Saddlebag Tool Kit
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
Saddlebag Tool Kit
I was reading Dr. V-Twin's thread on saddlebag storage and I saw a lot of different suggestions on tools, but I didn't want to hi-jack his thread. What are the essential tools to pack that will take care of most roadside problems on a long trip? Does anyone make a good kit already, or do I need to assemble my own?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,524
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
cell phone
credit card
zip ties
electrical tape
spare 1156 and 1157 bulb
spare plugs
torx bit flip tool
adjustable wrench
tire plug kit
slime tire pump
spare fuses
Those things will generally get you off the road and to a dealer with most of the minor mishaps.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 11
From: El Paso, Texas
I think way too many people over think this, IMO. For example, if you take 10 riders I'd suffice to say that maybe only 1 would actually make what I would classify as roadside repairs (i.e. replace a belt, change a tire, replace a cable). Then there's about 4 that would patch the problem somehow to get off the road to a dealer. The other 5 would stand on the side of the road with a cell phone and credit card and get towed to a dealer for repairs. Having said that, determine which category you fit into and build a kit from there. It also depends on what precautions you have taken to prevent the most common mishaps like broken shifter linkages. If you are a preventative type of person and replaced your linkages with heim joints then you are slightly ahead of the game. The HD toolkit that came with the bike with a few add-ons is generally enough. I digress...........
cell phone
credit card
zip ties
electrical tape
spare 1156 and 1157 bulb
spare plugs
torx bit flip tool
adjustable wrench
tire plug kit
slime tire pump
spare fuses
Those things will generally get you off the road and to a dealer with most of the minor mishaps.
cell phone
credit card
zip ties
electrical tape
spare 1156 and 1157 bulb
spare plugs
torx bit flip tool
adjustable wrench
tire plug kit
slime tire pump
spare fuses
Those things will generally get you off the road and to a dealer with most of the minor mishaps.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
I think Dawg pretty well sums it up nicely, but I do have a question. Whenever I see a list of tools/spares to carry on a trip, I always see sparkplugs listed. Is this really an issue now, with Fuel injection & electronic ignition or just a carry-over from "back in the day". I mean I'm certainly old enough to remember when plugs were a problem, but for me, they've been a non-issue for years. Have I just been lucky?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
Are the shifter linkages that poorly made that I need to go ahead and replace it?
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 523
Likes: 13
From: Arizona
I carry a Windzone EK-1HD Kit, a Leatherman, a tire plug kit, a Surefire, T-50 Torx Head, 1/4 inch 12 pt socket, 14mm wrench, 12mm wrench, 1/8 inch wrench, 6 in 1 screwdriver, a small adjustable wrench, and a kickstand plate.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,524
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
I can't tell you how many people that I have personally waited on that came in and needed to buy a new shifter linkage because their linkage joints broke. HD sells the entire linkage and not just the ends. You can buy the stock-like ball joint ends from McMaster-Carr and other such places or you can simply replace them with heim joints that can screw right onto your stock linkage.
As for the spark plugs, it is pretty much a non-issue nowadays. I still do carry them for peace of mind though and have given them to bud's while on a trip that had issues (turned out to be PCIII **** the bed).
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 5
From: NW NC
For about $30.00 I bought a Craftsmen set of standard and metric sockets with torx bits that came in a zipper nylon case. Only problem it is 1/4 inch drive so you have to consider its limitations. I added a set of Craftsman electrical wrenches, hex heads and a small adjustable wrench. I also carry a tire pressure gauge and a air gauge for the air shocks. You can tow along a chest set and still not have a tool for every scenario.