Tool kit
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 3
From: Orange County, CA
My "Every Day" Fork Bag Essentials include (from left to right):
-----------------------------------------------------------
1/2" & 9/16" open end wrench
7/16" combination wrench
tire pressure gauge
1/4" hex allen wrench (fits the bolt that holds the shifter arm on the splined shifter shaft, and the bolt on my jockey shifter)
my old Swiss Army knife (has scissors, screwdrivers, leather awl, sharp blades)
90* angled Phillips/Std head screwdriver
spanner wrench to adjust my Progressive 412 shocks on the fly, if needed.
crescent wrench (cheap, but effective)
disposable cigarette lighter
folding bottle opener...because beer has food value, but not vice versa.
pack of Black & Milds
(not pictured) a half dozen small zip ties
(not pictured) small Maglite
If I'm going on a long trip I will usually add a long Phillips head screwdriver in case I need to adjust the idle, a 5/8" combination wrench, a 1/4" ratchet and a few Torx bits, a +12V cigarette lighter socket adapter I made that plugs into the battery tender pigtail, a pair of small diagonal cutters, a small roll of duct tape, and some large heavy duty zip ties.
-----------------------------------------------------------
1/2" & 9/16" open end wrench
7/16" combination wrench
tire pressure gauge
1/4" hex allen wrench (fits the bolt that holds the shifter arm on the splined shifter shaft, and the bolt on my jockey shifter)
my old Swiss Army knife (has scissors, screwdrivers, leather awl, sharp blades)
90* angled Phillips/Std head screwdriver
spanner wrench to adjust my Progressive 412 shocks on the fly, if needed.
crescent wrench (cheap, but effective)
disposable cigarette lighter
folding bottle opener...because beer has food value, but not vice versa.
pack of Black & Milds
(not pictured) a half dozen small zip ties
(not pictured) small Maglite
If I'm going on a long trip I will usually add a long Phillips head screwdriver in case I need to adjust the idle, a 5/8" combination wrench, a 1/4" ratchet and a few Torx bits, a +12V cigarette lighter socket adapter I made that plugs into the battery tender pigtail, a pair of small diagonal cutters, a small roll of duct tape, and some large heavy duty zip ties.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
Probably the best 'tool kit' for most would be a cell phone and credit card.
Even if a person knows how to work on their bike all the tools in the world won't make any difference if you don't carry the right replacement part(s) as well.
Roadside assistance and towing coverage through most insurance companies isn't that expensive (less than $7.00 a year on my policy), and probably makes more sense than purchasing and storing a bunch of tools that would be used very little (if any).
Even if a person knows how to work on their bike all the tools in the world won't make any difference if you don't carry the right replacement part(s) as well.
Roadside assistance and towing coverage through most insurance companies isn't that expensive (less than $7.00 a year on my policy), and probably makes more sense than purchasing and storing a bunch of tools that would be used very little (if any).
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
I think that it is great to see what other riders have with them. You can - or add what you may want to carry with you. There are riders out there that may think paying more for insurance is too much of a tool to carry but, you bring up a good point. Since many states have the "Must Have Insurance Laws". I think that for $7.00 a month more, its worth every bit. My two Cents.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Aiken, SC
And if your planning on going to a bike rally/festival......an old paint can lid comes in handy to put under the kick stand when you park on grass. I can't tell you how many times i've been at rallys and at the end of the night see bikes fallen over because the kick stands sank in the dirt.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
I keep a flat beer can in my saddle bag just for that. but I'm sure that you can pick up an empty beer can at any camp site cheap. after picking one up ya may have to see if there is a vendor tent that does any on the spot work. I'm sure they can stomp it flat for ya. or if you have any mechanical ability, I'm sure you can find the right tools to "stomp flat" a beer can.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
I keep a flat beer can in my saddle bag just for that. but I'm sure that you can pick up an empty beer can at any camp site cheap. after picking one up ya may have to see if there is a vendor tent that does any on the spot work. I'm sure they can stomp it flat for ya. or if you have any mechanical ability, I'm sure you can find the right tools to "stomp flat" a beer can.
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