Can anyone provide guidance over which tools I should own for performing maintenance?
Somethings that I think I'll need:
Voltage Meter
Various wrenches and screwdrivers
What else would be helpful to have?
You'll eventually want to have a manometer or sync sticks. The homemade ones just don't do the trick very well.
Aside from your "normal" sockets and wrenches, make sure you have a good set of allen wrenches and allen sockets. These bikes use a ton of them.
When it comes to the allen keys, I would get both a long and short set. I would also get a set that has the ball end for tight quarters. Don't use the ball end on extremely difficult to break bolts. You don't want a ball to break off in a bolt head. You can get them pretty cheaply at Harbor Freight. I got mine at Lowes I think and they were $30 for a 6 piece set of the long ones.
torque wrenches
e-ring pliers specifically made for master cylinders. You can make it without them, but it isn't any fun.
Quote from: PwrManDan on August 19, 2013, 12:55:44 PM
torque wrenches
e-ring pliers specifically made for master cylinders. You can make it without them, but it isn't any fun.
good looks, i didnt consider torque wrenches. also, how do i know if e-ring pliers are made for master cylinders? Do I need to them from a Napa auto parts or something?
Relatively high dollar, but I sure wish I'd bought one 25 years ago: ultrasonic parts cleaner.
At some point you will need a very long, skinny flathead screwdriver for adjusting the idle mix on the carbs. Also helps to have a long skinny phillips head for tightening the airbox down to the carb throats.
You'll need the special XZ550 tappet adjusting tool
Flywheel puller (to do your inevitable starter clutch rebuild)
There are a bunch of tools in the manual that you'll need if you start doing engine work
Quote from: ghostrider on August 19, 2013, 01:58:43 PM
Quote from: PwrManDan on August 19, 2013, 12:55:44 PM
torque wrenches
e-ring pliers specifically made for master cylinders. You can make it without them, but it isn't any fun.
good looks, i didnt consider torque wrenches. also, how do i know if e-ring pliers are made for master cylinders? Do I need to them from a Napa auto parts or something?
you can find them on the internet.. http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-Master-Cylinder-Snap-Ring/dp/B001DDAETA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1376964533&sr=8-4&keywords=snap+ring+pliers+for+master+cylinder