Essential tools
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
A couple spare fuses....a 12" length of electric tape, five 8" wire ties, 10mm wrench. A head light bulb. And fifty dollars cash-5's and ten's (try using your debit card at a farmers house when you run out of gas and are trying to buy gas from his lawn mower supply).
What are you going to do with more tools?....OK....maybe, a tire plug set and a cheap air compressor.
What are you going to do with more tools?....OK....maybe, a tire plug set and a cheap air compressor.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
A lot probably depends on how good you are with said tools. If you need to ask what tools do I need then you probably aren't going to do very will with any roadside emergency repairs. But that's just an opinion.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
Can you use tools? Are you handy with them? Do you know how to perform repairs on you bike?
If you have a service manual and know how to use it a small set of tools may come in handy. I assembled my own tool kit but a good road set from Cruze etc will stand you in good stead.
I've adjusted the adjustable push rods on my 09 BargeGlide on the side of the road myself but I wouldn't recommend it to a novice or early learner (not saying you are either).
If you have a service manual and know how to use it a small set of tools may come in handy. I assembled my own tool kit but a good road set from Cruze etc will stand you in good stead.
I've adjusted the adjustable push rods on my 09 BargeGlide on the side of the road myself but I wouldn't recommend it to a novice or early learner (not saying you are either).
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
Maybe you can also download the service manual as a pdf for a smart phone app or at least a thumb drive.
Where we ride, at least one bike in the group breaks down on any long trip. And its usually something that cant be fixed on the spot. Trying getting a tow in the Phils. Usually we end up having to cram a bike into a jeepney to get to a mechanic.
Where we ride, at least one bike in the group breaks down on any long trip. And its usually something that cant be fixed on the spot. Trying getting a tow in the Phils. Usually we end up having to cram a bike into a jeepney to get to a mechanic.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
Well, I reckon it depends mostly on (a) how reliable you believe your bike to be and (b) how much storage space you have.
My FXDP was run pretty hard by po & is prone to "excentricities." So I don't feel safe leaving the neighborhood without carry all this:
* Hex Sockets & L-wrenches (both): 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8
* Torx Sockets: 20, 25, 27, 40, 45 (3/8 & 1/4)
* Box End Wrenches: 3/8, 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8,10mm
* 3/8" Ratchet Sockets: 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 10mm,14mm
* 3/8 drive rachet, 3" extension, adapters 1/4 to 3/8 and 3/8 to 1/4
* 6" Cresent Wrench
* Blue Threadlocker
* 6" Needle Nose Pliers
* 2 Cheap Champion Spark Plugs & gap tool
* 6" Needlenose Channel Locks
* Ratcheting Screwdriver & assortment of slip-in hex/torx/phillips/spade Inserts
* Leatherman Multitool
* Assortment of 10" zip ties
* Roll Electrical Tape
* Cheap Volt/Ohm meter
* Set of cheap spark plug wires
* Spare Crank Position Sensor
* 9" Jumper Cables
* Tire Plug Kit
* Crank-to-Charge Flashlight
* 5X5 Piece of painted 2X4 for coaster
* Camping First-Aid Kit
* Hand Wipe Rag
* Camping-type Hand Cleaner in Sealed Packets
I know, call me ****, but she's let me down once too often. I'm too cheap & hard-headed to sell er & buy something reliable.
My FXDP was run pretty hard by po & is prone to "excentricities." So I don't feel safe leaving the neighborhood without carry all this:
* Hex Sockets & L-wrenches (both): 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8
* Torx Sockets: 20, 25, 27, 40, 45 (3/8 & 1/4)
* Box End Wrenches: 3/8, 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8,10mm
* 3/8" Ratchet Sockets: 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 10mm,14mm
* 3/8 drive rachet, 3" extension, adapters 1/4 to 3/8 and 3/8 to 1/4
* 6" Cresent Wrench
* Blue Threadlocker
* 6" Needle Nose Pliers
* 2 Cheap Champion Spark Plugs & gap tool
* 6" Needlenose Channel Locks
* Ratcheting Screwdriver & assortment of slip-in hex/torx/phillips/spade Inserts
* Leatherman Multitool
* Assortment of 10" zip ties
* Roll Electrical Tape
* Cheap Volt/Ohm meter
* Set of cheap spark plug wires
* Spare Crank Position Sensor
* 9" Jumper Cables
* Tire Plug Kit
* Crank-to-Charge Flashlight
* 5X5 Piece of painted 2X4 for coaster
* Camping First-Aid Kit
* Hand Wipe Rag
* Camping-type Hand Cleaner in Sealed Packets
I know, call me ****, but she's let me down once too often. I'm too cheap & hard-headed to sell er & buy something reliable.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 224
Likes: 4
From: Hamilton Ontario
Good set
Well, I reckon it depends mostly on (a) how reliable you believe your bike to be and (b) how much storage space you have.
My FXDP was run pretty hard by po & is prone to "excentricities." So I don't feel safe leaving the neighborhood without carry all this:
* Hex Sockets & L-wrenches (both): 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8
* Torx Sockets: 20, 25, 27, 40, 45 (3/8 & 1/4)
* Box End Wrenches: 3/8, 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8,10mm
* 3/8" Ratchet Sockets: 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 10mm,14mm
* 3/8 drive rachet, 3" extension, adapters 1/4 to 3/8 and 3/8 to 1/4
* 6" Cresent Wrench
* Blue Threadlocker
* 6" Needle Nose Pliers
* 2 Cheap Champion Spark Plugs & gap tool
* 6" Needlenose Channel Locks
* Ratcheting Screwdriver & assortment of slip-in hex/torx/phillips/spade Inserts
* Leatherman Multitool
* Assortment of 10" zip ties
* Roll Electrical Tape
* Cheap Volt/Ohm meter
* Set of cheap spark plug wires
* Spare Crank Position Sensor
* 9" Jumper Cables
* Tire Plug Kit
* Crank-to-Charge Flashlight
* 5X5 Piece of painted 2X4 for coaster
* Camping First-Aid Kit
* Hand Wipe Rag
* Camping-type Hand Cleaner in Sealed Packets
I know, call me ****, but she's let me down once too often. I'm too cheap & hard-headed to sell er & buy something reliable.
My FXDP was run pretty hard by po & is prone to "excentricities." So I don't feel safe leaving the neighborhood without carry all this:
* Hex Sockets & L-wrenches (both): 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8
* Torx Sockets: 20, 25, 27, 40, 45 (3/8 & 1/4)
* Box End Wrenches: 3/8, 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8,10mm
* 3/8" Ratchet Sockets: 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 10mm,14mm
* 3/8 drive rachet, 3" extension, adapters 1/4 to 3/8 and 3/8 to 1/4
* 6" Cresent Wrench
* Blue Threadlocker
* 6" Needle Nose Pliers
* 2 Cheap Champion Spark Plugs & gap tool
* 6" Needlenose Channel Locks
* Ratcheting Screwdriver & assortment of slip-in hex/torx/phillips/spade Inserts
* Leatherman Multitool
* Assortment of 10" zip ties
* Roll Electrical Tape
* Cheap Volt/Ohm meter
* Set of cheap spark plug wires
* Spare Crank Position Sensor
* 9" Jumper Cables
* Tire Plug Kit
* Crank-to-Charge Flashlight
* 5X5 Piece of painted 2X4 for coaster
* Camping First-Aid Kit
* Hand Wipe Rag
* Camping-type Hand Cleaner in Sealed Packets
I know, call me ****, but she's let me down once too often. I'm too cheap & hard-headed to sell er & buy something reliable.
Now that I've done some wiring to the battery, my own brake pads and brake fluid bleed, spark plugs, clutch adjust, oils and air filter stuff etc I can fix a few more things first hand, and reading the manual about linkage, and various other mechanical parts I can easily deal with a few things based on theory - at least I think I can
- so carrying a standard pack on the front of my frame is a good idea. I always carry a camping water proof first aid kit which I've taken apart a few times, added a couple of things to, and understand how to use.The more you work on your own bike, the more tools you learn to use the more money you save and the better prepared you will become. The alternative is indeed a credit card and cell phone but even though I'm a newb who carries a cell phone and cc I don't want to be 'that guy' - the one who can only call for help. Working on my bike - even the high level light stuff is a fun part of the bike experience too, and a source of personal pride.
./enable boyscout mode ftw
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Ottawa, Canada, summer, Daytona Beach Florida, winter
A cell phone for AAA, credit card and a tie wrap in case I break a jiffy stand spring, oh yes I always have my pocket knife.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
Well, I reckon it depends mostly on (a) how reliable you believe your bike to be and (b) how much storage space you have.
My FXDP was run pretty hard by po & is prone to "excentricities." So I don't feel safe leaving the neighborhood without carry all this:
* Hex Sockets & L-wrenches (both): 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8
* Torx Sockets: 20, 25, 27, 40, 45 (3/8 & 1/4)
* Box End Wrenches: 3/8, 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8,10mm
* 3/8" Ratchet Sockets: 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 10mm,14mm
* 3/8 drive rachet, 3" extension, adapters 1/4 to 3/8 and 3/8 to 1/4
* 6" Cresent Wrench
* Blue Threadlocker
* 6" Needle Nose Pliers
* 2 Cheap Champion Spark Plugs & gap tool
* 6" Needlenose Channel Locks
* Ratcheting Screwdriver & assortment of slip-in hex/torx/phillips/spade Inserts
* Leatherman Multitool
* Assortment of 10" zip ties
* Roll Electrical Tape
* Cheap Volt/Ohm meter
* Set of cheap spark plug wires
* Spare Crank Position Sensor
* 9" Jumper Cables
* Tire Plug Kit
* Crank-to-Charge Flashlight
* 5X5 Piece of painted 2X4 for coaster
* Camping First-Aid Kit
* Hand Wipe Rag
* Camping-type Hand Cleaner in Sealed Packets
I know, call me ****, but she's let me down once too often. I'm too cheap & hard-headed to sell er & buy something reliable.
My FXDP was run pretty hard by po & is prone to "excentricities." So I don't feel safe leaving the neighborhood without carry all this:
* Hex Sockets & L-wrenches (both): 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8
* Torx Sockets: 20, 25, 27, 40, 45 (3/8 & 1/4)
* Box End Wrenches: 3/8, 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8,10mm
* 3/8" Ratchet Sockets: 5/16, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 10mm,14mm
* 3/8 drive rachet, 3" extension, adapters 1/4 to 3/8 and 3/8 to 1/4
* 6" Cresent Wrench
* Blue Threadlocker
* 6" Needle Nose Pliers
* 2 Cheap Champion Spark Plugs & gap tool
* 6" Needlenose Channel Locks
* Ratcheting Screwdriver & assortment of slip-in hex/torx/phillips/spade Inserts
* Leatherman Multitool
* Assortment of 10" zip ties
* Roll Electrical Tape
* Cheap Volt/Ohm meter
* Set of cheap spark plug wires
* Spare Crank Position Sensor
* 9" Jumper Cables
* Tire Plug Kit
* Crank-to-Charge Flashlight
* 5X5 Piece of painted 2X4 for coaster
* Camping First-Aid Kit
* Hand Wipe Rag
* Camping-type Hand Cleaner in Sealed Packets
I know, call me ****, but she's let me down once too often. I'm too cheap & hard-headed to sell er & buy something reliable.
I'll take a guess and say you've had some trouble with crank position sensors in the past.
No spare head temp sensor?