Every motorcycle workshop needs the following items. If you don’t have the space or resources to do it all yourself, a few friends can go in together to rent a garage, or one friend can supply the space while the rest supply tools and fixtures.
A. WORKSTAND Critical. This needs to be a long, sturdy bench about knee high, strong enough to support a bike. Fit it with tie-down hooks and/or a front-wheel chock to hold the bike upright.
B. PEGBOARD Hang your most frequently used tools where you can get to them easily. Start with combination wrenches, hex keys, and socket sets to fit your bike. Include pliers, hammers, and screwdrivers. Add more specialized tools as needed.
C. HEAT Lots of wrenching goes on at night or in the winter when it’s too cold to ride. It’s no fun working in an unheated garage, so at least plug in a couple of space heaters.
D. LIGHT Get as much light in your workspace as possible. Big fluorescent lights overhead are a necessity—you can easily find used ones for cheap. Add some drop lamps on extension cords for when you need special spot illumination.
E. VENTILATION Solvents and fuel mean nasty fumes. Be sure you have adequate ventilation. An open garage door is a start; a couple of box fans are even better.
F. FIRE EXTINGUISHER A no-brainer. Keep it close by.
G. PARTS TANK A dedicated parts-cleaning tank is a real luxury, but once you’ve used one you’ll never go back. Benchtop models are available. Use rubber gloves and eye protection.
H. GLOVES Latex or (better) blue nitrile gloves are a great choice when you’re working around grease or oil.
I. WORKBENCH Along with the bike stand, a waist-high workbench lets you do your best work easily.
J. VISE Mount it to the end of your workbench. About 10,000 uses. Maybe more.
K. TRASH CAN Metal, with a tight-fitting, fire-resistant lid. Empty it often.
L. SOUND SYSTEM A lot of maintenance is tedium, and a radio or iPod speaker system can make those long hours more bearable.
M. FRIDGE For beer or your drink of choice—but stay sober and safe, whether riding or wrenching.
Every motorcycle workshop needs the following items. If you don’t have the space or resources to do it all yourself, a few friends can go in together to rent a garage, or one friend can supply the space while the rest supply tools and fixtures.
A. WORKSTAND Critical. This needs to be a long, sturdy bench about knee high, strong enough to support a bike. Fit it with tie-down hooks and/or a front-wheel chock to hold the bike upright.
B. PEGBOARD Hang your most frequently used tools where you can get to them easily. Start with combination wrenches, hex keys, and socket sets to fit your bike. Include pliers, hammers, and screwdrivers. Add more specialized tools as needed.
C. HEAT Lots of wrenching goes on at night or in the winter when it’s too cold to ride. It’s no fun working in an unheated garage, so at least plug in a couple of space heaters.
D. LIGHT Get as much light in your workspace as possible. Big fluorescent lights overhead are a necessity—you can easily find used ones for cheap. Add some drop lamps on extension cords for when you need special spot illumination.
E. VENTILATION Solvents and fuel mean nasty fumes. Be sure you have adequate ventilation. An open garage door is a start; a couple of box fans are even better.
F. FIRE EXTINGUISHER A no-brainer. Keep it close by.
G. PARTS TANK A dedicated parts-cleaning tank is a real luxury, but once you’ve used one you’ll never go back. Benchtop models are available. Use rubber gloves and eye protection.
H. GLOVES Latex or (better) blue nitrile gloves are a great choice when you’re working around grease or oil.
I. WORKBENCH Along with the bike stand, a waist-high workbench lets you do your best work easily.
J. VISE Mount it to the end of your workbench. About 10,000 uses. Maybe more.
K. TRASH CAN Metal, with a tight-fitting, fire-resistant lid. Empty it often.
L. SOUND SYSTEM A lot of maintenance is tedium, and a radio or iPod speaker system can make those long hours more bearable.
M. FRIDGE For beer or your drink of choice—but stay sober and safe, whether riding or wrenching.