Tools
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 10,029
Likes: 5,404
From: Manitoba
I rolled up on a couple guys on a back road near home. One of them said his new ("just got it") bike just "shut off", and wouldn't do anything now. I was on my Shovelhead and had all the requisite tools, points, plugs, condenser, bulbs, breakers/fuses, nuts, bolts, wire and tape. None of that would help him. Loaned him my cell phone to call the dealer to come and get him.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I too have the small bags that fit in the bottom of the saddlebags. Good suggestions here..... don't forget the 10mm wrench for the battery. don't need the best, but get good tools. especially the torx and hex bits.
Get a three ring binder and keep track of all your repairs, maintenance, service and accessories you do/add. I have pages set specially for oil changes, brakes and tires. You will appreciate the history down the road. I also have an app called Fuel Buddy that I use to track all my fuel usage. I do not trust the fuel gage..... I know how large my tank is, how many miles I can get on a tank, and what my fuel mileage is around town and on trips.
Good luck on your decisions.
Get a three ring binder and keep track of all your repairs, maintenance, service and accessories you do/add. I have pages set specially for oil changes, brakes and tires. You will appreciate the history down the road. I also have an app called Fuel Buddy that I use to track all my fuel usage. I do not trust the fuel gage..... I know how large my tank is, how many miles I can get on a tank, and what my fuel mileage is around town and on trips.
Good luck on your decisions.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 3,366
From: Idaho Panhandle
I'd first figure out what repairs you might need to do. For instance, a long shank 1/4" Allen wrench if the transmission shift lever behind the primary gets loose. With today's hydraulic clutch and fly by wire, cable repairs are not an issue.
Loose horn, loose pegs? I have a basic tool kit, but I know what I need for the types of field repairs I can do.
For starters, sit on the right side of the motorcycle and fit a wrench, socket, etc to everything you think you might need. Then do the same on the other side, underneath, under the seat.
The only road issue I had to repair since the Twin Cam was developed was the loosening of the shift lever on the tranny in the middle of the scablands. Fortunately, we had the aforementioned 1/4" long shank Allen wrench. All other use of my tools have been to help other bikes. At Sturgis last year, reinstalled a rear taillight bracket that had fallen off on a sporty, downtown Sturgis, in the heat. Had to remove sissy bar, struts, etc.
Of all the tools needed, if you have tubeless tires, by all means bring vice grips, a tire plug kit and a tiny air pump. Roadside repairs, so frequent with my knuckle, so common with my shovel, rare with the EVO, and really not needed since the TC,
So aside from the previous ideas, being able to tighten a loose mirror stem or pegs, or the horn, if you check your fasteners before you leave, a cel phone and credit card make the most sense. I have AAA RV, if you don't, get the HOG. The number of field repairs, wired, duct taped, rescued taped, dismantled the broken and reassembled fixed that you can do is pretty small. This was not true with shovels or sportsters, or even EVO dynas.
But as as I said, I've been real helpful to other older bikes, and sportsters, as well a a few metrics, even a Triumph. My tool kit is minimal and put together as I said at the beginning. Every tool in my bag is specifically fit my bike and addresses the things I can really do on the road, in the dark and rain. If it happens to fit yours when I stop, then you are a lucky rider.
Loose horn, loose pegs? I have a basic tool kit, but I know what I need for the types of field repairs I can do.
For starters, sit on the right side of the motorcycle and fit a wrench, socket, etc to everything you think you might need. Then do the same on the other side, underneath, under the seat.
The only road issue I had to repair since the Twin Cam was developed was the loosening of the shift lever on the tranny in the middle of the scablands. Fortunately, we had the aforementioned 1/4" long shank Allen wrench. All other use of my tools have been to help other bikes. At Sturgis last year, reinstalled a rear taillight bracket that had fallen off on a sporty, downtown Sturgis, in the heat. Had to remove sissy bar, struts, etc.
Of all the tools needed, if you have tubeless tires, by all means bring vice grips, a tire plug kit and a tiny air pump. Roadside repairs, so frequent with my knuckle, so common with my shovel, rare with the EVO, and really not needed since the TC,
So aside from the previous ideas, being able to tighten a loose mirror stem or pegs, or the horn, if you check your fasteners before you leave, a cel phone and credit card make the most sense. I have AAA RV, if you don't, get the HOG. The number of field repairs, wired, duct taped, rescued taped, dismantled the broken and reassembled fixed that you can do is pretty small. This was not true with shovels or sportsters, or even EVO dynas.
But as as I said, I've been real helpful to other older bikes, and sportsters, as well a a few metrics, even a Triumph. My tool kit is minimal and put together as I said at the beginning. Every tool in my bag is specifically fit my bike and addresses the things I can really do on the road, in the dark and rain. If it happens to fit yours when I stop, then you are a lucky rider.
Funny that the only times I've used my tools and tire plugs on the road was for other riders that I came across that needed help.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 713
Likes: 203
From: The Nature Coast, FL
I too was one of the "fix it on the side of the road" guys. I carried plugs, points, tape, wire, and plenty enough tools to remove a starter, clean the brushes and re-install it
I built a tool kit from excess tools that I had in my box and added the allens, torx bits etc one could need. HF sells a cheap tool roll by the way. It sits in the bottom of my saddlebag
I also carry AAA and a cell phone now
I built a tool kit from excess tools that I had in my box and added the allens, torx bits etc one could need. HF sells a cheap tool roll by the way. It sits in the bottom of my saddlebag
I also carry AAA and a cell phone now
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,300
Likes: 6,325
From: Honah Lee
If you do not know what you need, probably best thing would be a cell phone and a good looking squeeze on the back.
There where four of us together. Front rider decided to make an unplanned stop off a 4 lane divided highway.
The last bike was my son's 10 girlfriend at the time. She misses the turn and pulled off about 200 feet up the road.
I am standing out at road watching her and within 5 minutes, there were 4 total strangers on bikes off to the side with her.
If you have a modern FI TC or later that is maintained, I doubt you are going to need any tools.
There where four of us together. Front rider decided to make an unplanned stop off a 4 lane divided highway.
The last bike was my son's 10 girlfriend at the time. She misses the turn and pulled off about 200 feet up the road.
I am standing out at road watching her and within 5 minutes, there were 4 total strangers on bikes off to the side with her.
If you have a modern FI TC or later that is maintained, I doubt you are going to need any tools.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Dec 22, 2018 at 07:32 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 3,518
From: PA
Nope and your thinking is wrong...I have a full Snap-on/ Mac set in my Garage...I was a class A Master Tech fro 20 years......but I also know what is worth the money and what isn't...and a tool set to keep on the bike in today's world for over $300 is nuts...if you want to waste your money go right ahead....today's bikes you aren't fixing most things on the side of the road...
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 951
From: Redneck Riviera
https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...e-folding-tool
Last edited by fxdup; Dec 26, 2018 at 05:33 AM.