motorcycle tool supply

[ducatiz]

Something like this?

that's what i thought too, but i think he is saying non-specific items like hex wrenches and sockets.

i would love a kit like that for pantah ducatis..

[jsanford]

I'd be interested.  i now have four incomplete sets of hex keys--two or three of The One Size are now shot.  I just got a nice new fifth set for Chrstimas, metric and traditional, in a big ol' roll when I really just need the requisite sizes in a little roll.  Loose, they get knocked up, misplaced, or rusty.

As for model-specific tools, sometimes they market themselves.  The oil change FAQ for my first bike, written over five years ago at the time, mentioned an "Al Jesse Thingy" and had a url where it could be purchased. I called the number, and the person who answered the phone knew exactly what I was talking about, and didn't even let me finish my apology for calling out of the blue on a Saturday to ask for a "Thingy."

[corey]

I'm usually of the "you get what you pay for" persuasion when it comes to tools as well.
But I'm also of the, "I'm a weekend wrench that enjoys tinkering on my bike, but leaves the serious stuff(read:internal workings of motor/gearbox) up to the pros at my dealership.
That being said, NO, you won't see a Snap-On or MAC truck pulling up to my duplex in suburbia where i live with my grandmother. When i want a quality tool that i know is worth my money, I go where the reputation, and indeed the warranty are. Craftsman. My grandfather worked on printing and bindery machinery with Craftsman for 50+ years, my father worked on cars and the machinery at the shop with Craftsman, and by damn it's been good enough for my needs up to this point.
On the other hand, this doesn't mean that if i see a great deal on some expensive tools, that I'm not going to bite. My brother beat me to the punch on a a set of $500 ratcheting 12-points from SnapOn that one of his employees was selling for $300. These things are sweet, and i love using them while we work on his TransAm. I have noticed, as previously stated, that the tools are sort of "pointed" on the long edge of the handle, and they do HURT when exerting yourself upon them.

I'm also the guy that's willing to give the cheaper brands a chance too. Sears is now marketing (to the yuppies i guess, i bit because im a graphic designer and can't resist cool packaging) a brand of tools under the name "Evolv." They are home-owner tools, for the occassional tool user. But they have a set of Allen/Hex Sockets in their lineup. And at 9.99 ($30 cheaper than even craftsman) i had to give them a shot. The quality looks identical to Craftsman, and they even have a lifetime warranty. I'll keep you guys posted on how they work out.

Link: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00910058000P

[tcspeedfreak]

i have a very good line up of tools from all the big manufactures: snap on, mac, matco, cornwell, s&k, craftsmen, ect. i also have a ton of the cheap japanise stuff it all suits a purpose.

that being said are you a dealer that can cut us some kinda break on these "quality tools" or just had a good idea?

i would like to see a little more detailed list of what your looking at putting in this kit before i would say that it would be a good deal or not because knowing my luck id have the one tool thats supposed to work but not something to fix the thing that i was using the tool on

[ducatiz]

i have a very good line up of tools from all the big manufactures: snap on, mac, matco, cornwell, s&k, craftsmen, ect. i also have a ton of the cheap japanise stuff it all suits a purpose.

cheap japanese stuff??

all the japanese-made tools i've seen in the last 10 years were light-years better quality than all the ones you listed.

if you want crap tools nowadays, gotta go to India or China. 

Kanon makes some of the best tools I've seen -- but you better pony up some $$$$$ for them

[tcspeedfreak]

what i ment by that was all those cheap tools that you can buy at menards, northern tool, harbor freight, ect.  wasnt  really pointing the finger at any one country of manufacture just the cheap stuff

[mitt]

that's what i thought too, but i think he is saying non-specific items like hex wrenches and sockets.

i would love a kit like that for pantah ducatis..

+1 - that is the type of all encompassing Duc specific kit that I think would sell great if you could sell it for $500 or less.  As far as common sockets go, there are 3 stores within 2 miles of my house that carries common tools.

mitt

[mitt]

what i ment by that was all those cheap tools that you can buy at menards, northern tool, harbor freight, ect.  wasnt  really pointing the finger at any one country of manufacture just the cheap stuff

Like tizz said - now-a-days, made in Japan is a sign of prestige.  Check out audio / video equipment and the premium MiJ carries. 

If you are looking at harbor freight, then that is probably made in low end China.  China also has the ability to make world class equipment too.

mitt

[ducatiz]

+1 - that is the type of all encompassing Duc specific kit that I think would sell great if you could sell it for $500 or less.  As far as common sockets go, there are 3 stores within 2 miles of my house that carries common tools.

mitt

i think you could do it for a LOT less than $500. 

I have half of the tools shown below and buying them one-off has run me about $175.  i bet you could sell them for around $350 and make a good bit of cash.. plenty of foundries listing services on Alibaba.com

[squidwood]

I am not a snap on dealer or a tool dealer in any way.
I have worked in the industry though as a mechanic for Suzuki.I stared with craftsman tools and found them to be bulky and poorly made.I replaced pretty much all the tools I used on a daily basis with better quality ones.I too have broken sockets.That was because  I used them incorrectly by having a hand tool socket on an impact wrentch when i WAS IN  hurry.Impact sockets have a black finsih. The pretty ,shiny ones, are for hand use only with a ratchet.
I have also helped friend work on their bikes in their garages and it has been my experience that most bike owners visit harbor freight or craftsman at some point and buy tools.That stuff is crap imo and it is common to either round head off the fasteners or break the tool itself.
If you have a tool that is delivered by a visiting truck and you need it replaced, try this.Go on line and send an e mail of the problem.Let them know where you live.Someone will call you.You can then make arrangements to drop the broken tool off at a mechanic shop and the dealer will trade it out.Then on your way home pick up your new tool.
I have done this before, and everyone is cool about it.
I plan to put a set together soon and will list what you get and how much it will cost.I will not be using tools that i know are inferior and this will not be cheap.
Buy better stuff you can keep for years that will not break you will be money ahead.
BTW hitting tools with hammers etc is not a good idea unless they are flogging wrenches.Most of those start at huge sizes and totally un-necessary to work on a motorcycle with.When working on your bike, take your time, think about what you are doing .
Two nights ago I was with 2 friends and we had a 998 apart in under 1.5 hours, from a complete bike to just a motor sitting on his bench.It was easy to do because we had everything we needed.

[Old-Duckman]

I only read the first page of replies, so many, if not all, of my thoughts may have been covered.

Firstly I agree with the person who said that the average Ducati owner/wrencher does not do enough wrenching to justify a Snap-On price vrs the Craftsman quality/price.

That said though, I'm quite sure that you would sell your product if marketed well. Many MC owners (not just exclusively Ducati owners) would jump at the chance to own a set of quality tools pulled together for their specific brand/model of motorcycle.

Good advertising and proper marketing would go a long way toward success. IMO a well made tool carrier/organizer to hold the tools would be a major plus. Personally I am forever using tools in different places and for various tasks and just can not find the tool I am looking for, for a particular job. A quality case would be an esential part of any bike specific, quality tool kit.

Good Luck, give it a shot...........

[Capo]

. IMO a well made tool carrier/organizer to hold the tools would be a major plus. Personally I am forever using tools in different places and for various tasks and just can not find the tool I am looking for, for a particular job. A quality case would be an esential part of any bike specific, quality tool kit.

Good Luck, give it a shot...........

It is for that reason I use tools from these guys http://www.tengtools.com/default.aspx
They have a modular tray system with molded inserts for all manner of tools, real easy to keep tidy and to know if anything is missing.
I find them to be of good quality and reasonably priced. I'm not sure if you can get them in the USA

[MendoDave]

You could probably offer a couple of grades of tools, besides the special Ducati only tools. Perhaps a good track day Kit or Kit's could be offered as well. but Some of the kits could have the less expensive craftsman tools in them.

Almost all the craftsman tools I have I bought in the mid 80's and the only thing that ever broke was the 1/4 drive ratchet gears. (replaced under warranty) This stuff is just fine. and I'm sure lots of peeps will think so too. Then you could offer an upgrade to Box van tools as well. I have some Snap on & Mac stuff in my kit. I broke a Mac 1/4 drive fine tooth ratchet, sent it in to mac and never heard another thing about it. Ended up buying  a similar, but not identical one from Snap On. I generally only pop for the more specialized tools from Snap on if I cant get it from the store, or if they have something that's the bomb like the $40 ratcheting screwdriver with pre-bent handle I have.

So offer both. I think Craftsman is just as good as the box van stuff for less than half the price, and warranty is easier.

[Jobu]

I am not a snap on dealer or a tool dealer in any way.
I have worked in the industry though as a mechanic for Suzuki.I stared with craftsman tools and found them to be bulky and poorly made.I replaced pretty much all the tools I used on a daily basis with better quality ones.I too have broken sockets.That was because  I used them incorrectly by having a hand tool socket on an impact wrentch when i WAS IN  hurry.Impact sockets have a black finsih. The pretty ,shiny ones, are for hand use only with a ratchet.
I have also helped friend work on their bikes in their garages and it has been my experience that most bike owners visit harbor freight or craftsman at some point and buy tools.That stuff is crap imo and it is common to either round head off the fasteners or break the tool itself.
If you have a tool that is delivered by a visiting truck and you need it replaced, try this.Go on line and send an e mail of the problem.Let them know where you live.Someone will call you.You can then make arrangements to drop the broken tool off at a mechanic shop and the dealer will trade it out.Then on your way home pick up your new tool.
I have done this before, and everyone is cool about it.
I plan to put a set together soon and will list what you get and how much it will cost.I will not be using tools that i know are inferior and this will not be cheap.
Buy better stuff you can keep for years that will not break you will be money ahead.
BTW hitting tools with hammers etc is not a good idea unless they are flogging wrenches.Most of those start at huge sizes and totally un-necessary to work on a motorcycle with.When working on your bike, take your time, think about what you are doing .
Two nights ago I was with 2 friends and we had a 998 apart in under 1.5 hours, from a complete bike to just a motor sitting on his bench.It was easy to do because we had everything we needed.

I completely disassembled my bike, down to bare frame, and put it back together with these crappy Craftsman type tools you speak of.  And I never had a problem and didn't feel the need for a specific set.  As long as your tools are neatly organized, then you should be able to find a 12mm socket that is 1 out 50 just as fast as finding one that is only 1 out of 10.

Craftsman tools might not be great for everyday use, but I have used them a lot and haven't had a single problem out of them.  I've used plenty of Husky tools from Home Depot as well and never had a problem from them.  And Craftsmans has a lifetime warranty.

Comparing Craftsman and Harbor Freight doesn't make sense.  That shit from Harbor Freight is good for travel.  You lose a wrench out of the set, you just throw the set away and get another one.

But if could manage to get the Ducati logo put on these, then they would probably sell.  I think you could sell a turd if it had the Ducati logo on it.

[ducatiz]

  I think you could sell a turd if it had the Ducati logo on it.

what a great idea!!

I've used plenty of Husky tools from Home Depot as well and never had a problem from them.  And Craftsmans has a lifetime warranty.

Some of the Husky stuff is excellent -- I bought a set of Husky wrenches, from 6 mm up to 30mm.  They are slim, polished and grip beautifully and have a lifetime warranty, same as the Craftsman.  Although, I don't know if they still sell this particular set (oops).  I bought them in a pinch when I needed something quick (tool box was in another state) and ended up liking them better than the Mac spanners I have.