JIS Screwdriver Set (3-Piece) for Vintage Honda Motorcycles
3-piece JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) cross-head screwdriver set designed for the JIS fasteners found on vintage Honda motorcycles from the 1960s through the late 1970s. This set covers every cross-head screw on your Honda CT90, CB175, CB200, CB350, CB360, CB450, CB500T, CB550, and CB750 — plus all CL, SL, and CJ variants.
Why JIS Screwdrivers — Not Phillips
Every cross-head screw on your vintage Honda is a JIS fastener, not a Phillips. Although JIS and Phillips cross-head patterns look similar, they have different geometry. Phillips screwdrivers have a larger leading angle at the tip, which prevents them from seating fully in a JIS screw head. The result is partial contact between the driver and the fastener, which leads to cam-out — the driver slips and damages the screw head. Using a proper JIS screwdriver eliminates this problem because the tip profile matches the screw precisely.
What Is in the Set
Specifications
| Size | Shaft Length | Common Uses on Vintage Honda |
|---|
| #1 | 75 mm | Idle mixture screws, instrument panel screws, small cover screws |
| #2 | 100 mm | Engine cover screws, carburetor screws, electrical component fasteners (most common size) |
| #3 | 150 mm | Larger fasteners, side cover screws, heavier assemblies |
The #2 is the size you will reach for most often — it fits the majority of engine cover screws, carburetor top caps, and electrical component fasteners across all vintage Honda twins and fours.
Built for Stubborn Fasteners
These are not lightweight screwdrivers. Each one features a full-shank hex body that accepts an open-end or box wrench for additional turning leverage when a screw will not budge. The hex cap on the end of the grip is designed to be struck with a hammer without cracking the handle, letting you deliver a sharp impact to break a seized screw loose. The tips are lightly magnetized to hold screws in place when working in tight or hard-to-reach areas of the engine.
When to Use JIS Screwdrivers vs. an Impact Driver
JIS screwdrivers are the right tool for routine maintenance and reassembly — carburetor work, electrical covers, points plates, and any screw you can turn by hand or with moderate wrench-assisted torque. For engine case bolts that have been torqued in place for decades and refuse to break loose, an impact driver is a better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Phillips screwdriver work on JIS screws?
It can turn them, but a Phillips driver is more likely to slip and strip the screw head because the tip geometry does not match. Using the correct JIS driver prevents cam-out and protects the fastener.
Which size do I need most?
The #2 JIS screwdriver handles the vast majority of fasteners on vintage Honda motorcycles — engine covers, carburetors, electrical components, and more. Keep the #1 handy for smaller screws like idle mixture screws, and the #3 for larger fasteners.
Do all vintage Hondas use JIS screws?
Yes. All Japanese-manufactured Honda motorcycles from the 1960s and 1970s use JIS cross-head fasteners. This includes every model from the CT90 Trail 90 through the CB750 four-cylinder. Honda Service Bulletin 27 (August 1967) documented the transition of JIS threaded parts standards to conform with ISO standards.
Related Products
If you are looking for a good set of standard screwdrivers, our KT Pro Slotted & Phillips Head Screwdriver Set is a great option. For the most stubborn fasteners, our Universal Impact Driver Tool delivers the sharp rotational force needed to break seized screws loose without stripping them.
Last updated: March 2026
