Shop Tools For Budgets Big And Small

Outfitting your garage to work on your motorcycle is about as much fun as choosing the right gear. Or even the right bike. There's unending appeal in tools that do exactly what they're designed to do. From eye-openingly opulent to Big Mac Meal cheap, these four tools will earn their place in the garage. Even if you're more poet than mechanic, having the right tools will go a long way in getting the job done. And there's nothing more satisfying than a chest full of tools, a torn-apart carb on the bench, and the feeling of a job well done.

Fork seals leaking? Don't panic. Grab Motion Pro's Sealmate before doing anything else. A thin, flexible tool small enough to fit in your wallet, this dirt-cheap gem can be a lifesaver on the road or in the garage. Simply pop off your motorcycle fork's rubber bootie and dust seal and then slide the tool under the fork seal. Give it a wriggle and a little fork oil will come out along with the offending dirt or bug particle that may be causing the leak.

If you put a lot of miles on your bike and go through tires like hot cakes, purchasing your own tire changer can save you money in the long run. No-Mar's Tire Changer Kit provides everything you need to start spooling on your new rubber. With a little elbow grease—and the help of No-Mar's tire lube—the whole process is pretty quick and easy.

A real-deal air compressor may seem extravagant if you're used to filling your tires at the gas station, but the added functionality makes it a necessity in the motorcyclist's garage. From running air tools to blowing water out of hard-to-reach places after you've washed your bike, you'll use the thing more than you could've anticipated.

Sure, you could buy a torque wrench, but is that what you'd really want to use on your Ducati Superleggera? With the Snap-on's LCD display, users can see real-time torque measurements and it's accurate to +/- 2 percent CW. The wrench's flexible head can get to hard-to-reach areas, giving you peace of mind that you're getting the job done right. It'll be a family heirloom.