Stoooooop! Special Tools for Brakes

You can service and disassemble mechanical brakes without needing a lot of special tools. Just for the big lug bolts one finds on 1936-1972 Big Twins and on the rear of 1937 and up WL-models a socket key with crossbar is quity handy. The socket size is 7/16” and of course one could use an L-shaped wrench and fit a tube as a handle to it. A hex socket won't fit at all as the complete tool must fit through rather narrow orifices in the hub.

He who rivets brake lining to the shoes will need a set of riveting tools and — experience.

Hydraulic brakes will require a few tools to bleed the brake system after a brake fluid exchange. A clean glass jar and a piece of clean clear tubing will do, anyway you'll be better off with a bleeder pump. Experienced mechanics change the fluid and bleed the brake in just a single go with one of these pumps. Note: bleeder screws will only slightly be tightened. The fine threads in the brake calipers are not that heavy duty stuff and you can easily rip them. Bleeder screws seal via the cones. Damaged cones won't seal even if you torque the screw down like mad.