motorcycle tool supply

[ducatiz]

Squid,

start small and make a good brand name and keep them high quality.

don't over extend yourself and don't be afraid to use other brand tools in your kits.

i like the idea of a mechanic's kit

- axle tool (made by ducati)
- spark plug tester (one of those in-line light jobs, $2 at harbor freight)
- belt tension tool
- clutch tool (not the motion pro job, get old clutch plates and bolt them together and weld on a rod)
- chain alignment tool (a laser on a magnet)
- maybe a metric kit of all the sockets and hex heads on the bike? (might be cheaper to just buy sets?)

a road kit is a good idea.  but start small and see how it goes.  no one will fault you for making good tools one at a time.

[Popeye the Sailor]

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.

If all you want is positive feedback, how will you address the negatives?

[ducatiz]

If all you want is positive feedback, how will you address the negatives?

i read that as constructive criticism, but i may be wrong.

[squidwood]

Yes, constructive critisism is what is best.

Basically what I wanted to know is there enough of a demand for this .

There is no more to read into it than that.

As far as stands go, I think you are all better off buying a pitbull from your local dealership and taking it home in your car.

Handtools are very unlikely to be damaged in transit and if I ship thru USPS Priority mail , I can send up to 70 lbs in one box for under $10.00 anywhere in the lower 48.Thats a great deal for you guys!!

[ducatiz]

As far as stands go, I think you are all better off buying a pitbull from your local dealership and taking it home in your car.

i have 2 pitbulls and they are great but they are absurdly overbuilt, not that thats a bad thing, but i have seen home-made stands using angle iron and bolts which work great and last long time.

[Capo]

I like this, packs a lot of punch and is easy to carry. But hard to find

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Tool-30101-Drive-Socketstick/dp/B00006IIO2

[Popeye the Sailor]

Yes, constructive critisism is what is best.

Basically what I wanted to know is there enough of a demand for this .

There is no more to read into it than that.

As far as stands go, I think you are all better off buying a pitbull from your local dealership and taking it home in your car.

Handtools are very unlikely to be damaged in transit and if I ship thru USPS Priority mail , I can send up to 70 lbs in one box for under $10.00 anywhere in the lower 48.Thats a great deal for you guys!!

My concern would be what I see as a terribly limited market. I'm assuming as these are Ducati specific tools, they're probably some of the ones that are duc specific. That says to me it would not be for simple mods such as rotating handlebars and removing mirrors.

So, specific tools for the more in depth jobs (fyi, I may be totally misunderstanding this). So-who would need the nifty doohickeys to change a dry clutch or do a valve job? Maybe someone familiar with wrenching, but new to ducs (not terribly uncommon). I would be someone who's mechanically very able with no duc specific tools.

Except I would just run down to my local Sears (Snap-on makes great tools-but I figure doing the warranty thing would suck-ain't no stores nearby (that I know of) and Sears is everywhere), and pick up what I felt I needed. Barring being able to find the right things, I would make them.

That's how I see it, anyways. 

[squidwood]

Ok let me say here again what I was thinking of doing.
I propose to sell common sized metric tools that fit 99% of the metric fasteners on your motorcycle.
The tools would be high quality.
To make it easy you would buy a kit that contains what you need,nothing more nothing less.
You would not need to buy say a set of six hex sockets when you only need 3 sizes.
I would only sell the 3 sizes you need to fit the fasteners on your bike.
I think that some people here have misunderstood my intentions.

[ducatiz]

Ok let me say here again what I was thinking of doing.
I propose to sell common sized metric tools that fit 99% of the metric fasteners on your motorcycle.
The tools would be high quality.
To make it easy you would buy a kit that contains what you need,nothing more nothing less.
You would not need to buy say a set of six hex sockets when you only need 3 sizes.
I would only sell the 3 sizes you need to fit the fasteners on your bike.
I think that some people here have misunderstood my intentions.

so these wouldbe the same things one could get at Autozone, but just the sizes for the Ducati?

honestly, I don't think that would do THAT well since people who wrench tend to like having a full set of tools, and people who would want a set of tools like this aren't wrenchers, if that makes sense.

i know i have 2-3 sets of sockets.. well, maybe four if you count the splined set.  and those hex key sets run about 5-6 bucks for a whole set from Lowes, and i lose them all the time (esp the ones i use on teh bikes.. argh)

[somegirl]

honestly, I don't think that would do THAT well since people who wrench tend to like having a full set of tools, and people who would want a set of tools like this aren't wrenchers, if that makes sense.

I agree.

[Grampa]

got this for my son (who has no tools) at Costco for 90 bucks (and yes I know that this is not going where the thread was intended, I just thought it was a great deal for somebody who happens to be tool-less)

it has a great mix of SAE and metric pieces

[zLoki]

I agree.

I think it depends.

The intention here is not to replace a cheap/good set of tools but to produce a specific set for a specific job (if I've understood correctly).  This is classic niche marketing.  People pay for things that are unique and high quality (like all of us).  It would also make a kick a** gift for your fellow metric bike owner. 

I actually have three sets of tools - home/bicycle, car and bike.  I might not be first in line for this but depending on how it looked/useful, I'd be very interested.

[Capo]

Something like this?

[wbeck257]

I wouldn't buy them.

Crastman doesn't make the best tool in the world -- but they work 95% of the time for me.
And when they goto shit, I can walk to a Sears and get a replcaement that day.

Most the time I take the tool in, grab a new one, hand the cashier my old one, and the deal is done.
Their warrenty is the easiest.

I have a growing set of Snap On's but when one goes to shit, I just can't go replace it any day of the week...

[grandpa nate]

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.

+1 on the Cornwell. 

Make the tools and they will come.