I fail at wrenches

[blacksmith]

So I want to take off my stock lightning mirrors 'cuz I have oberon bar-ends on the way so... I rode up to the hardware store, bought this decent set of craftsman wrenches... of course the biggest one in the set (17 mm) isn't big enough to remove the mirrors. Sigh. Then I rode home with a bunch of useless wrenches underneath my shirt because I don't have a tank bag yet. ;o) Anybody know off hand what size it is and if I will actually need two wrenches in order to get them off?

 

[Macbuell]

cant you just grab the rabbit ears and twist/turn them off? It has been a while since I have taken mine off, but I am pretty sure it is that easy...

 

[christianmb]

That's how I did it. For the complicated ones...a good adjustable works wonders

 

[Mark XB12r]

17mm not big enough???? I think your trying to twist the wrong part... shouldnt be any bigger than a 12mm-14mm. remember, one should be lefthand thred

 

[anrkizm95]

my 09 was a 13/16 for the top and 3/4 for the bottom.

 

[blacksmith]

Rabbit ears... hahah, I'll go give it another shot... worst case I'll just buy an adjustable... maybe should have just done that in the first place.

 

[netty2424]

Can't have too many tools! Might as well keep them! You keep that Buell long enough, you're bound to have a need for them at some point in time whether it be a repair or a mod you're working on....that is if you enjoy working on it yourself.

I didn't have many tools before I owned this bike and each time I start a project and need a different tool, I just add it to the collection. I've got a pretty decent set at this point [up]

 

[Junkbone]

Can't have too many tools! Might as well keep them! You keep that Buell long enough, you're bound to have a need for them

This is what I was thinking. he may also need to pick up some allen and star wrenches. I know you'll need em for your bike and probably to install the bar ends too.

 

[blacksmith]

Yup. My plan was to buy the tools as I need them. I bought a torq set when I had to take the chin fairing off and I bought this wrench set when I wanted to take the rabbit ears off... I went and checked... definitely not coming off... what will I need to do to put the bar ends on? pull off what is on there now? Do they just come off? They seem like little plastic things with hooks for the stock hand guards...

 

[user_deleted]

14mm/9-16th inch for stock mouse ears.

 

[blacksmith]

Success! I had to end up using two adjustable wrenches to get them off.

 

[blacksmith]

Now I just have to figure out what the hell to do with those two posts...

 

[snrusnak]

The plastic caps on the bar ends are just pushed in, friction fit. You will have to use pliers or something similar to squeeze and twist and remove them. They will get destroyed most likely.

The new bar end mirrors most likely will use an allen bolt head.

 

[blacksmith]

Cool, thanks snrusnak. Bought some allen wrenches today and now have an excuse to go buy some pliers.

 

[snrusnak]

No problem. I started buying tools as I could in high school, always bought good quality. Didn't necessarily buy the most expensive, but I bought stuff that had lifetime warranties(craftsman, snap on, kobalt, pittsburgh, etc.) and stuff that was durable enough for the job I was using it for. Make sure to keep receipts too! Put them in a folder and put it in your toolbox or nightstand or something. And remember that new receipts fade so make a photocopy of them and keep it with the original.

I'm now 25(IIRC lol) and I probably have more tools than most 70 year olds, and good quality tools. The only tools I really lack(as far as auto mechanics anyway) is specialty stuff for putting internals of engines together, and metal working tools. Just start buying them as you need them and don't buy junk as it'll just be a waste after a few uses. It sometimes sucks buying tools because they are expensive, but you will save a lot of money in the long run as long as you do work yourself. Also, buy sets not individual items, it's much cheaper that way. For example: $7 for 1 screwdriver, or $20 for a set of 15 screwdrivers....

All my tools take up most of my two car garage. I remember going on vacation one time and my wife was worried about locking the house up, and I was worried about securing the garage lol. Seriously though, I probably have way more money sitting in my garage than in my house(other than the house itself obviously). But if someone wiped out the contents of my garage I'd probably be out like $10k between all my tools.

 

[snrusnak]

Oh and if you ever need to buy another set of wrenches I highly recommend buying ratchet wrenches. That's something I really wish I had but I bought my wrenches before I knew of them(or maybe they weren't "invented" yet?). I can't currently justify spending hundreds of dollars on a set when I have a regular set that does the same thing basically....I wish I was a billionaire, I'd have a fun weekend at sears lol.

 

[Macbuell]

Your post in the yellow circle should not be there...it should be a hole right there if you removed the correct part. THat thing looks dangerous.

Just so happens I had a perfect picture to show you. Was meant to show my chopped and coated levers...

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

some peoples kids...

 

[blacksmith]

Thanks for the tool tips snrusnak - I'm doing pretty much what you suggested. Buying craftsman stuff as I need it. Since they have a lifetime warranty I figure it's worth the extra cash.

That post in yellow is just what was there after unscrewing the mirror... I'm assuming that thing probably comes out too but I haven't tried to remove it yet.

@SETH: I don't get it...

 

[snrusnak]

blacksmith, FYI there is another brand sold by sears called craftsman "evolve" or something like that. It is not made in the USA it is chinese I believe, and isn't quite as good of tools, but I will admit I have bought a few things of that brand. Still are good tools just not as good as regular craftsman. Also still has a lifetime warranty but you MUST have the receipt. They are like half the cost, I hate not buying the made in USA stuff but sometimes it's just too much $$$ at the time.