Buying half-decent motorbike tools

[darkian]

I sometimes get the feeling that in Asia I could go into a shop visibly full to the brim with bathroom taps, and I'd ask to buy a bathroom tap and show a sketch of something which could be nothing other than a bathroom tap, and I'd be given a weak smile and told "Ooh sorry no have!"

I'm trying to find a few tools, mainly a spark plug spanner, and even in bike workshops piled high with spanners and bits of engine, nobody has an old plug spanner for me. I'd happily pay $10 for one.

Is there any particular area of Bangkok that would be best for finding this kind of thing? I remember down in Chinatown seeing tons of vehicles breakers etc.

Also would be nice to buy a good quality socket spanner set - but none of your Big C rubbish. Again, not sure where to start with this! Any ideas appreciated!

[khunjamesjohnson]

True Value Hardware might have something.

[wantan]

Dont know where to get a plug spanner. But all new bikes should have one in their toolset. And there are different sizes of course. You have to ask around i guess.

For tools:

Veerasiamhardware has top quality, but not cheap of course:

http://www.veerasiamhardware.com/VeeraSiamHardware/tabid/94/Default.aspx

Hardwarehouse has a good selection of lower priced tools:

http://hardwarehouse.co.th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111&Itemid=94

Edited September 19, 2014 by wantan

[Munsterman]

Get mates to bring good quality stuff when they visit. Even when you find hand tools you want in Thailand, they are often low Chinese quality. Electrical stuff is the same everywhere.

[darkian]

Thanks for the suggestions. Veerasiam had everything I needed, and like when I went to Panda, I walked out with far less money in my pocket than when I went in. Bike and tool shops, dangerous...

That said, a deep plug socket and bar can be had there for 300 baht the pair, really good quality. I decided to buy that plus a complete socket set and a few other bits. I'm happy to pay for quality tools because I know the difference - as a kid working on bikes my dad always had good solid English hardware, and so I just can't stand the horrible Big C type rubbish.

[BKKBike09]

There's a big general tool / hardware shop up near the Klong Tan side of Sukhumvit 71 (Phrakhanong). As you go up S 71 from Sukhumvit it's on the LHS about 50 metres before the bridge over the klong. Dunno about a plug spanner but they've got a good selection of other tools. I bought some decent chromed 8,10,12,14 and 17 T spanners (around THB 250-300 baht each I think).

[darkian]

That's the place I mentioned, Veerasiam, really good too.

[DLock]

I ordered a decent set of CRUZ tools that I carry when I ride, from EBay. CRUZ has basic sets to fairly complete kits. Reasonable quality.

Wasn't that expensive, but shipping wasn't cheap.

But I do like to have a kit with everything held firmly in place and as compact as can be.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=motorcycle+toolkit&_from=R40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xmotorcycle+toolkit+CRUZ&_nkw=motorcycle+toolkit+CRUZ&_sacat=0

[BSJ]

'I sometimes get the feeling that in Asia I could go into a shop visibly full to the brim with bathroom taps, and I'd ask to buy a bathroom tap and show a sketch of something which could be nothing other than a bathroom tap, and I'd be given a weak smile and told "Ooh sorry no have!" ' Made me laugh! Although I usually take the old part or a picture of the item I've downloaded from the net.

Pattaya is hopeless when it comes to good engineering or hardware shops! And True Value is usually way to expensive.

[bramds]

Thai Watsadu also has decent material.

[BBJ]

I'm in need of a torque wrench if anyone has a suggestion where to buy other than ebay.