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Specialty Tools for Building Choppers

By Tyler Powers

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Published: 17May2007
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If you are building a chopper, you'll want to have the right tools on hand to get the job done right. There are some specialty tools you'll find make the build a whole lot easier. Below are some of the specialty motorcycle tools you'll want to have in your tool chest.

Chain Breaker: The master link on a motorcycle chain is installed with the intention of it being sturdy and not releasing at the wrong time. This means that breaking the chain's master link loose to remove the chain or adjust the length can be quite difficult. However, a chain breaker meant just for this purpose is not expensive and is well worth every dime you'll invest in purchasing a good one.

Chain Press Tool: Of course, one your break the chain, you'll want to re-install that chain or a new one onto the bike later. The chain press is a handy tool to make this simple and easy and avoid the "banging hammer, black and blue thumb" method.

Clutch Holding Tool and Clutch Spring Compression Tool : This pair of tools are especially handy. You will at times need to work on your bike with the clutch compressed when there isn't anyone around to hold the clutch for you. With the clutch holding tool, it isn't any problem to have the clutch held in a compressed position for you. The clutch spring compression tool is a must-have for working on your clutch. You can obtain the pair for under $100 if you shop around.

Handle Bar and Subframe Straightener: You are going to have times you need to straighten a bend in your chopper frame or handle bars. Get the job done right with a straightener tool which you can find at a reasonable price. Because this tool will have to withstand a lot of pressure, be sure to buy a quality tool with a good guarantee.

Hydraulic Brake Bleeder: If you like to work alone when doing a chopper build, you may not have someone around when you need to bleed the brake lines of any trapped air. For under $50, you can add a hydraulic brake bleeder to your tool kit and do the job alone quite easily.

Compression Tester: Engine rebuilds or troubleshooting will be easier when you have a quality compression tester on hand. A good quality compression tester for your chopper will cost $100 or more, but you'll use it for many, many years, making it a sound investment.

Flywheel Puller: This inexpensive tool is a must-have for working on choppers. You can pull flywheels with ease and without harming the part by using the right tool for the job.

Crank Case Splitter: Getting into the crank case can be impossible unless you use a crank case splitter. This won't be the least expensive tool in your collection but it will make an engine rebuild much easier, so invest in a quality crank case splitter for your chopper builds.

Fork Tools: To work efficiently on your custom chopper forks, you'll want several tools. First, a fork oil gage level is a must-have so you can check the oil levels in your forks. Fork seal drivers will make installing new fork seals much easier.

Carb Sync Gage Set: If you run a chopper with more than one carb, you'll want a sync gage set so you can tune all the carbs to perfection.

Jet Wrench: A jet wrench for adjusting your carb jets is another great addition to your took chest.

Valve Shim Adjustment Tool: Valve shim adjustment is a tedious task to say the least. With the right tool, it can be done without nearly as much frustration. The cost is low and the added efficiency is priceless.

Spoke Wrench: If you use spoked wheels, you'll want to have a spoke wrench in your tool box to adjust the spokes.

Wheel Truing Stand: To adjust the spokes so that your wheel turns perfectly requires a stand in which you can mount the tire and allow it to spin freely. A wheel truing stand will run you $100 or more but it's an investment in a quality tool that you'll use for decades to come.

Tyler Powers is a contributing author and webmaster for Custom Choppers Guide. You will find specialty articles on chopper building, custom motorcycle painting, and a free mini course on motorcycle building mistakes.

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