Hand tools

The Right Motorcycle Tools for
the Job with 24MX Hand Tools

A well-equipped workshop is necessary if you want to maintain and repair a dirt bike. 24MX's comprehensive range of motocross tools has all the hand tools you need to create a well-equipped workshop capable of tackling all jobs. Power tools have their place in the garage. A hand tool, though, puts you in direct contact with the component on which you are working. As a result, you can dictate the force and speed you apply. Yet, the more you use motorbike tools, the faster your mechanical aptitude improves. There are around 500 motocross tools in the 24MX lineup. So here we'll divide them into categories to make choosing easy.

Hand tool sets

Most people begin by gathering a basic tool kit. Although it is possible to build your MX tool collection one piece at a time, buying a set of tools makes sense. When you choose 24MX, you will find a quality tool set to enhance your workshop, whatever your budget. Spanner sets and socket sets are the go-to motorbike tools. They eliminate the arduous repetition of loosening and tightening fasteners. A good socket set will be metric, imperial or a combination of both. One of the best things about a socket set is how easy it is to increase its usefulness. Over time, you can add individual oversized sockets for the steering head and axle nuts. Follow this with a set of Allen, screwdriver or Torx sockets, and you'll have an extended hand tool set to tackle most motorcycle jobs.

Gripping tools

This category covers every hand tool that uses a scissor-type movement and extended levers to exert added pressure on a component. The most common types of gripping tools are pliers or adjustable locking grips. Yet, you will need more than one specialist gripping tool for certain tasks. For instance, a snap ring or circlip holds some motocross bike components in place. In this case, angled snap ring/circlip pliers are the safest and easiest way to remove or replace this type of fastener.

Automatic pliers or lock-wire pliers are another specialist gripping tool for handling specific jobs. For example, some racing organisations specify that a locking wire must secure certain nuts and bolts on a competition bike. In these circumstances, the fastener tightens in place and a locking wire threads through a hole in the nut or bolt. Automatic or lock-wire pliers then grip the ends of the wire and twist uniformly to prevent the fastener from working loose through vibration.

Specialist hand tools

The motorbike tools in this category are all guaranteed to make life easier, whether you're carrying out maintenance in the garage or a repair in the pits. An oil filter socket or strap wrench makes short work of an oil change. Meanwhile, a C spanner is often the only way to adjust rear shock absorbers. The same goes for the oversized nuts on steering heads and recessed engine fasteners. They all require specialist spanners. Among the list of specialist motocross tools are screw extractors and thread-cutting tools. These are indispensable for dealing with stripped or stuck fasteners.

Useful tools

Even the most experienced mechanic with a comprehensive range of tools will, from time to time, come across a challenging situation. If you've ever dropped a nut, bolt or washer inside an engine case, you'll know that trying to retrieve it is a nightmare. When this happens, 24MX comes to the rescue with a range of useful hand tools. A small magnet fitted to a long flexible shaft will retrieve a fastener from the smallest gap. Meanwhile, if the fastener is non-ferrous or plastic, a flexible picking tool with its retractable grabbing claw is a simple solution. Whatever mechanical task you're undertaking, whether in the garage or the pits, 24MX has the ideal hand tool to make light work of any job.

24MX T-Handles and Y-Handles:
Versatile Toolkit Additions

T-handle and Y-handle tools are fantastic additions to your motorcycle tool kit or workshop. Whichever format you choose, 24MX has the tools you need at the best prices.

Why do tools have a T-handle or Y-handle?

T and Y-handle tools feature a handle shaped in their namesake letter. This type of tool allows for better handling and ergonomics. Mechanics find that a T-handle is best for leverage while a Y-handle offers multiple heads.

There are many reasons for a tool to feature a T-handle. These include leverage, faster handling and ergonomics. If we compare a T-handle Allen wrench to an L-shape wrench, using the long side of the L makes it possible to excerpt too much leverage on the bolt and potential over-tightening.

In contrast, the T-handle tool offers balanced leverage. The shorter handles of the T make it less likely to apply too much force. As for faster handling, once the bolt or screw is loosened, it is easy to spin a T-handle screwdriver to release or tighten the bolt fully. This feature is handy for long threaded or recessed bolts or rushing to get your bike back on the dirt. Most T-handle tools are also ergonomically shaped to fit comfortably in hand.

The Y-handle tool also offers good leverage. Yet due to its configuration, it can offer three separate and different-sized fixed heads. The three heads are often a combination of the crosshead and flat-blade screwdrivers or a selection of three sizes of Torx or Allen wrench.

What makes a T-handle tool so useful?

The T-handle key set is an integral part of any tool kit. T-handle key sets usually come with a holder. A holder makes them easier to organise due to the sizes marked on the side. In addition, the holder often has holes to allow for wall fixing.

T-handle wrenches are also available with attachments for metric or imperial sockets, hex heads, Torx, and screwdriver sockets. With all these features and the availability of kits and sets, the T-handle tool is better for the workshop or pit lane toolbox.

What makes a Y-handle tool so useful?

This convenient 3-1 tool is an excellent addition to your workshop; they're tough, easy to use and practical. The 3-way or Y-handle tool is also invaluable as part of your on-bike tool kit.

Whether you're an enduro racer or enjoy off-roading in remote locations, every part of a motorcycle tool kit has to earn its place. The 3-way makes an ideal off-road tool. It offers three alternative hex sizes, Torx or screwdriver heads in one compact package. The 3-in-1 layout also makes the tool easier to locate in low light levels in the field instead of scrabbling about in the dirt for three different tools. The Y configuration has excellent leverage for undoing stubborn fasteners or tightening them enough to get you home.

Features to look for in T and Y-handle tools

The leverage offered by a long T-handle tool places more strain on the shaft, so ensure it's high-grade steel such as chrome vanadium. Another great feature available in a T-handle is the ball end. This tool is only available in hex head format and allows the hex head to screw at almost any angle. This design makes it ideal for hard-to-reach Allen bolts such as carburettor manifolds.

The best way to choose the layout of your 3-way Y-handle tool is by checking the fasteners on your bike. Then, find the most common sizes of Torx fastener, crosshead/screwdriver or Allen key, and the Y-handle tool takes the place of a short set of wrenches or screwdrivers.

Whether you want a T or Y-handle tool, 24MX's extensive range of high-quality and keenly priced equipment is an invaluable tool kit addition.