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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!think!inmet!roland
From: roland@inmet.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Toolkit contents query
Message-ID: <3600003@inmet.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Jul-85 11:25:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: inmet.3600003
Posted: Tue Jul 30 11:25:00 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 3-Aug-85 09:47:44 EDT
References: <5800004@hpfclp.UUCP>
Lines: 27
Nf-ID: #R:hpfclp:5800004:inmet:3600003:000:1486
Nf-From: inmet!roland    Jul 30 11:25:00 1985


	I never apprectiated how good my BMW tool kit was
until I stopped to help riders of other brands - most kits
were not complete and had inferior tools.  It comes with
open and box end wrenches, allen wrenches, phillips and
slotted screwdriver, tire levers (which are long enough in
spite of complaints otherwise - unless you use very stiff
tires), pliers (the one weak tool), feeler gauge, spark
plug wrench, and a few special tools.  Cost is about $45;
sometimes Capital Cycle Corp., 1508 Moran Rd., P.O. Box 528,
Sterling, VA 22170, has them on sale for $30; current list
through them is $35.
	If you want to collect your own set, either to save
money or because the sizes aren't exactly right, do two things:
buy quality tools and do a careful inventory of your requirements.
Good quality tools won't break or bend when you try to use them.
Sears Craftsman, Snap-On, and Stahlwille are some of the best
available.  Get box end wrenches for every nut or bolt that you
can reach with one; otherwise get open end.  Sockets are nice
for working at home, but unless you have to have one to reach
a necessary adjusting bolt, etc., they're not needed.  Some
riders of Japanese bikes carry an impact wrench because of all
the phillips head screws; it's easy to strip them out if you're
not careful.  Find a mechanic friend to try his wrenches on
your bike to see that they fit and reach and do the job before
you spend the money - there's no point in building a custom kit
that doesn't fit.