Emergency Tools
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Northern CA
I don't wrench on my bike beyond oil changes and installing accessories. But I carry a good set of tools, many of which were recommended on a similar thread. I have stopped and helped people who knew what to do, but don't carry tools on their non bagger.
I am not mechanically incompetent and actually can figure out how to do repairs, especially with advice from others. So just because I prefer to have maintenance or repairs done by an experienced mechanic, doesn't mean I can't repair broken things myself. If a seat bolt falls out, or a Jiffy Spring breaks I can repair them myself. Yes, I probably can't make major repairs, like he men like Jonesee.
I am not mechanically incompetent and actually can figure out how to do repairs, especially with advice from others. So just because I prefer to have maintenance or repairs done by an experienced mechanic, doesn't mean I can't repair broken things myself. If a seat bolt falls out, or a Jiffy Spring breaks I can repair them myself. Yes, I probably can't make major repairs, like he men like Jonesee.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
I was looking to see if there is a tool kit out there that you can buy and bring it with you. Like the one FXD2003Rider showed. You probably never seen an emergency tool kit that came with some Japanese or Italian bikes. They are pack neat and they don't look like the one in my tool box but they do function very well.
Yes I know what they look like and I have used them many times over the years.
I have worked on motorcycles for years (decades) and know that anyone who has really worked on bikes doesn't need to ask a forum what to take.
I also know what it is like to work on a bike in the dirt 1800 miles from home.
Please go buy yourself a little toolkit and I'm sure you will feel better on those long lonely trips down the interstate.
I posted what is recommended on the Iron Butt website by an endurance rider. You have a lot of advice, you need to figure out what you need to take.
Bottom line:
Take what you know how to use to work on your bike on the shoulder of highway, motel parking lot, or outside your tent. No one knows that answer but you.
And to Ron75:
None of this makes me a he-man, which I think you meant as an insult. It means I have ridden motorcycles and worked on them whenever I had to keep them running at home or on the road.
I gave a totally honest answer to a legitimate question. If keeping my bike running in new condition makes me a he-man, I own the insult.
And I will continue to stop and help every single biker on the road. The last guy was riding a vintage Goldwing.
Last edited by Jonesee; Nov 23, 2013 at 11:43 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,796
Likes: 38,547
From: Post Falls, ID
I carry a set of jumper cables I made out of heave gauge lamp cord wire. Like the kind of wire used on a space heater, or griddle. Black and red clips attached to both ends, nice, small and easy to pack.
Last edited by upflying; Nov 23, 2013 at 03:00 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 27
From: Australia
Hi,
I know here in Aus where we just dont have the harley dealers like in the US, if going away for ride:
i keep the exhaust studs( exhaust bolts to motor), front and rear axle sockets, allen key for axle covers, fork covers, some torx bits and allen bits
Most mechanic shops whether car or bike, roadside assistance have the basic tools but not any of the abnormal ones required on harley
Also check fasteners and bike regularly
Thanks
Mirrmu
I know here in Aus where we just dont have the harley dealers like in the US, if going away for ride:
i keep the exhaust studs( exhaust bolts to motor), front and rear axle sockets, allen key for axle covers, fork covers, some torx bits and allen bits
Most mechanic shops whether car or bike, roadside assistance have the basic tools but not any of the abnormal ones required on harley
Also check fasteners and bike regularly
Thanks
Mirrmu
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: USA
CRUZtools makes kits for Harleys.
http://www.cruztools.com/products/kitshd.html
I bought the roadtech teardrop kit very similar to the one posted above. $100 peace of mind. Could you do it cheaper? Sure. These kits are just an easy solution.
Nothing is worse than breaking down due to a simple problem that could be fixed easily if you had a few tools.
btw, AAA won't tow a motorcycle. At least around here. I added road service onto my insurance for a few bucks a year. More peace of mind.
http://www.cruztools.com/products/kitshd.html
I bought the roadtech teardrop kit very similar to the one posted above. $100 peace of mind. Could you do it cheaper? Sure. These kits are just an easy solution.
Nothing is worse than breaking down due to a simple problem that could be fixed easily if you had a few tools.
btw, AAA won't tow a motorcycle. At least around here. I added road service onto my insurance for a few bucks a year. More peace of mind.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Northern CA
You assume too much. I rode German and Japanese for decades prior to Harley. I still have the toolkit out of my 1976 Suzuki 125 enduro I totaled.
Yes I know what they look like and I have used them many times over the years.
I have worked on motorcycles for years (decades) and know that anyone who has really worked on bikes doesn't need to ask a forum what to take.
I also know what it is like to work on a bike in the dirt 1800 miles from home.
Please go buy yourself a little toolkit and I'm sure you will feel better on those long lonely trips down the interstate.
I posted what is recommended on the Iron Butt website by an endurance rider. You have a lot of advice, you need to figure out what you need to take.
Bottom line:
Take what you know how to use to work on your bike on the shoulder of highway, motel parking lot, or outside your tent. No one knows that answer but you.
And to Ron75:
None of this makes me a he-man, which I think you meant as an insult. It means I have ridden motorcycles and worked on them whenever I had to keep them running at home or on the road.
I gave a totally honest answer to a legitimate question. If keeping my bike running in new condition makes me a he-man, I own the insult.
And I will continue to stop and help every single biker on the road. The last guy was riding a vintage Goldwing.
Yes I know what they look like and I have used them many times over the years.
I have worked on motorcycles for years (decades) and know that anyone who has really worked on bikes doesn't need to ask a forum what to take.
I also know what it is like to work on a bike in the dirt 1800 miles from home.
Please go buy yourself a little toolkit and I'm sure you will feel better on those long lonely trips down the interstate.
I posted what is recommended on the Iron Butt website by an endurance rider. You have a lot of advice, you need to figure out what you need to take.
Bottom line:
Take what you know how to use to work on your bike on the shoulder of highway, motel parking lot, or outside your tent. No one knows that answer but you.
And to Ron75:
None of this makes me a he-man, which I think you meant as an insult. It means I have ridden motorcycles and worked on them whenever I had to keep them running at home or on the road.
I gave a totally honest answer to a legitimate question. If keeping my bike running in new condition makes me a he-man, I own the insult.
And I will continue to stop and help every single biker on the road. The last guy was riding a vintage Goldwing.
Last edited by ExDucRider; Nov 23, 2013 at 07:50 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Nicktown, Pa
i have a windzone tool kit that i carry in my fork bag. mine is the hd version and seems to be a nice selection of needed tools to get you out of a pinch. i also threw in a metric allen wrench set for the metric bikes. when i rode metric bikes, i have stopped to help out a lot of harleys, so i figured that i needed a good tool kit. now that i have a harley, it seems that im always helping someone on a metric bike, go figure.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 275
Likes: 3
From: MD suburb of our Nation's Capital
I appreciate this thread because, as a new rider and moderately able mechanic, I've learned a lot about what to carry with me when I eventually venture out on the open road.
Cheers.
Cheers.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
CRUZtools makes kits for Harleys.
http://www.cruztools.com/products/kitshd.html
I bought the roadtech teardrop kit very similar to the one posted above. $100 peace of mind. Could you do it cheaper? Sure. These kits are just an easy solution.
Nothing is worse than breaking down due to a simple problem that could be fixed easily if you had a few tools.
btw, AAA won't tow a motorcycle. At least around here. I added road service onto my insurance for a few bucks a year. More peace of mind.
http://www.cruztools.com/products/kitshd.html
I bought the roadtech teardrop kit very similar to the one posted above. $100 peace of mind. Could you do it cheaper? Sure. These kits are just an easy solution.
Nothing is worse than breaking down due to a simple problem that could be fixed easily if you had a few tools.
btw, AAA won't tow a motorcycle. At least around here. I added road service onto my insurance for a few bucks a year. More peace of mind.