Well this thread inspired me. I put together a kit. This kit is based on 1) 25 years riding experience and 2) Two decades of military experience. If life has taught me anything its that most people will just keep packing stuff as long as they have space. Ive seen many of the tool kits on the thread and there are many unnecessary tools and lots of tool replication. (Like, if you have a 3/8 ratchet, you dont need a 1/4 ratchet in your kit. Flathead screwdriver? Where is there a Flathead screw on a new bike? Same goes for phillips) So I set out to put together the bare minimum of what I can reasonably be able to fix on the road.

My contents:
Zip ties!
adjustable wrench
needle nose pliers (also serve as wire cutters)
T25, 27, 40 and 45 'allen' style. (seems like 1/2 my bike is Torx fasteners now)
7/16, 1/2 and 9/16th combination wrenches
4 allen wrenches of whatever size are the most common. (I literally have dozens of loose allen wrenches and just tried all of them to find the 4 that fit)
The canvass and leather roll was a nice addition, from Amazon and only cost 9 bucks.
I may add a cheap pocket knife and a roll of electrical tape tomorrow.

 

Try the 3/8 ratchet for exhaust header nuts or volt reg. Where to draw the line between I could have a horrible experience in the dark trying to make this tool work, and my bags are full, is something everyone has to answer.

My bags are full. I have to work on something, I hope it is almost as pleasant as working at my house. But I get the idea, you could use a wrench and 200 1/8 turns and save space.

I never used 1/4 ratchets growing up, and know it may be my most used ratchet.

 

Do you use a torque wrench on your axle nuts?
If yes, is that a tool you carry?

 

I made the decison not to carry a torque wrench figuring I can do it when I get home. When people ask this, I figure they are slackers looking for justificaiton I also figure they have not used a tq wrench or anything that needed one much. They are just throwing it out there to make themselves feel good.

 

Nope. But I carry the HD axle nut tool with an extension handle to ensure I tighten axles sufficiently. I do usually change my own tires.

Usually my tools are used to help others. Not usually used on my bike while traveling.

Are you a person who travels with a credit card and little else?

 

I carry a 1/2 breaker bar to tighten axle, and comp nut and clutch sockets. Anything I touch. You can make a joke.

 

You are removing/installing wheels while on the road with your toolkit? FYI: I feel good!


No. I carry a small toolkit that I made based upon what's in other manufacturer toolkits and what I thought was necessary.
The reason I asked is because you said you perform your wheel removal/install using your onboard toolkit. Was curious about the torque wrench since when I work on my wheels, I use a torque wrench on the axle nuts. So, you just basically tighten the axle nuts until till they are sufficiently tight.
HD previously gave you an axle nut wrench with the included toolkit.
HD Part #96697-08, 15/16" X 36mm wrench

 

@LQQK_OUT ... Always providing useful information :>)

 

These are quite compact

 

No I don't plan on changing tire on road. But I could tighten it. Anything can come loose.

You could tip bike over if it has engine guards. It is hard to get them back up by yourself.

Breaker bar could be used on shocks. I don't carry half inch ratchet.

Comp nut could be done on road if you had too.