What tools for working at Harleys?

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What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Bigjawa »

Eldest has managed to blow up his GPz550, which is impressive as even I have never managed to blow up a kwak 550. Anyway, for reasons best known to himself, he's went and bought a bloody Harley and as usual, muggins here will have to fix the bloody thing.

Being as it's a Yank, what spanners, sockets, Allen keys and stuff do I need to buy as I assume the usual agri spec hammers and molegrips won't work.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Skub »

'Tis all imperial gear you'll need. Muricans don't do that metric thing.

Get good quality,they may be well used. :lol:
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by KungFooBob »

Mole grips and a big hammer... same as any other bike.

If it's got tubed tyres you'll need flat head screwdrivers too.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Skub »

KungFooBob wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:22 pm Mole grips and a big hammer...
That's just for the tappets,though.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by KungFooBob »

Skub wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:24 pm
KungFooBob wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:22 pm Mole grips and a big hammer...
That's just for the tappets,though.
Do they have adjustable threaded pushrods?

You might need two pairs of molegrips.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Skub »

KungFooBob wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:27 pm
Skub wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:24 pm
KungFooBob wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:22 pm Mole grips and a big hammer...
That's just for the tappets,though.
Do they have adjustable threaded pushrods?

You might need two pairs of molegrips.
Not metric molegrips now,they need to be imperial to work properly.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Horse »

Hammer is already covered, so broom and shovel for bits that fall off?
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by KungFooBob »

You'll need to buy oil in qrts rather than litres, whatever qrts are?
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Skub »

And petrol only works if it's in gallons,Harley tanks don't recognise litres.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by KungFooBob »

Skub wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:38 pm And petrol only works if it's in gallons,Harley tanks don't recognise litres.
...and don't get Imperial gallons confused with US gallons, or you'll need the AA to come drain the tank like when you fill up with diesel instead of petrol.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by ogri »

If it is a newish one, will probably have hydraulic valves, no adjustment req.
Keep a spare drive belt handy, apparently some go often, others last forever.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by MrLongbeard »

Mine is mix of metric and standard with a few torx thrown in too, but then it's fairly new.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Nidge »

Depends on the age. Mine is a 1985 and all bolts are A/F, which is fine for me as I have a pretty comprehensive collection for my T140, but Harley often have some large (and weird sized) fittings- the rear wheel spindle nut is an annoying 1 and 1/8 inch (and the silencer means you’ll have to use a spanner rather than socket) and if you need to take off any of the primary drive components (clutch nut, compensator socket) you’ll be needing some big sockets 1 1/2 inch iirc
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Rockburner »

Nice strong anchor chain?
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by cheb »

Assuming it has fuel, I'd suggest a box of matches.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Nidge »

cheb wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2020 1:09 pm Assuming it has fuel, I'd suggest a box of matches.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by cheb »

What grates with me for Harleys is that every non motorcyclist thinks every motorcyclist wants one. To me they are overly heavy, underpowered and have a really ugly engine. That, and the vast bulk of them have 2 strokes too many.

TBF though some of the above can be similarly applied to any lifestyle product, Apple and VWs come to mind.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Bigjawa »

Well lads, it's a bit of a moot point as it lasted 3 days before the electronics fucked up, currently in the dealership whilst they try to get their paws on the diagnostic stuff. :roll: :roll:
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by MrLongbeard »

Better a diamond with a flaw, than a pebble without.
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Re: What tools for working at Harleys?

Post by Lutin »

Nidge wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:54 am
cheb wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2020 1:09 pm Assuming it has fuel, I'd suggest a box of matches.
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