What to get a youngster looking to get into motorbike mechanics ?

[weeksy]

One of our racing mates is trying to get into mechanics, he's working at a car shop now but fancies a bike, pit-bike/dirt-bike, 2-stroke.

I was going to buy him something to help him along, maybe a book or something on doing 2-strokes... Specific tools he's likely to need for motorbikes that he wouldn't for anything else ?

Ideas appreciated.

[cheb]

JIS screwdrivers is he's doing anything Japanese. IME anyway but I do prefer older bikes.

Thinking of what's in my toolboxen: Chain splitter, tools for dismantling front forks, flywheel extractors, tyre levers and soap if he's keen, spoke key. I'm sure there's more but I can bring it to mind.

An Abba stand or similar would make it much easier when learning too.

[Count Steer]

Slightly off-the-wall suggestion but since all 2T engines work in pretty much the same way this looks like a possible.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Two-Stroke-E ... 625399

Then practice on a few old strimmers/mower engines etc.

[Rockburner]

I'm assuming he already has a decent socket-set?

If he's got a 3/4" inch one - maybe a smaller socket set (3/8") more suitable for working on bikes?

Maybe an Impact driver and sockets?

As said - JIS screwdrivers with decent handles. (if Wera do them, then they have excellent handles)

Maybe a set of T-handle allen/torx tools?

All highly dependant on budget really. But I think a better quality small kit would be more appreciated than a large, but cheap set.

[weeksy]

I'm assuming he already has a decent socket-set?

If he's got a 3/4" inch one - maybe a smaller socket set (3/8") more suitable for working on bikes?

Maybe an Impact driver and sockets?

As said - JIS screwdrivers with decent handles. (if Wera do them, then they have excellent handles)

Maybe a set of T-handle allen/torx tools?

All highly dependant on budget really. But I think a better quality small kit would be more appreciated than a large, but cheap set.

I'm not sure what he's actually got at the moment in terms of sets, i did have a look at the Halfords sets as they're a good go-to, but they don't seem to have the offers they used to have. He's pretty handy on his bicycles and does most of the stuff himself on those, he's a nice lad and would be good to come up with something to help him out a little.

[Rockburner]

I'm assuming he already has a decent socket-set?

If he's got a 3/4" inch one - maybe a smaller socket set (3/8") more suitable for working on bikes?

Maybe an Impact driver and sockets?

As said - JIS screwdrivers with decent handles. (if Wera do them, then they have excellent handles)

Maybe a set of T-handle allen/torx tools?

All highly dependant on budget really. But I think a better quality small kit would be more appreciated than a large, but cheap set.

I'm not sure what he's actually got at the moment in terms of sets, i did have a look at the Halfords sets as they're a good go-to, but they don't seem to have the offers they used to have. He's pretty handy on his bicycles and does most of the stuff himself on those, he's a nice lad and would be good to come up with something to help him out a little.

Ask him what he needs? Ok it spoils any surprise - but it means you can maybe get him a REALLY GOOD one those.

[Wscad]

A telescopic mirror and a telescopic magnet

[Noggin]

I'm assuming he already has a decent socket-set?

If he's got a 3/4" inch one - maybe a smaller socket set (3/8") more suitable for working on bikes?

Maybe an Impact driver and sockets?

As said - JIS screwdrivers with decent handles. (if Wera do them, then they have excellent handles)

Maybe a set of T-handle allen/torx tools?

All highly dependant on budget really. But I think a better quality small kit would be more appreciated than a large, but cheap set.

I'm not sure what he's actually got at the moment in terms of sets, i did have a look at the Halfords sets as they're a good go-to, but they don't seem to have the offers they used to have. He's pretty handy on his bicycles and does most of the stuff himself on those, he's a nice lad and would be good to come up with something to help him out a little.

Ask him what he needs? Ok it spoils any surprise - but it means you can maybe get him a REALLY GOOD one those.

TBF, you could ask him what he has out of interest and turn the conversation to what he needs without him realising what you plan.

I know that for me (ok, different cos I was never going to be a proper mechanic, but I did have to start from scratch as none of my family did this stuff or were into bikes!) I started by getting bike specific bits as couldn't afford the full sets at the time.

Then I got a couple of small sets of things, sockets, allen head thingies. My riding buddy's family gave me all his tools which was totally awesome - TBH, the actual tool boxes were almost better than some of the contents!!

But the one thing I've never had is a tool to take apart and fit a chain - that should have been really high on the list, but I guess it wasn't because I so rarely needed it. But I used to be able to do most stuff on my own, but had to always get someone else to do the chain

Stuff for forks would be good too - I doubt I'll ever actually be able to do those now, but they were on the list after the forks on a bike needed looking at and I had no hope!!


I do think you could have a conversation about tools with him without letting on that you want to get something. Then you'll at least have an idea of his kit even if you can't get round to what he wants

[MingtheMerciless]

Decent set of Torx or Allen keys.

[v8-powered]

Torque wrench!
Start young as many don't seem to feel it's required....

[Skub]

Tools I use the most and would recommend.

3/8' and 1/2" socket sets. Teng,Halfrauds Expert and Draper are decent.

Combination and ratchet spanners. Britool and Halfords. Wera ratchets 1/4" and 3/8".

JIS screwdrivers. Can't remember the make.

Allen key set and allen sockets + ones with handles. Wera.

There's always Snap On,if you are feeling really generous. I've never had any,so I can't say.

[mangocrazy]

I find myself reaching for this 1/4" socket set more than pretty much anything else these days. This is the 'small' 25 piece 1/4" socket set (on offer):

https://www.primetools.co.uk/product/ba ... et-4-13mm/

And this is the 46 piece one I've been eyeing up...

https://www.primetools.co.uk/product/ba ... ocket-set/

[dern]

Tools will sit around until they're needed. What about a book on restoration projects to provide some inspiration?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

What's the budget?

If you want a book on two strokes the one by Graham Bell is good.

[weeksy]

What's the budget?

If you want a book on two strokes the one by Graham Bell is good.

I've not really got as far as thinking of a budget, was just a random idea when chatting yesterday

[weeksy]

Buy him a fucked old bike and let him learn on it, he can buy the tools he needs as he goes along.
He can read books but it's no substitute for actual hands on experience.

I bet you can pick up a project bike for peanuts and then either you, or someone else, can teach him how to fix it.

Not really viable in terms of budget or distance matey. Whilst i've not thought much about budget, it'd have to be more like £150 than £1000. He's also 4+ hours from me to drive to.

[ZRX61]

Vampliers. No mech should be without them.

Vessel is the go-to for JIS screwdrivers & bits etc.

As for books:
The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance by Zimmerman.

[ZRX61]

.. and "Shop Class as Soulcraft" by Matt Crawford to get his head screwed on correctly.

[porter_jamie]

.. and "Shop Class as Soulcraft" by Matt Crawford to get his head screwed on correctly.

Love that book

[porter_jamie]

Wobble headed ratcheting spanners are awesome.
Some nice digital calipers made by mitutoyo.

The advice to never ever let anyone borrow your tools. In the long run he will thank you.