Dodgy Tools and Handy Tips

Thought I'd put up this to possibly help other noobies like me who like tinkering with their bikes. Most of these ideas I've pinched off other people. A lot of you old timers will probably already know of these things but figured it might help someone
BTW all of these are relevant to my '93 ZXR750L and may or may not be applicable to your bike. (and I take no responsability if you fuck something up whilst using them)

First up - a piece of 3/8 rubber oil line makes it easy to retrieve/start sparkplugs

Fork seal driver made from a piece of plumbing pipe, split lengthwise and help togethor with a hose clamp

This jigger I use to hold up the fork piston rod whilst putting the forks back togethor. The silver bit is an old brake fitting adapter that is hollow, allowing the dampner adjuster rod to fit inside it when it is screwed to the top of the piston rod. I've got a slotted piece of plywood that clamps onto the bench which the top bolt slips into thus needing one less hand to hold up the piston rod.

Whoops, don't know how that got here. Thats actually a torque wrench adjuster used when I work on the Harleys

Used for setting the air gap for forkoil level. The syringe was purchased from a veten,vetanar, a vetin.... from a doctor that works on animals

This is my favorite. No it's not a high tech illegal drug impliment . It's a power bleeder. Slip the tube onto the clutch/brake nipple turn on vacuum, loosen nipple, pump lever a few times, and retighten nipple. Great for getting those last pain in the arse air bubbles out.

My $3.00 rear paddock stand lugs. Two 65mm high tensile bolts with some brass bushes slipped on. Shit I'm a tight prick

When working on fork legs I use a double sided ladder with a steel bar running between the steps. Thread the bar through the axle hole in the forks and this holds the leg steady when you are woking on them upside down.

Put a 50mm block of wood under the back tyre, and lean the bike on it's side stand when pulling off the clutch cover and you don't loose any oil (did I mentioned how tight I was? )

Anyone else care to add some helpful hints or show some other dodgy homemade tools?
Regards Simon

I see the smoter.......bigcarnt coz it gets used on a HighlyDangerous

but ..but where is the fencing wire...?

surely if u have a harley u have a bigger hammer than that??

They are bloody excellent !!! I love the 'power bleeder', looks very much like my old bong matey !!! I am gonna give that a try for sure.
There are some home-made tools in the 4th Dimension, will take some shots of them over the weekend and post up......

but ..but where is the fencing wire...?

Yeah I should have included fencing wire AND zip ties. Someone on here got it spot on when they said "ahhh zip ties. Is there anything they can't do?"

surely if u have a harley u have a bigger hammer than that??

Like I said Neka, it's a torque wrench adjuster. Only used for delicate stuff.

Regards Simon

amen to the zip ties.... every good tool kit should have zip ties and gaffer/duct tape.... and a fucking big hammer


(can u tell i like BIG hammers??)

OK, I don't see the...

That's a bit hard to remove better grab the crowbar

Gnarled screwdriver used for everything except turning screws

Pipe grips for holding things still while the crowbar is used

Chain link removing angle grinder

Car axle stands under the foot pegs to replicate a centre stand

Trolley jack under the sump (often used with the axle ‘centre’ stands) to raise the front for front wheel/fork removal

Bluetac to hold a nut in place while you locate the bolt on the other side of the bike and struggle to reach the nut too. Have also been known to use gaffer tape for this.

Spare 13mm socket as many nuts & bolts sets use the same size each end and every socket set only comes with one socket. Same goes for 10mm and with spanners as well as sockets