Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories What's in your tool kit?

I read a post questioning a specific tool kit. That got me to thinking:
Outside of trailering a full blown repair shop when you ride, which tools are necessities and which can be left at home? Can anyone recommend a good pre-made "general" kit to keep with the bike or is it more cost effective to build your own? And what would it contain?

i use the box that came with the freak, and have enough tools to remove seat, battery, tank, and bowls on the carbs. anything more you need you have bigger problems. zip ties and electric tape are always good to have. but the cell phone is most important

Frank

Leatherman tool, 8 & 12 MM wrenches, small metric Allen wrench foldout tool, a few spare fuses and headlight bulb, black electrical tape and the cell phone.

Cell phone and a credit card

First I bought the Cruztools metric tool kit. The tools are all pretty cheap. I should put that tool kit back together and sell it to some sucker...er, somebody...

Then I bought a toolroll from Metroracing.com with the old Triumph logo on it. In that I keep (metric, where appropriate, of course):

Allen wrenches
GearWrenches
Ratcheting screwdriver with 6-8 bits
Vicegrips
Needlenose pliers
Wire cutters
Black wire ties
Electrical tape
Spare vacuum caps
Magnet on a telescoping stick

I think a few more little odds and ends but this is all I can get my addled brain to remember. I should probably add a small socket set, too.

Along with the tool roll I take a BFC - a Big Fine Crescent wrench - a leatherman, a minimag flashlight, etc.

I only carry the toolroll on trips. The rest I have with me if my saddlebags are on. If not I might remember to throw the leatherman and a few vacuum caps in my jacket pocket.

Oh, and lastly, I have the GEICO road hazard number on speed dial on my cell phone.

Riding local? no tools, just cell phone, cash, wallet, squirrel condom, ear plugs. However, if you have done anything recently to your sickle that you had to use tools for, carry those tools.

Want to carry a minimal compliment of tools? Following Frank’s logic above carry the tools needed to remove the fuel tank and/or the battery. The tank is the primary obstruction when trouble shooting issues…

Traveling overnight? See Frank's list and also carry spare spark plugs with assorted tools to change em and tools to pull the carb jets, adj the chain, replace tail-light & headlight bulbs, and carry those specialty tools as you can find room for.

Which specific sizes etcetera? Using blue painter's tape, place a small piece of tape on each tool needed to work on your ride. Pull the tank. Mark all those tools. Adjust your chain, mark those too. Whatever you think you can do on the road, mark those tools. Marking the sickle required tools can save you when you have to go outa town on a minutes notice, well it will help you gather those tools when you have waited until the last minute.

Should you always want to travel with a well-rounded tool kit, keep the tools in your everyday tool bag. When you next work on your bike, use only the tools you have in your everyday roll. Is a tool not in it? Add it.

Hope this helps. As you can see what tools to carry is a dynamic thing in that what is your goal for this ride?

The most important tool is gas and thank goodness you don't need to ask me about that one. but I could spin a tale about thinking i was out of that most important tool.

I carry a CruzTools kit with some of my own additions - 18mm spark plug socket, D-tool adjuster, flashlight, leatherman tool, rear shock adjust tool, and a few other things. I also carry a Slime DC air pump and earplugs. I have saddlebags on the bike and room for the stuff to always be there. Where do you get spare squirrel condoms? Triumph dealer? I've never lost one though.

I'm never on the bike without a cell phone and I now have towing(hauling) coverage on my insurance in case something happens I can't fix on the road. On trips I carry an 8 oz. Slime for tube tires, but I've never had to use that either. With the air pump, I figured I might use it if there was no other way home.

Excuse my ignorance. Is there a place built in the America that a tool kit fits into?

This is what I'm looking for. I like Moe's suggestions about carrying any tools from a recent mod, and marking tools used with tape. Very good ideas.
For anyone else reading, please add your opinions to what you carry as I'm curious. In addition to a Gerber and a cell phone, I now have Brent's hard bags (love 'em BTW)and room to carry a good kit. I'm just trying to figure out what should go in it.

Thanks for all the input.

chain breaker,extra link,spare plugs, zip ties small socket set and ratchet,adjustable wrench, pliers ,feeler gauges phillips and flathead screwdrivers , diagonal pliers. allen key set in plastic holder. Thats all I can think of off the top of my head but I'm sure there is more if I go look. For my chopper you can add breaker plate with points mounted, timing tool.

When I am taking a significant ride from home I carry a spare oil filter in my saddlebag after striking some road debris this summer that sliced open my oil filter. Fairly less expensive and easier to fit in a saddlebag than a tow truck at o'dark thirty!

I should clarify that I didn't actually have a specific problem with the Cruztools. They just had that (stereotypical) "Made in Taiwan" feel to them. I'm probably just a tool snob.

First thing I did was a bloody spline key for that stupid battery screw. Allen keys for the other, 8, 10, 12, 14mm spanners. common and philips screwy. Pliers cutter, zip ties plug spanner. I am keen to put them in the harley tool boxes but I can't afford to get the brackets made. I tie my roll to the back as I put spot lights on the triple tree bracket and now I have not figured out where else to stick it.

I have the Craftsman tool kit for metric bikes. It is ok (it was a gift). Unfortunatley, it has standard allen wrench set (not metric), the wrong size spark plug socket and when rolled up really is a bit large to haul around on the bike. So, I keep it in the trunk of my car.

I think I am going to do what FJ did, get a tool roll and build my own kit.

Soren

Arstarem, no there is no stock place to stash tool kits. if you have the FREAK air box eliminator there is a spot in there or else you need a leather tool pouch, saddle roll or saddlebags.


mike

On my recent trip I took only tools adequate to remove battery, gas tank etc. I also packed a one gallon vented gas container between half and 3/4 full for just in case.

Not a bad idea if you happen to go off the beaten track into unfamiliar territority

Yeah, I'm thinking about taking a small gas can on my California trip, especially since I seem to get crappier gas mileage and range than just about everyone else on this site.

Here's a nice pic for you...<BG>

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/photopo...=500&page=1

Mary

Hope this works.... but here's a nice shot for you! <BG>
Mary

[image]http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8055 [/image]

Hey, I can make it 83 miles!







(Barely)

Lemme try...

FJ when we went to GA we carried a couple of 1 liter Camp fule containers, they are readily available at your local camping supply house...they are designed to carry volitile liquid...they are spun alum. so they are rugged...they SEAL very well so packing them into a saddle bag is worry free...never needed them but...

Oh and in my cavernously large saddle bags I carry a set of metric sockets, a set of metric box end wrenches, ele tape, duct tape, needle nose pliers, alen head sockets, a set of metric allen wrenches, vise grips, regular pliers, a tube of locktite, a length of wire, it all fits in a small forkbag, which fits into my saddle bag...my cell phone and a platinum card...but for long trips....