Drive Torque Wrench. Being a Japanese motorcycle, you actually have to pay attention to published torque values to avoid damaging things. On a Ural? Not so much.
Now, I can safely torque the intake and exhaust valve covers as required for services. I recently did the 10,000 miles service on Yagi, which brought about all this activity.
Note: What if I lose that special socket? I replace all the valve cover bolts with hex cap versions and it's all good. And yes, I lose tools and fasteners all the time. My garage floor, I believe, is actually a portal into other dimensions.
Note: What if I lose that special socket? I replace all the valve cover bolts with hex cap versions and it's all good. And yes, I lose tools and fasteners all the time. My garage floor, I believe, is actually a portal into other dimensions.
The pieces of a crutch? Based on a posting in the TW200 forum, I cut a crutch we had in the basement, cut them as shown, and carry them along with tire/chain repair tools in Yagi's top case portion of the saddlebags.
Why? When you put them together, in my case with the setting at 5' 8", you can ten easily prop it under the right axle nut, supporting the swing arm, raising the rear tire enough so it rotates freely when the gearbox is in neutral.
Why? To easily spray lubricant on the chain at the end of the day's riding when needed! Apparently, lubing it while the chain is warm, is best.
4 comments:
I like the crutch idea, will certainly make chain maintenance easier! Just curious, how were the valves?
The crutch idea certainly beats out those looking for a $$$ Porsche aluminum car jack to raise the rig to fix a flat tire.
What? they don't sell a 5mm hex bit?
Thanks Coop, it sure makes it easy to oil the chain. The valves were at .004 intake and .006 exhaust so at the outside limits but good. Same at 7000 miles. Left them alone.
Thanks CCjon, sure they make them....just not readily available locally. Least expensive one I've found online is $12 with shipping.
First, I hope you and your family are having a pleasant Fourth of July.
Tools. I confess a fascination with them. Have far more than I need and don't know how to use far more than I should. Over the years my experience doing some service on the Vespa has grown but my mechanical prowess pales in comparison to yours.
I have a big torque wrench but there are some situations where a small one would be useful.
Haven't checked the valves on the scooter. The Vespa technician says not to worry about them until they make some noise. It's been 41K miles and so far so good. The engine will probably now explode when I go for a ride today...
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