Useful tools for bike maintenance?

Used to have a massive tool selection when I was younger, which I gradually sold/gave away as I moved about.

Now I have about even less tools than your average joe that does no DIY.

So, in short, what tools am I going to likely to need to get?

Socket set - any particular sizes I need to ensure I have?
Spanner set - as above

Have a set of decent screw drivers already

Anything else? Or is this enough to start doing my own light/simple maintenance?

[Dave20046]

I'd have 1/4", 3/8" and possibly 1/2" (or breaker bar) Ratchet sets.
And a metric spanner set between the sizes of 7mm and 24mm for wrenching in general.
Allen key socket things (set of) are very useful too.
+ the standard toolkit and a selection of greases and fluids.
Some means of raising the bike (I use a cheap trolley jack)
Consider a torque wrench.
Breaker bar & plusgas.
Junior hacksaw and or dremmel.

You don't say what bike you have though so can't advise on any odd/specialist tools.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

I'd have 1/4", 3/8" and possibly 1/2" (or breaker bar) Ratchet sets.
And a metric spanner set between the sizes of 7mm and 24mm for wrenching in general.
Allen key socket things (set of) are very useful too.
+ the standard toolkit and a selection of greases and fluids.
Some means of raising the bike (I use a cheap trolley jack)
Consider a torque wrench.
Breaker bar & plusgas.
Junior hacksaw and or dremmel.

You don't say what bike you have though so can't advise on any odd/specialist tools.

If the bike toolkit is a space saver like the KTMs I've had I'd rather use a proper socket for things like axle nuts

And get ball ended allen keys, Halfords do a good set

[DarrenSV650S]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

I'd have 1/4", 3/8" and possibly 1/2" (or breaker bar) Ratchet sets.
And a metric spanner set between the sizes of 7mm and 24mm for wrenching in general.
Allen key socket things (set of) are very useful too.
+ the standard toolkit and a selection of greases and fluids.
Some means of raising the bike (I use a cheap trolley jack)
Consider a torque wrench.
Breaker bar & plusgas.
Junior hacksaw and or dremmel.

You don't say what bike you have though so can't advise on any odd/specialist tools.

and cable ties

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

If the bike toolkit is a space saver like the KTMs I've had I'd rather use a proper socket for things like axle nuts

And get ball ended allen keys, Halfords do a good set

I suggested the standard toolkit purely for the sparkplug spanner really (if we're talking sv). I recently found a c-spanner too for suspension/steering tweaking.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by darrensv650s

and cable ties

+100000

Sorry - will be a Curvy SV.

Have 8 million cable ties already from a random bulk purchase many moons ago!

[rictus01]

you'll need a cheap multimeter at some point to, something like this is about £5

Ooh err, shopping list is growing

[embee]

I inherited this Britool 1/4" drive socket set and have to say it is by far the most useful set I have, the fixed driver bits get used all the time. Obviously you need bigger stuff too, but this set covers so much everyday odss and sodds. Well recommended.