motorcycle tool supply

[squidwood]

I am pondering the idea of starting a company that supplies metric tools for Ducati Riders.
These would be the most common tools used to do basic jobs and maintainenece on your bike.
Having worked in the industry several years ago and seen what crappy hand tools people have I wondered would there be a need to supply decent ,well made hand tools that will last.I would not sell craftsman as i deem them to be crap, but more like Snap on, Mac, Matco or Proto.
I could put a basic kit together that would last you a lifetime and would probably run around $3-400.00 or so.
Bear in mind I purchased my first set of hard tip snap on screw drivers when I arrived in this country 23 years ago and still use them every day............
Looking for feedback on this, no slagging me about price. etc I am after more of a positive feedback to see if it is worth my while.
Good quality tools feel good in your hand, get the job done, fit, don't break dont round off  etc.
I have found that ratchets with metric hex bits are the best way to remove most of the fasteners on my bike coupled with the correct metric wrenches for nuts/bolts .
For the person male or female that wants to work on their own bike it'll be a good investment.
Let me know!

[Porsche Monkey]

I am a professional auto technician by trade. Most of my tools are Snap-On with some Matco and Mac thrown in.  I don't have any cheap tools in my tool box. Its frustrating when a tool fails halfway through a job or fails and causes damage to a fastener or part. Buy quality tools and the chances of this happening are quite a bit less.

[zLoki]

Sounds like a great idea, would be good to be able to buy a good set of tools from one place without having a who;e bunch of extras.  I'd buy a set.

[dbran1949]

I would be happy to buy a set. (I do electronic design work and always buy Fluke meters and Tektronix o-scopes) I hate cheap tools. While you're at it you could sell replacement fastener sets. I know there are places like tastynuts.com etc. But it is difficult to know exactly what is needed for each individual Ducati model.

One more thing would be some good quality calipers and micrometers.

One note about pricing. You are always going to get people who will say "I can go buy all this on my own for less" Just like the people who pregnant dog about dealers pricing. Try to ignore them


good luck

[Spidey]

Honestly, it depends on who you're trying to sell to -- newbie wrenchers or experienced wrenchers who need simple tools for a Duc.  The problem is that I think most people who are going to buy tools like Mac or Snap-On, they'll want more than just a metric set tailored to a Ducati.  For folks who don't already have a tool kit or only have a $30 kit they bought at Walmart and are looking for a basic toolkit to wrench on their Duc , they don't need (and won't appreciate) Snap-On type tools.  The people who fall into neither of those categories might not be enough to justify your time in putting together and selling those kits.

I know folks that use tools all the time love Snap On and Mac.  They should.  The quality of those tools is far superior to the cheaper stuff.  But frankly, they're overkill for the average Duc owner wrenching in his garage.  I generally use Craftsman tools for anything that is needs some precision (sockets, allens, torque wrench etc) and cheaper tools for other stuff.  If you wrench a decent amount, you save money, time and frustation in the long run with Snap On, but they're such a big initial investment, I'm not sure they're worth it for most people. 

But don't let me discourage you.  The idea of a ready-to-go toolkit is great.  I just don't think it needs to be or should be Snap-On quality.  Someguy (aka somebastid aka Mr. Incredible aka whatever-his-name-is-two-years-from-now) did a Tutorial on how to stock a basic tool kit.  I assume that's kinda what you are talking about.

[metallimonster]

You might want to look into Cornwell tools.  I was an Audi Technician and had Matco, Mac, Snap-on, and Craftsman.
Quality wise Cornwell is very similar to the big boys but a good deal cheaper.  They were my favorites to work with.

[DEVO!]

Sounds like a good idea you might want to provide bike stands too good stands are  way to $$$ but a set of tools I would be down to get, you can never have to many tools.

[zooom]

I think Spidey is on the right track with target audience....I am also a Snap-On/BluePoint guy for the most part with a couple specific Craftsman or other tools in my Matco toolbox (like the occasional cheap Chrome Vanadium wrench I would pick up to specifically bend and mold or otherwise modify and reshape to a particular task only)...I think as a suggestion that alot of guys don't have, would be a good complete roadside toolkit...not something for everyday wrenching, but something that your target audience might buy, but also the guys like us whom have commented thus far who might pick it up to have as an on the road usage kit for to keep in the tailbag/tankbag/or other storage compenent. Something that would be or need no more room than what the Sargent underseat storage tube would hold as a target scope of size...I would prefer not to have to repurchase some of my tools just to keep in my tailbag for on the road use only as that isn't exactly cost effective to me....but might consider something like this for exactly that use.

[mitt]

I think it is a good idea, but putting a piece by piece kit together out of a snap-on catalog is going to be more than 300-400$ - hell, a 3/8 drive ratchet runs over $100 alone.

I used to buy only snap-on, but now with less wrenching + more diverse projects, some crapsman and autozone stuff has found its way into my box.  You don't need the snap-on name to find good tools, but it is a guaranty.  The other brands, you might have to do some trial and error to find if they are good or not.  A lot of the craftsman wrenches and sockets I have bought and received as gifts do not fit the fasteners like my snap-on.

I think there is also a market for a complete ducati tool set, built with aftermarket weird tools, like the castle sockets, pulley holders, crank turning tool, etc.

mitt

[V-twin]

Could be a tough call, as with guys who are mechanically minded would have a good tool kit and just buy the odd special tool to suit the job. When I read the title I thought of a small carry bag tool kit, to me that would handy as I hate pulling my good tool set apart and toss in a bag when I go I a trip. 
Now if someone made a good carry on the road tool kit, with good gear etc that would be more 'sellable'? than a big workshop type kit as even guys with all the gear would buy I think??  a good carry bag tool kit so they don't have to break up there good set???

Another idea maybe to sell as well?

[TAftonomos]

I have a mix of a lot of stuff.

Mainly Craftsman, but some snap on, some mac, cornwell, and a bunch of S&K stuff as well.

Worked for 4 years as a pro-wrench in a dealership and at/with a race team.  Some made fun of the craftsman stuff, but you know what ?  My sockets/ratchets and box all combined cost half of what some of a small snap on box cost.  Never saw the point in overspending just to have the name.  Who's laughing when I do the same job, but I've got 20K more in my pocket (or 20K less in debit to some tool truck) 

TO be honest, I've had more problems doing warranty exchange for snap on and mac tools than I've ever had with Craftsman.  It's been awhile since I've broken ANY tool though, and generally speaking, if you use the correct tool for the job, you won't have much breakage either.

[Capo]

I have had only one socket split in my life and that was Snap On.
I 'inherited' some Craftsman wrenches and they became my wrench of choice, I dislike the oval section of the snap on wrenches which tend to hurt my hands, the flat sides of the craftsman's are much more comfortable.

I am now using Teng

With Snap On, you are paying for the name.

[dbran1949]

TO be honest, I've had more problems doing warranty exchange for snap on and mac tools than I've ever had with Craftsman.  It's been awhile since I've broken ANY tool though, and generally speaking, if you use the correct tool for the job, you won't have much breakage either.

I've never broken a tool either, but I have rounded off a lot of fasteners with ill fitting / poorly machined tools. The casual user has a higher probability of doing this. I first starting wrenching in 1970 on my first bike a 305 honda superhawk. I got pretty good with the e-z out, lots of practice. I have never been a pro, but I used to supplement my $138 / month Navy income tuning bikes and cars

I really notice it now, especially with hex key (allen) wrenches. I'd love to find an accurate strong set

[TAftonomos]

I really notice it now, especially with hex key (allen) wrenches. I'd love to find an accurate strong set

I use S&K's for my hex ends, whether it be on a rachet/extension, or T Handle.  The S&K's come with a nice little case they sit in.  The high dollar SO T handles I've got had a plastic bag (bleh) that they came in.  $5 on ebay found me a T handle organizer.

[squidwood]

Its like anything else really, you only get what you pay for.

Would your wife or girlfriend be happy to buy you a set of tools specific for your bike?

Would you be happy if she gave that to you as a gift ?

Would you use the tools for other projects around the garge?

Would you buy a specific set knowing that you could accomplish basic jobs knowing that half way thru , you did not have to go to the store to find the tool that will fit?

Metric is the global standard.Why not invest in something that you can have forever?

How many of you work on your own bike doing projects such as fitting new triples, brakes caliper swap outs, removing your own wheels and fitting new tyres, valve adjustments, not to mention trying to get the bloody oil screen out when its oil change time etc

I have probably about 12-15 tools that I commonly use for working on my bike and that has given me the idea...........

I like the idea of an on the road kit, as these bikes will rattle themselves to death if fasteners are not loctited. Good suggestion guys!

Thanks for the responses and feedback , keep them coming.