Toolkit
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 3
Toolkit
I've always laughed at the idea of carrying a toolkit. I figure I'm going to need parts, perhaps my manuals and I'm not going to feel like f'ing with it along side the road. I rode to Brooklyn and back this week on the bike. 1700 miles averaging about 30 mph on back roads in five days with one day to rest in the middle.
I'm running down the road and the right mirror is loose. I stop to tighten it up and see it's also holding my turn signal on. Coming back my left mirror is loose. I tighten it up. I make it to the TN line coming back and someone tells me my taillight is out. Damn, I have a bulb, but no screw driver.
I run hazards for four exits before I find somewhere with a screw driver to sell me. I remove the taillight, wrong bulb and not a common bulb. The bulb is fine though, the taillight is full of water. The contacts are all wet. No dielectric grease. I don't really feel like f'ing with the wiring in the dark at a gas station either though. So I run hazzards the last 100 miles home.
So, sort of mixed results. Fixed two out of three. Actually there was a fourth, the IAC port is getting clogged up, but only noticable while idling. I don't have any carb cleaner either. With a group it might be practical to carry everything you might need, but travelling light and alone it's really rather a joke. I have a toolbag full of tools and a saddlebag half full. I would like to carry a few other things than tools, like cloths.
I'm running down the road and the right mirror is loose. I stop to tighten it up and see it's also holding my turn signal on. Coming back my left mirror is loose. I tighten it up. I make it to the TN line coming back and someone tells me my taillight is out. Damn, I have a bulb, but no screw driver.
I run hazards for four exits before I find somewhere with a screw driver to sell me. I remove the taillight, wrong bulb and not a common bulb. The bulb is fine though, the taillight is full of water. The contacts are all wet. No dielectric grease. I don't really feel like f'ing with the wiring in the dark at a gas station either though. So I run hazzards the last 100 miles home.
So, sort of mixed results. Fixed two out of three. Actually there was a fourth, the IAC port is getting clogged up, but only noticable while idling. I don't have any carb cleaner either. With a group it might be practical to carry everything you might need, but travelling light and alone it's really rather a joke. I have a toolbag full of tools and a saddlebag half full. I would like to carry a few other things than tools, like cloths.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
I went over my bike tools from my tool box and made a list of the ones that I might need to do a job. Then, I went and bought the tools off the list and put them in a zippered bank bag. I'd guess it weighs about 15lbs, but it is far more "complete" than any of those "one size fits all" kits you can buy. I have used it or loaned it to others in need on many occassions. I would never leave home without it...Oh yeah, I carry a tire plug kit, compressor, and emergency belt as well.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: West ******, Utah
My bike's rear end started vibrating one time. Pulled over and my swingarm pivot shaft was hang half way out of my bike. Took a c-clamp off my fork boot and strapped it back through. Lasted about 2K more miles too. Had a tool kit then. Don't now.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: So Cal - High Desert
Portable tool kit.
I found a tool kit that has just about everything you'd ever need on the road. I got one from my independent shop for $70 and it is nicely built, real quality here, the torx and allen bits very tightly, with no slop. The handles snap into each other to make an "L" shape for leverage (you can get a couple of different driver configurations out of this too). I've used it a number of times already. It's got 7/16", 1/2" and 9/16" sockets, plus all the drivers, including large/small Allen and Torx! Plus I've packed zip ties and a selection of standard HD nuts and bolts in the bag as well (ask the counter guy and he'll give you a nice selection for about $20.)
Just type in "Motion Pro American MP tool" (versus the metric tool). It also comes with a really nice case to hold everything securely inside, all in the palm of your hand.
Just type in "Motion Pro American MP tool" (versus the metric tool). It also comes with a really nice case to hold everything securely inside, all in the palm of your hand.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Don't use my tool kit nearly as much as back in the 60's, but I can't even imagine going anywhere without it... Just doesn't seem right to ride a HOG without a tool kit somewhere. I know, 'old school"... but some habits die hard. I have quit smoking, and drinking though.... LoL If I ride by ya, and you're pulled over, I'll be stopping to pull out the tools, you can count on that one.
Moderator "Queens Of The Road" Forum
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
I don't carry a tool kit, because I ride with hubby who carries one. That tool kit has come in handy on many rides. Somehow bike parts seem to come loose when you least expect it. He hasn't been able to fix every problem, but it's been far better than having no tools at all.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 3
From: Southern Oregon
I don't carry a tool kit for my day to day riding. But I did carry a few tools when I go on 3 day or more trip. It never seems to fail that some little screw or bolt will come loose on those trips. My last trip I needed a small torx and I had it with me.
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