5 Tools Every Motorcyclist NEEDS! (And How To USE Them)

[@spitescorner]

What's another tool you think is essential for the home mechanic?

[@simonkennedy6116]

I'd say a decent air compressor for blowing up your own tyres (I answered before I saw the whole video)

[@CarlosGuzman-tv2tx]

A manual impact driver helps a lot to not to damage the head of the screws when you cant loosen those and is a cheap tool

[@Yougotrats]

air conditioning for your garage lol

[@MrMunky1985]

Pro tip....those sleeves on your multimeter tips slip off to have full length tips instead of little nubs. 😅

[@antonioavrami4788]

Your mum ! 😉

[@fullmetalcorgi1350]

My wife says I'm the only tool she ever needs.

[@shadowdancer2131]

😂

[@marcusvalentin5485]

Lie

[@LogicalQ]

That’s a keeper

[@fullmetalcorgi1350]

@@LogicalQ things to say when the Victoria's Secret employee is taking your wife's measurements

[@chriszeis5477]

My wife tells me I have every tool made,but I still find more I need

[@thorstenmetalhead9666]

This is the content Yammie would never have let published under his channel, but you shine on. Keep it up your good work!

[@Felix_A_]

Note on the multimeter, those probes should be a bit longer. The little cone shaped pieces on the end help to protect you from shorting out the positive on a frame or something else grounded. The little cone shaped things should just pull off without too much fuss.

[@liquidrepublic]

I came here to say the same. The tips on mine are just like his.

[@John_Ridley]

Yeah those are just there for CAT rating. They should pop right off.

[@N269]

I find those guards quite good. Having a long exposed probes can lead to unexpected fireworks - especially when in the hands of an individual who epitomizes the expression "a little learning is a dangerous thing". Frankly, bike maintenance (any maintenance), as a whole, should be done by someone who has a firm grip on the subject, not an "education" (especially a KZbin "education")

[@ou7shined972]

yup

[@liquidrepublic]

@@N269 They definitely have their place, but it's nice to be able to remove them when needed as well. Learning to perform basic maintenance isn't an awful idea. It can give you a better idea of how your bike operates and makes it easier for you to identify when you do actually have a problem.

[@markymarknj]

I have two, quick thoughts. One, you can also use a beam type torque wrench. They're less expensive than clicker types; they don't need to be calibrated; and they're good enough. Two, one thing that comes in handy is those little headlights you can wear on your head; it sits on your forehead, and lights up wherever you're looking. It's INDISPENSIBLE!

[@carver7689]

I saw those Pittsburgh labels. Next time you walk into a Hazard Fraught store, Spite, get a pedestal fan. You won't want to use it while you're recording, but it will feel like angels' kisses while working in the garage in that summer heat.

[@croscoe333]

3:33 the man saw an opportunity, the man took it. Well done, sir! 😂

[@thebrowns5337]

and the opportunity was... your mom

[@sanxi34]

Something that has made my work on motorcycles SOOOO much better is a small battery-powered lamp, one of those that have multiple levels of lighting and a magnetic base with a hook. They are great for when you are running a bit lower in light, for then you need to sneak it through to see something in a dar corner, and they are super versatile =D

[@KimmoJaskari]

Also, a head-mounted LED light. Always puts the light where your eyes are. Absolutely great when wrenching, even though my garage has LED lights and is plenty bright you still get those dark nooks and crannies - a LED head lamp is perfect for that.

[@ADingoTookMyDasco]

Other than a set of tyre spoons & a patch kit for anyone with spoked wheels running tube tyres, a chain breaker & riveting kit is an essential in my toolbox. It's also nice to have a shop stool on wheels, especially if it has a tool tray onboard.

[@jasonmeador124]

Great one, Spite. Quick, conscise, knowledge drop. One other 'on the bike' emergency tool is a $20 bill stored in your under-the-seat tool kit.

[@johnpflug1567]

Two twenties and a ten is much better these days. Inflation! Back in the good old days, the1960s, my Uncle Doug used to keep a $20 bill inside the folded registration of his Corvette; the State Troopers on the Jersey Turnpike were very appreciative!

[@gregt995]

For anyone uncertain about the tire patch, I've used one on one of my work truck tires which inflates to a max of 80psi and has a load rating of around 3000lbs and it has held up so far for nearly a year. That's with me very frequently hauling gravel, concrete, lumber, etc. and maxing out my payload on a semi-regular basis. I would have absolutely no qualms about using one of these on a motorcycle tire

[@rednelli]

Hint: Remove the plastic caps from the probes. Hint two: Wrap a thin wire around the end of the probe and leave part of it straight as an extension of the probe. You can then insert it into small spaces. Super film. Useful for many amateurs.

[@carlosdj81]

12:36 in case anyone is wondering

[@user-hf7jp2lt5x]

One of the best tools is a cup of tea or coffee. If stuff isn’t working out, just have a cuppa and it forces you to take the time to think. Great show.

[@chucknv5482]

As an electrician, I cringed every time he lifted his multimeter by the leads 😂. That’s so wild to see. I’d get smacked for it at work. You have a nicked lead testing 480+V and it contacts a surface, good luck and it was nice knowing you.

[@DomGaskell]

When I bought my first big bike, I bought a trickle charger in place of the tender. Also after having it not start on a couple of occasions I bought a jumper and adaper that permanently connects to the battery, so when it next needs a jump start, it's a case of hooking the jumper in rather than unloading just to get under the seat. All about making a painful situation less painful! Side note: my first bike was a CB125F, complete with the Honda reliability so I never needed any of this. It also had a centre stand, something I'm not blessed with now. Damn I was spoiled by that little thing...

[@ClockDev]

Having a fan in the shop to work with some fresh air is also pretty handy ;-)

[@Ichibuns]

Between the inside of my truck bed and its outer panels, I have a hard mounted air compressor. I also keep some tire plugs in the cab. Between taking the bicycles out, getting a flat tire, hauling the motorcycle places, etc. It will come in handy at some point and I'll be glad I have it. If it's miraculously not me, someone I run across would be very thankful. Even if the tire is "unrepairable," the repair will last long enough to avoid a tow.

[@modularcuriosity]

I love seeing the subscriber count already past 100k. Good Job Spite.

[@paulforrest3182]

A manual impact driver that you strike with a hammer and the mechanism turns the screw. A set of JIS driver bits or screwdrivers. These are for Japanese bikes that have screws that ARE NOT Philips head, but look like them. A soldering iron Heat shrink tubing. A hot air gun. And a compressor

[@tjey379]

Thanks you do have great maintenance tips, some of these suggestions I will look for and some are not even in my country but I have about 20% ,😄down already.👍👍👍

[@Mr_Scoobie_]

Tip. When using the tire repair kit put some rubber cement on it then light it on fire. It helps expand the rope plug and keeps from air escaping.

[@dasko3]

Enjoyable video Spite! Was anyone else hoping that they would see Whitney dressed up as 10mm goblin in the attic?

[@tomgibson5769]

Thanks!

[@izcho]

I wish I saw this video before I stripped a bolt and also over torqued an engine cover bolt! Learned the hard way but this for sure helped me understand what really went wrong!! Thanks for all the awesome and useful info

[@haneymoto]

I always have random blocks of 2x4s or 4x4s around. They are handy under a wheel when you're taking it off. Or as a wheel chock need be. A large screwdriver or bar can be handy when putting axles back in to get things lined up.

[@awpgaming7505]

imagine taking all your 10mm out for a video to realize then to forget where you put them lol that would suck. The mom joke had a good laugh haha. By far one of your best videos with great comedy sir!

[@kokobeatz7222]

4:22 common myth is you shouldn’t plug your motorcycle tire. But I can confirm the manual says it’s okay and even gives you a rated top speed. And it will be faster than you think.

[@ThreeStreets42]

Two weeks ago, I bought 3 new 10mm sockets, one for each of my tool kits. Legit no idea where the originals went. My tap and die set has saved my ass on more than one occasion!

[@1991sealed]

The zip ties! Literally today needed one when my buddies license plate bolt fell out somewhere on the road and we didn't have one. Soon as I got home I stuffed a few in my bag

[@firefighter1c57]

#1 a service manual for your particular bike.

[@DiddleDangle]

The your mom joke got me so good. Also this has to be one of the most useful / concise vids I've seen on this stuff. I'm a newbie so it's nice to know what the minimum set of tools looks like.

[@LeonardbroNocaprio420]

Most multi meters (including the cheapy that you just showed us) do have longer points, there is a sleeve around them, as there is a sleeve around the probes of yours too in the video. Go out there grab a needle nose and pull gently on the outside cover that's covering up that probe, you'll see that it pops off, leaving you about an inch of probe. When you are done you can snap these covers back on... I felt like a dumbass the first time I realized this as a 40 year old man about 7 years ago. Good content though, thanks for that!

[@davidlovelady163]

You had me with the 10mm search This is one of the best videos I’ve seen in awhile 👍👍

[@michaelconran5252]

Since wife and I lay down the miles. We carry a NOCO battery jumper. Also a small air pump with light that plugs into the pigtail. This is a Harley branded one, but the price was on par with other brands. The NOCO is on the expensive side. For my Harley M8 I got the adapter, so I don't have to spend 30 tearing the bike apart to get to the battery. I just plug into the jumper pigtail. If you ride all day or multiple days. Carry the basic tools you will most likely need on your bike. It is usually something small and stupid that will ruin your day. Touring Florida, had the brake perch bolt back out some. Pulled over #27 Torx and on my way.

[@phatsmitty]

Spite, your garage is not a mess - it looks very organized compared to mine. My garage looks like a yard sale. Like someone picked it up, shook it upside down, then put it back on the slab. My shiny new Tenere and my garage sound system are the crown jewels...

[@michalbezdek543]

I like how Spite is getting greasier and greasier as he goes throu the tools.

[@scheppusmaximusgaming]

i thought no one else noticed haha

[@toddwebb7521]

My experience with bacon strips mostly on car tires is that if you catch it while it's low but not actually like rim sitting on the deflated tire on the ground flat they will wear all the way to the end of tread life without blowing out , but if you are like rim on the deflated tire flat it will blow out before getting to the end of the tread life, go ahead and replace it before that happens

[@jeffferguson899]

for a better penetrating oil than pb blaster just mix 50/50 ATF and acetone. also I find an impact driver a great addition to the tool chest. especially if you have a vintage bike

[@WVRider304]

Yes to the impact driver!!

[@1683clifton]

One stupid thing I keep in my bag is an oldschool lensatic compass. Phone dead? No map? Just remember how interstates work and break out old magnetic direction finder.

[@NobodyWhatsoever]

Hey, Spite, I worked with electronics for a few years, and always used the equipment already in the workshop until I eventually bought my own multimeter. It came with similar ends on the leads, and I found out there were cone sleeves on the ends of the leads. It won't be so helpful for those short ones, but even aftermarket leads (which can cost much less than a whole new meter, so instead of just replacing the whole thing, why not just the leads?) sometimes come with the plastic cones on their leads. Good video, and thank you. Great advice!

[@CJ21461]

Dude the Texas heatwave is brutal you're soaked. So glad I'm not back home it's pretty nice riding weather in Socal right now. Stay safe and drink water.

[@davidmcfaull3162]

For over 50 years on bikes with no center stand, Ive jacked up the bike on the right hand side and held the bike up with the kick stand.

[@JakeWest-1]

as a diesel tech years ago, I used to use torque wrenches that would pull up to about 600lbft of torque, 855 Cummins head bolts torque at 400 foot pounds if I remember correctly.

[@jktho]

That was a good video spite.

[@chesterpophamproductions2879]

I love my auto sensing multimeter. Not like the old military days where we had to be careful and not blow the meter!

[@bendutro4787]

Humble suggestion that what you should have demonstrated was thread chasing as opposed to cutting new ones. Chasing with taps/dies quickly leads to undercutting and thread pullout. Great content, ride on!

[@Brian-jz1pi]

Good video makes me think of what may happen on the road.And any maintenance I've been putting off.

[@John_Ridley]

When I started working on motorcycles, I decided it was worth it to splurge on a digital torque wrench.

[@1989eol]

6:00 This tire looks like a "oh i am going to change this tire tomorrow, let's practise the art of spinning the wheel while not moving forward" situation.

[@theprodigalstranger5259]

Though its a bit harder to find I prefer Mouse Milk over PB Blaster. Best multi-meter I ever had was the Fluke 9090, only one I'd recommend. Honorable mention would be a good multi-tool like a leatherman!

[@wardroland270]

Thanks Spite. Great job. Good info. God bless. Happy trails.

[@John_Ridley]

Add: * Stainless steel zip ties are nice to carry around for securing hot stuff. * The $10 set of bolt extractors at Harbor Freight have saved me a few times.

[@elindenstein]

I went through the Helicoil mess on an oil change on my Bandit 1200 back in 2013 and I've never been that mad at myself, not before and not since.

[@diptenkrom]

if you are doing this work in a shop or garage, you could hang hooks in the cieilg or rafters to use straps or ropes to hold a bike up as well.

[@jamesmerritt1899]

A tip my dad taught me is if a bolt is really stuck don't just spray it with blaster but also get a small cloth and soak in blaster then wrap it around the head of the bolt. When the blaster penetrates the threads it will draw more oil from the cloth

[@biccys]

I would like to add, a selection of fuses to fit your bike. There's always a small cubby to store extra ones under the seat somewhere.

[@zacharybeetham7318]

Spite you can remove those little covers on the probes they are longer than you think. Also with plugging, the reamer needs to be jammed in and out a few times to expand the hole enough to get the plug in easier, also always coat the plug in rubber cement beforehand it helps seal and lubes on the way in as a bonus. Also twist the plug tool about 45 degrees before pulling out puts a loop in he plug inside the tire ad helps you from pulling the plug back into whe you remove the tool. Cool video dude enjoy your content .

[@paulgarritty8978]

Great video just remember to apply the rubber cement glue when inserting the tyre plugs 👍

[@johnmitchell9705]

Just backing off on the tension on the torque wrench is enough. If the threads on a bolt are messed up replace the bolt with a new one if you can. You can use a helicoil to fix damaged threads.

[@RadicalLinguisticDescriptivism]

Good tips. I was lucky and inherited a set of metric sockets that had extra 10, 11, and 12mm sockets in it already... I guess they must have encountered this problem too. Hang in there with the ridiculously unforgiving heat. Hydrate and chill if you can.

[@neonsamurai1348]

I live in a condo, unfortunately I don't really have the space for half of that stuff :) (and trickle charging is a real pain as no electrical sockets in the garage, so I have to take the battery out each and EVERY time).

[@Hopefulfodder]

I needed a 10 mm socket and was using my bosses tool kit of scattered bits in ziplock bags in his tool box. He had 6! It was like seeing a rare treasure

[@dmaxcustom]

I am laughing my ass off at Spite increasing sweat patches in his tshirt.

[@spitescorner]

It's like 100 in the garage during the day lol. You can't escape it. Embrace the sweat monster

[@crjlife_9082]

I can’t stress enough a tire patch kit with co2 canisters. Has saved my ass twice already this past year.

[@epyon314]

Hey, those probes have a protective sleeve over the end of them. Just pull it off for longer probes.

[@paulsmecker2439]

I have found one of the digital torque adapters is just as good as a whole bunch of different torque wrenchs and a quite affordable. Zipper ties always save the day!!

[@hvymax]

KLR threads are all cut in Zamac. I ripped the footpegs out of the frame and crushed the rear subframe sticking a landing across a log. I hate when Righty Tighty turns into Righty Loosey!!!

[@hvymax]

Center stand was the first addition to my KLR.

[@lukefish7562]

3:33 HEY! 🤬 And it’s my moms birthday today! 🤣 Tell her I said hello! 😆

[@micpen22]

If you strip out an allen wrench, you can tap in a starbit of the same size and stripped out.

[@ezpoppy55]

My biggest takeaway: I’m not the only one who can not find that goddamned 10mm socket/wrench/tool when I need it! (And I enjoyed the Monty Python reference, too.) Great info and advice!

[@Garrett-j7i]

Lol

[@BMWBAS]

Great video, the 10mm skit was perfect. 😂

[@BelfastBiker]

Wonderful list - I'm new to biking - got the zipties, dremel, multimeter, and the battery tender at home, and in the backpack, the plug kit battery powered inflator, and the jump pack. Need to look at bike lift kits or rear stand, torque wrenches and tap and die kit. Cheers.!!!

[@blandrooker6541]

Good tip about pit stands, but a front stand is nice to have as well. But, I ended up selling both my front and rear PitBull stands and getting an Abba SkyLift, about 775 bucks including shipping from the UK. Also, a Rabaconda street tire changer works wonders. Granted, those are some expensive tools, but worth it in my garage and according to my 61 year old back. Also, European style tire repair screws are SO much faster and easier than rope plugs, and I always have a battery powered air pump in my road kit.

[@SunyJim]

Totally agree with torque wrenches, also picked up the 1/4 and 3/8 so far. Haven't got a 1/2 inch yet, but also don't have anything that big to torque Too true about the tire patch kit, has to be one of the most common reasons to be stuck at the side of the road on a bike

[@chrisv8997]

Hey! This was a very helpful video. Thank you.

[@geoffhurley8103]

When you run the rasp tool through the nail hole, feel around and follow the hole as the nail probably went through at an angle. If you just shove it through, you'll make a second hole and worst case the tire will delaminate at speed. And always store the torque wrench set to zero.

[@postersm7141]

9:20 “ unfucking fucked threads” I can’t believe that close captioning actually got part of this right! I am impressed!!!

[@JustAGuyYaKnow42]

The probes on your multi meter look like they've got caps that could be removed for a little extra prone length.. we can always use more probe length.

[@iiGingiey]

Actually I got some rubber cement from Walmart that makes getting the plug in so easy I almost slide all the way in everything I use it, but once it set it doesn't even leak, I love it, it's like a white and black tube of Vulcanized rubber I think, I correct then comment when I get home of I remember. Also, this is an instructional video, obligatory correction of form... you're not supposed to twist the plug, push it in like a man, if you can't. Se the tire on the ground, get on top, and push down with your weight. Obviously, it's easier when the tore is on a rime and not as bendy as it is here.

[@tonyjourneyman1944]

I have extra double ring end 10/11mm and 12/13mm ring spanners for exactly the problem you mentioned at the start. These are not top shelf brand spanners, but still not crap ones either. The fork leg clamps on my bike are behind the headlight and impossible to get at with a torque wrench, what I'd really like is a torque "spanner" if such a thing existed.

[@daltonj507]

😂 ..."secret of life, holy grail, no 10mm" cracked me up

[@mattcrain6893]

Proper spanner for adjusting preload on shocks can be very handy to have.

[@KimmoJaskari]

I like the Stop & Go mushroom plugs. I like the idea of having a mushroom head inside the tire pushing against the hole, seems very secure. The installation tool is also way easier to use than cramming rubber into a tiny hole. Stop n Go is just better than this generic plugging strip thing - in my opinion. I do have a full kit in my bike toolkit.

[@motoryzen]

I've seen for myself time and time again AND Ryan F9 from Fortnite has proven also that your regular dime a dozen sticky plugs are better and last longer

[@Ryskimus]

Get one of those giant fans from harbor fright for your garage, 9500 CFM will help solve that heat problem ya got there

[@Troubleshooter-2.0]

I live in Alabama and I might have 50 things to do in the garage. I just don't want to go out there in the heat. I was thinking that I need to insulate the garage door and find some way to add AC to the garage if only on a temporary basis. If you figure out something let me know. Thanks for sweating for us bro.

[@tomoates8568]

I've had to cut a slit into a bolt with a rotary tool to get it out once lol. Fun times

[@LiveToLoop]

Just noticed you have a garage now! Nice!

[@2WheelsNcoffee]

I think everytime I work on something, be it a bike or a car, I always have to buy some tool I don't have. I have most of the things mentioned here, but I've been meaning to pick up one a jump pack... don't have one of those yet.

[@spartanx169x]

This- "I always have to buy some tool I don't have", EVERY SINGLE TIME. lol

[@diptenkrom]

what happened to the bottom sprocket podcast???

[@danielgallegos971]

Your mom joke caught me off guard. I had to reply back 10 seconds to see if I heard correctly 😂

[@simonkennedy6116]

I've got the problem of my brother borrowing my tools and leaving them in his car including the ones I had to buy to replace the ones he already borrowed

[@RideWithRen]

Screw Grip is an excellent tool to have around if you're trying to remove old screws thar are worn out. In the absence of Screw Grip you can use laundry powder, fine sand, dirt, etc, but it's not as effective.

[@Silverwinger82]

You can find tire plug kits at some dollar stores.

[@Ntmoffi]

This is why harbor freight sells that 10mm socket set. 😂

[@jacobgibson9814]

Kroil works really well for tough bolts

[@KimmoJaskari]

Dammit. This awoke my 10 mm wrench trauma. Where's mine? Argh. 😂 I did buy a serious hydraulic bike lifter though, can get both wheels off the ground simultaneously. Also great for winter storage. There are also adaptable lifts, like the Big Blue, that has mounting kits for specific bikes I believe.

[@kaladincrayolablessed2166]

Loving the content

[@user-ot1dv6ri4f]

this is really comprehensive!

[@myz06rocks]

#1, 2 and 3 on your list should be the shop manual for your bike... or most those tools won't help much.