How to... Perform simple maintenance and mods.

[Adamm0621]

I have very little mehcanical knowledge, but I am a fairly quick study.  I can do small repairs around the house, i.e. put together furniture that I've bought, and can perform simple car maintenance (change tires/oil, fluids and fuses).  However, most of the repairs, work that I have experience require little more than a screwdriver, hammer or a drill.  Some of the mods that I want to do, such as put on frame sliders, tail chop, etc... seem to be very simple mods.  I know I can find the required tools for each of the above mentioned mods by looking at applicable threads, but I was wondering if anyone had advice for a starter's tool kit for working on bikes.

I'm in the military so I may not always be stationed within reasonable distance of a Ducati dealership.  To combat this, I figured I would learn how to do mods and the like myself (as much as is feasibly possible).  What would be a decent set of tools (a few hundred dollars) that would allow me to perform basic to intermediate motorcycle maintenance?  Also, any reference material (besides this forum) designed for beginners would be appreciated as well.

Adam.

[Hedgehog]

Hi Adam,

This would probably be a good quality start:

3/8 drive metric socket set
1/4 drive metric socket set
3/8 drive torque wrench
additional larger 3/8 drive sockets as needed
3/8 drive metric allen set
T-handle metric allen set
Set of Screwdrivers both philips and flat-blade
Set of metric combination wrenches
Set of pliers
Digital Volt Meter

I probably use the T-handles the most, in 4, 5, and 6mm sizes, I think.

Sears Craftsman is your friend.  Don't waste money on the expensive shop brands.

[Ducatiloo]

Ducati Suite  Good for basic info with pics.
What Model bike do you have?

[He Man]

For minor work and repair, and on a budget you could get away with...

3/8 Metric socket set
metric allen key up to 10mm.
screw driver set with varying size bits, or just different screw drivers altogether ( i perfer the later)
If you can get your hands on a ebay set, or if you jsut wanna shell the dough out for a good set, a metric wrench set that goes down to 8mm for the bleeding work.

And the classic tools that all Ducati Owners should have

Hammer, Locktite, Plyers for ripping shit of, and credit card.

[Adamm0621]

Ducati Suite  Good for basic info with pics.
What Model bike do you have?

I should be picking up the 696 in a couple of months when I get back stateside.  I'm stuck in South Korea at the moment. 

[mangeldbug]

LT Snyder at www.desmotimes.com sells a very nice maintenance manual for 2V and 4V Ducatis on his site.  Has pretty much everything you would want to know how to do from easy to more advanced.  Organization is a little hard to navigate, but the how-to's are top notch and there are lots of pictures showing what you should be seeing/doing as you go.  He also has a shim kit when it comes time to spec the valves

[Duc Fever]

Where are you at in Korea?  I was stationed in Pusan at camp Hialeah.  If I was there now I would take advantage of the Korean embroidery guys and have some cool custom ducati stuff done. anything that says Ducati bought here is an arm and a leg. Hell get a bunch of cool stuff made and you could make a killing on ebay

[Adamm0621]

I'm at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek.  I've thought about the whole embroidery thing, but I've seen to much shitty craftsmanship to want to buy anything.