 Essential things to carry
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Hi all,
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am new to this after a 40 year absence and things have changed a little :-)
My question is what essential items should I keep with me on my bike? (That is, 'after' I get my saddle bags.)
I know I need a tool kit but would it need to be specific for my Speedmaster or just a multi purpose one? Also, What about flats when one is in the country alone? Should I carry a tire plugging kit and some sort of air pump? I can't see leaving my bike on the side of a road for ANY length of time. Can a towing company move my cycle if it happends to have a mechanical problem on the road? Is there any other items you all can think of that I really need on a typical day trip by myself?
Thanks in advance,
Bob
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Cell phone and credit card:-) AMA Motow for roadside assistance & towing http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/motow.aspYou can't possible carry everything you might need.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Cell phone and credit card:-)
AMA Motow for roadside assistance & towing
http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/motow.asp
You can't possible carry everything you might need.
A couple of other ideas...
A list of local Triumph or MC shops.
A list of oil filters and oil.
A Leatherman-type multi tool.
A spare clutch lever.
A Vise Grip.
A handful of plastic cable ties.
A small flashlight.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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A mobile phone
Prepaid credit card
a list of any medicines you on
a way to inflate a tire,
a tube or tire patch kit
Dont like what you see??? Big red X in the top right of your screen will fix it!
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Quote:
Cell phone and credit card
Not to be flippant Larry but there are a lot of places I ride where there is no cell service. Then what?
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Quote:
Quote:
Cell phone and credit card
Not to be flippant Larry but there are a lot of places I ride where there is no cell service. Then what?
See above response..... 
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I think you revert to a more archaic form of transportation.....walkin. On a serious note. Does your insurance cover towing?
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Re: Essential things to carry
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I haven't fitted my toolkit yet, but two things I would add that haven't been mentioned yet are:
1. spare H4 headlamp bulb...any night riding is immediately cancelled if your installed one goes out.
2. mini can of WD-40, with spray hose...can be used for
all kinds of reasons.
'06 Speedmaster, Long TORS, rest is stock (for now)
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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A couple things I learned last night.
Carry your cell phone you moron.
Even if you don't have cell coverage it will have the phone numbers of everyone. Since none of us remember them now.
Carry a prepaid phone card for use at a payphone.
Carry some cash.
And a flashlight would have been awesome.
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I carry a small magnetic floodlight from Harbor Freight that plug into the lead on my bike. They are $4 and about 3" across the face and about the same deep!
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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The bare essentials for moi
Combo wrenches
Metric deep sockets
(Tubeless) Tire repair strings
Can of Fix a flat
Multi screwdriver
Vise grips
Wire cutters
Allen key set
Box cutter and Glock
(It's tough sometimes to decide whether to shoot down the street, or cut through the alley)
Length of wire
Spare bulbs - 1 each is fine
Large med bottle full of spare fuses, squirrel condoms, butt connectors, and such
Roll of black tape
Rain suit
Addidas fleece lined nylon sweats for cool nights
Baseball or Pork Pie Hat
(GQ may want to shoot me for the cover - don't want any pesky helmet hair ruining my GQ smooth like a m'fer thing)
Sunblock
Bungies
Length of thin nylon rope
The other pair of gloves (One is mesh, other is not)
Small flashlight
Matches
Rubber gloves
Rags
Thin cotton balaclava
Gore tex socks
I could lose some of the above, but there seems to be enough room between the tool & saddle bags to tote it all around.
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
Cell phone and credit card
Not to be flippant Larry but there are a lot of places I ride where there is no cell service. Then what?
"the message
no-service, didn't mean that you couldn't dial 911, it really meant that you
had "no vendor service" or such." 911 is an option
Erwin
05 America
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Wow,Martin! I feel so ill-prepared.... I've never carried much more than a few tools wrapped in an old bandana, a tire gauge, a bungee net, clear glasses, sunblock, cell phone, my chaps, gloves & and extra sweatshirt if it's cool, and of course....lipgloss!
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I have a wife & three daughters. They've taught me how to pack large. My 22 year old carries (all kidding aside) 200 lbs. minimum for a three day trip. She was apparently meant for the steamer trunk era.
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Wow,Martin! I feel so ill-prepared....
I've never carried much more than a few tools wrapped in an old bandana
you think your ill prepared.
All i ever carry is my Cell Phone and a my wallet. And that is it. Not that a tool kit would do me any good. I am a crap mechanic. Clueless is the word.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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 Re: Essential things to carry
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Adjunct
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Thanks much for all the suggestions and coments.
I admit I was a bit dumb on the subject. I got some really good information and a few laughs from your ideas. It looks like a credit card ranks as the big number one item
:-). My wife will be thrilled to hear that one.
TC,
Bob
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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As I drove Hardleys before im use to bringin half the garage in my saddlebags, I just enjoy riding now on my TBA:-) nomore laying in some crapy garage or even on the side of the road changing broken parts..(I hope anyway)
HOWEVER!
Its a good idea to be able to fix a flat and any other small repair...break your bike apart as far as you can and make a list of what tools (and breakable parts) you use might be an idea.
...nowdays I usualy pack depending on the tripp im about to make..no use bringin sleepingbag if theres cheap cabines for hire every other mile(im to old for tents anyhow).
Well its late and I have sand in my eyes now so all the good ideas that flashed through my head when reading this post are gone..think I need sleep.. Lobo OAO
Noone can hear you scream of joy in your helmet..so please do when riding and fealing free..
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Cell phone for all the aforementioned reasons, A flashlight so passing motorists can see you in the dark, your policy number and card for roadside service, and an emergency tire kit. Chances are you won't need any of them if you do regular pre-ride checks and prescribed maintenance. If you're really concerned - ride with a Harley rider. They generally have all the tools you'll need.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Wow,Martin! I feel so ill-prepared....
I've never carried much more than a few tools wrapped in an old bandana, a tire gauge, a bungee net, clear glasses, sunblock, cell phone, my chaps, gloves & and extra sweatshirt if it's cool, and of course....lipgloss!
He|| that's more than me.... I carry a phone, my credit card, and yeah the lip gloss.
I may one day get around to putting a tool bag back on one of them, and putting some essentials in but that will probably be on the 03 - the 06 comes with free breakdown cover for the first year. 
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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 Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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The number one thing in Florida is a rainsuit. Also dry socks, leatherman, 2 small vice grips, Goody's Headache Powder, Ben-Gay, Visine, Afrin, and Off! Most important, always carry a deck of playing cards. If you get lost, start playing solitare. Pretty soon someone will come along and tell you to put the red Jack on the black Queen. 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Quote:
Wow,Martin! I feel so ill-prepared....
I've never carried much more than a few tools wrapped in an old bandana, a tire gauge, a bungee net, clear glasses, sunblock, cell phone, my chaps, gloves & and extra sweatshirt if it's cool, and of course....lipgloss!
He|| that's more than me.... I carry a phone, my credit card, and yeah the lip gloss.
I may one day get around to putting a tool bag back on one of them, and putting some essentials in but that will probably be on the 03 - the 06 comes with free breakdown cover for the first year.
My lipgloss fits perfectly in that cute lil' pouch on the tank cover.....and look how our bikes come with perfect mirrors for touch ups! 
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
Wow,Martin! I feel so ill-prepared....
I've never carried much more than a few tools wrapped in an old bandana
you think your ill prepared.
All i ever carry is my Cell Phone and a my wallet. And that is it. Not that a tool kit would do me any good. I am a crap mechanic. Clueless is the word.
'Fraid I'm with you on this one Mark. I DO carry an old Mercedes Toolkit, with the typical metric wrenches, screwdrivers, and vise-grip pliers, as well as electrical tape, a foot long jumper wire with alligator clips on each end, and a few screws and stuff. But really, the likelihood that ANYTHING will break that I can repair with any of these tools is very remote, so a cellphone and credit card are really the only necessary tools! Tools might come in handy if I were riding a Ural, and could do an overhaul with a screwdriver on the side of the road, but I doubt I'll ever be in the situation where what I carry is of any use (other than helping scoop mud and clay out of Gregs (EnglishYankee) headlight after he tanks it in the mountains north of Dahlonega...
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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If noones said it. Spare Vacum cups.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
If noones said it. Spare Vacum cups.
Heading back from GA - somewhere in the middle of IL....bike is backfiring and generally running like crap....missing cap. Had extras. 
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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What I carry depends on where I am going and how long I'll be away. Longer road trips require more stuff, short day trips, less stuff. Two things I always carry is the tool kit I picked up from Newspeedmaster.com and a spare clutch cable (experience).
Other essentials are a hat to protect my precious balding head from the scorching sun and a beer cozy.
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Adjunct
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I've seen a lot of recommendations for tools and stuff to fix a flat tire. Are they really that common?
He was fun while he lasted.
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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independentpowersourceforyourfishbell
allhailthefrenchpress
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Quote:
I've seen a lot of recommendations for tools and stuff to fix a flat tire. Are they really that common?
I have never had one, but I think it is because I carry a repair kit! I know if I didn't, it would be flat city!
Pedal Till You Puke
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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a few tools, phone, flashlight, cash & a couple of back-up mags.
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Carrying tools stems from living where Winter evening temps can kill via hypothermia within in a matter of hours, and also from my truck driving days. I carry tools, gloves, and flashlights in my cars as well. (Ever change a tire with no gloves at 10 F? It is indeed a memorable life lesson.) I suppose it's just an old habit to carry all that stuff. I'd just as soon get rolling again and get home as wait for a screw driver to be brought out to me.
The Triumph factory (and perhaps the ghost of Prince Lucas?) installed a rear fender wire clip upside down on my bike. The entire rear fender wire harness fell down on the tire 900 miles from home in Knoxville, TN at 10 at night, and two wires got cut fully through, one of them naturally, was the common ground for all the rear lamps. Thanks to spare wire, a pair of dykes, butt connectors, and a roll of electrical tape, I had it fixed in a half hour. Me thinks MoTow would have meant a 4 hour wait and then a motel charge.
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Re: Essential things to carry
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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until i started carrying fix-a-flat i endured two (count 'em) flats. since then, none. and wd-40 got me going again on a soaking rain drenched ride to ocean city, maryland when i was shorting out the coils. i soaked the underside of the tank with a small can from a gas station, had a beer and a pesh, and away i went. i've popped an oil filter once while riding as well and scrambling for oil and a filter was quite a buzz kill. now i always have fix-a-flat, wd-40 and an oil filter onboard, along with various and sundry tools that i pray i'll nevr have to use!!
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: May 2007
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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I rode a motorcycle for over a decade, and lived for 4 years with one as the only commuter, but that was 13 years ago. Back then I mostly traveled with a few quarters for emergency phone calls, a bag of peanuts for lunch, and a cheap watch to tell me when it was time to stop to stretch my legs. I made 6-hour trips from North Carolina to Northern Virginia to see my parents, sometimes in wind and rain that shredded my plastic rain-gear and soaked my bones. I didn't know what cell phones were then, nor did I own credit cards. The only items I had in my pockets, next to the three quarters, were my M-class driver license and a bent picture of my girlfriend (now my wife). I brought along absolutely no tools of any kind. Perhaps I was young and foolish, but on all my trips I simply checked the oil, gas, tire pressure and then threw a leg over the bike and hit the start button.
Back then no internet forum was around to wisen me up to those tools and emergency items which I'm reading in this thread. Of course, now I'm older and hopefully wiser, I definitely will be ready for trips when I once again get a motorcycle.
My only question so far from what I'm reading: What is the purpose of a vice grip while on the road?
Thanks,
John
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
My only question so far from what I'm reading: What is the purpose of a vice grip while on the road?
Clamp a mini vice grip to the broken stub of a brake or clutch lever to limp home for one.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
My only question so far from what I'm reading: What is the purpose of a vice grip while on the road?
Clamp a mini vice grip to the broken stub of a brake or clutch lever to limp home for one.
I've seen this done recently. It also prompted me to get a spare clutch lever, cheap insurance so a long trip doesn't get ruined.
A Vice Grip could be useful as a wrench in many other applications too.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I don't know how many vehicles I have seen saved with vise grips. The 2 most popular fixes I can think of is holding a busted cable together and clamping off a busted brake line.
Last edited by Dill; 05/17/2007 12:21 PM.
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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they make a great window crank too.
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I carry one of these cable repair clamps to get me home if a cable breaks. cable repair barrel
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Essential things to carry
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Joined: May 2007
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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In the dozen years I rode a bike, the only incedent that nearly soiled my pants was when the front tire went immediately flat while I was going 65 mph on Route 29 somewhere on the outskirt of Roanoake, Virginia. But never a broken cable. How often does a cable break and what is a common cause?
John
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