Hello,

I don't think we have a section for our favorite tools/products for working in the garage so I figured I'd start a post and see if members will ad their own favorites.

For example, I usually wear disposable gloves. I have 3 open boxes in the garage right now, and my favorites are Gloveworks orange nitrile. They are dimpled so it's easier to hang on to parts/tools even with an oily or greasy glove.



They are so damn good, that sometimes I finish working and they are a little greasy or oily but have zero tears. I'm able to take them off, hang them from my garage wall peg board and re-use them.

The black gloves and blue gloves I have are much thinner and they tear quickly. I'm trying to use them up and every time I wear one they tear. I'm just about to throw both boxes away.

The tool set I just bought and I'm pretty happy with is Pit Posse 3/8ths Drive Spanner T Handle Rotating Metric Tool Set



I paid $20 through a local seller on Craigslist.org and they've become the spanners of choice when working on the SD.

Got a couple I can add.

CruzTOOLS (SP58-4) 5/8" x 4" Long Spark Plug Socket

Makes getting the plugs out very easy if your bike didn't come with a tool kit.


Hot Cams HCSHIM31 Shim Kit

Invaluable if you do your own valve jobs.


Jiffy-tite 21505 2000 Series Socket
JT22505 Jiffy-tite Quick Connect Fluid Fittings Plug, -5 AN Hose Barb- Valved

This will replace your fuel tank quick disconnect when it fails and pisses fuel down your leg or otherwise.

I still have this set from my car days and its one of the best multitool sets i've had. Used to be great for track days for the cars etc and use it all the time on the duke.

Nice, just ordered me a set of those orange nitrile gloves.

http://www.crescenttool.com/mechanics-t ... l-set.html

I've got this tool set which is great because it has damn near everything you would need and is easy to carry around. Great for track days. Comes with spark plug sockets as well.

May seem expensive for pliers but probably the single best tool I've ever had
https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-8603180-7 ... ols+knipex

Any specific tools for the 1290 that anyone recommends? Just got mine last week and not sure what I need to get the rear wheel off, etc.

I have lots of the basics and a decent amount of motion pro bike stuff but know I don't have much over a 40mm socket...

Instead of gloves i use this:

As long as you are not working with water, this stuff is perfect!

As much as I hate cheap Chinese tools I have a few draws full of them from Harbor Freight. I often walk up and down their aisle's buying tools I don't really need but think maybe one day I just might need it.

My current favorite tool is one I fabricated myself to work on my ducati forks https://vault.myvzw.com/webcs/app/share ... pM4Azzc3YH
And as I have told Steve I also like my tyre changing 2x4 & 1x1 boards I use to break tyre beads.

Everyone needs a set of these in their lives, they just might not realise it yet

For delicate cutting, but mostly for cutting cable tie ends off perfectly flush, no more scratches.

^^^^^^ AlexH, can you post brand names and/or website or store to get them at?

My particular ratchet spanners came from Halfords as I'm in the Uk, considered as good as snap-on by many - I'm not sure you guys have a Halfords?
http://geniustoolsusa.com/catalog/wrenc ... 7308s.html

Those look similar, I prefer the type with the flexible head, surprisingly useful.

As for the cutters, just google Lindstrom, or if you want similar but not quite as expensive knipex are almost as good. I've still got my first set of Lindstrom cutters from 14 years ago, and have gone through a few sets of knipex in parallel http://www.ebay.com/itm/LINDSTROM-8160- ... SwLVZVz53b

Cleaning/Lubricating the chain was never one of my favorite things however this new brush/cleaner combo makes it so much easier. The brush encircles the chain 360º . On the Duke I found it self jams on the path to the front sprocket so you dont even need to hold it while rotating the rear wheel. On other bikes I've used pliers to hold it. Two or three passes and your done. Removes all that dirt and grime and even some surface rust that had built up. Not bad for $15
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EXFHXU8/re ... ords=tirox