Gear for the job
You don't need a shop full of tools. You need the right handful. Most of this pays for itself the first time you skip a shop's mounting fee, and that's if you can even find a shop willing to do it. Anything marked I bought this came out of my own Amazon order history and lives in my garage.
Changing the tire
BeadBuster XB-455 bead breaker
Pushes the bead off the rim without a hammer or a car bumper. Made for motorcycle, ATV and mower tires, so it fits the wheel sizes we deal with.
Motion Pro Rim Shield II
Clips over the rim edge so the spoons don't gouge your wheel. Cheap, and it saves a lot of touch-up paint.
Tire spoons
Get at least three. Longer spoons are easier on your hands and give you more leverage on a stiff bead.
Tire mounting lube
Makes the bead slide on and seat. Dish soap can leave the bead slippery for days.
Valve core tool and new valve stems
Pull the core to deflate fast and to seat the bead. New stems are cheap insurance.
Ratchet strap
Cinched around the tread, it pushes stubborn beads out toward the rim before you add air.
Heat gun
Handy for more than shrink tubing. Gold Wing riders report using one to ease inner fender plastic that rubs a wider car tire.
Balancing and pressure
Counteract balancing beads, 10 oz
They go inside the tire and settle where they're needed as the wheel spins. No balancer stand and no stick-on weights.
Digital tire gauge
Pressure matters more on a car tire setup than you'd think. Check it often, especially the first few weeks.
Static wheel balancer
The other way to balance. Spin the wheel on its axle and let gravity show you the heavy spot.
Getting the wheel off and back on
Clymer manual, Gold Wing GL1800 (2001 to 2010)
Every torque spec, every bolt, in order. If you're pulling the rear wheel on a Wing, you want this open on the bench.
BLACKROBOT Torx bit socket set, T6 to T60
On my Gold Wing, the front brake calipers come off with Torx bolts, and the calipers have to come off before the front wheel will. This set covers 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drives.
Milwaukee M12 3/8 inch cordless ratchet
Pure convenience. I paired it with the Torx bits to spin the caliper bolts out and back in without cranking a hand ratchet in a tight spot. Break them loose and do the final torque by hand.
Torque wrench
For the axle, pinch bolts and caliper bolts. Guessing isn't a plan.
Around the garage
Barrina 4 ft LED shop lights, 6 pack
You can't check a bead line you can't see. These link together off one outlet.
Performance Tool swivel shop stool
Wheel work happens at knee height. Your back will thank you.
Grease Monkey nitrile gloves, 100 pack
Tire lube, brake dust and old grease. Keep a box on the bench.
LockNLube grease gun coupler
Locks onto a zerk fitting so grease goes in the joint instead of on your hands.
Battery and charging
NOCO Genius1 battery maintainer
Small and simple. Clip it on for the winter and forget it.
NOCO GC009 X-Connect SAE adapter
Leave an SAE pigtail on the bike and the charger snaps on in seconds.
10 AWG SAE extension cable, 3 ft
Gets the charger lead out from under the seat or a side cover.
Mighty Max YTX20L-BS AGM battery
A budget replacement battery in a common big-bike size. Check your manual for the size your bike takes.
Hauling and on the bike
FACHNUO 10 ft folding motorcycle ramp
Rated to 1,500 lbs. A 10 foot ramp keeps the angle gentle, which matters with a bike as heavy as a Wing.
E-Track tie-down rail kit
Bolt it into a trailer or truck bed and you've got solid anchor points for straps.
Vemote motorcycle USB charger
Waterproof dual USB on the handlebars, with an SAE quick disconnect.
RAM Mounts handlebar ball base
The base half of a phone or GPS mount. Pairs with any 1 inch ball arm.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links go to Amazon search results, so check the fit and reviews on the product you pick.