Need to throw together a little tool kit for the GSer, since mine did the disappearing act sometime between when it was new and when I bought it. Anyway, figure scredrivers, adj. wrench, pliers (actually the drivers and pliers will probably be my Leatherman, which rarely leaves my hip). Have taken my bike apart a few times for rejet, tires, spkts, etc... but can't recall off hand the common socket sizes. I'm pretty sure there where only a few that I would probalby need to carry along. Any specialty things anyone has found out thats a help if ya break down? Wanna take some extended rides (Say Pittsburgh to Jersey), not too long, but too long to be without tools. Any help, greatly appriciated. Good vibes on their way.... :icon_razz: O0 :) :icon_razz: O0 :) :thumb: :thumb: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
I think 8mm, 10mm and 12mm covers most of the bike. Plus a set of metric allen wrenches. A few size phillips and flathead. All depends on what exactly you plan to do though, myself I'd just pack a AAA card :)
I think debtman7 has the most common sizes right. I usually cary a full set of stubby wrenches on long rides since they don't take up too much more room, as well as the allen wrenches screwdrivers and pliers (letherman covers these alright)
I also carry a tire plug kit ($5 from the auto parts store) and a can of fix a flat (just to inflate the tire after I plug it) Getting a flat sucks as anyone who has had one will tell you. Slime makes a tire repair kit that includes a bottle of slime and a 12v air compressor for about $25 that's small enough to fit in a tank bag. I don't know if i'd trust the slime but the air compressor would be nice.
also zip ties come in handy for all sorts of stuff and they don't take up hardly any room.
I don't think that most AAA plans include motorcycles unless you get the much more expensive recreational vehicle plan. Of course if you tell the operator that you're DRIVING a Suzuki they might think that you're talking about a car.
Hey there,
From a recent, previous post:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=34674.0
When I tour on my 1991 GS500E, I always follow the tool maxim -- if you take it with you, you won't need it. If you leave it at home, that tool is the one you will need as you sit on the side of the road.
I always pack a small kit made up of Craftsman tools because you can get warranty replacements anywhere you travel:
Phillips and flat screwdrivers, large, medium and small
1 set Craftsman 1/4 inch drive socket wrench with sockets in case 4-14 mm
1 3/8 drive Craftsman socket wrench and sockets as above 6-19mm
1 12" adjustable Crescent wrench, 1 8" wrench, for odd sized fasteners
long needlenose pliers
lineman's general purpose pliers medium
regular thin pliers
combination wrenches, 6,8,10,12,14,17 mm with box on one end and open end on the other end (hence the name combination wrenches, for newbies)
roll black electrical tape
several assorted electrical connectors, male and female ends, crush variety rather than solder type
several segments of 18 and 16 gauge electrical wire 1-2 feet long, coiled(just in case)
spare fuses
Prepaid phone card for payphones in wallet (just in case cell doesn't work)
several shop rags
small can Black Label PJ1 chain lube -- I like this best after trying many many brands over the last 32 years
small Craftsman halogen rugged model flashlight (runs on AA batteries)
As suggested by someone above -- tire pressure gauge
I think that's it.
Add in your own favorites.
I put it all in a cloth bag and wrap it several times, then tuck it low into a saddlebag or my soft tail trunk that I can mount on the seat behind me if I don't have a passenger.
Take pictures and tell us all about your trip!
Be safe,
yours,
Todd
Yep, you need the PlusRV plan for motorcycle towing. Or a father in law with a truck and ramps...
Tire repair is a good idea. I can't imagine too much that would break on your bike that you could actually fix on the side of the road without spare parts though. You're not going to be rebuilding your carbs or adjusting valve's on the freeway. Maybe something wiggles loose you have to tighten it up, but that could be handled with a few sockets, allen wrenches and leatherman. Beyond that seems more tools aren't too likely to do you much good, but then again I've never had to do any side of the road repairs so what do I know.
Yeah I agree with debtman7, if you do a good pre ride inspection and keep your bike in good condition there shouldn't be too much going wrong that a handfull of tools can't fix.
Trwhouse sounds like he's prepared for an engine rebuild on the side of the road :laugh: I suppose that if you don't mind lugging arround a big toolbox with you, there isn't any harn in being over prepared but I think that's a little overkill.
Smoker...I see you want to travel from pgh....Where do you live in the burgh. We should go for a ride :cheers:
Hi again,
DucatiNolan, I agree, it sounds like a lot.
But even if you take care of your bike as well as I do, things can and do happen.
And if you are sitting on the side of the road, it's better to have to right tool and NOT need it than to need the right tool and NOT have it with you. :)
I pack it all in a roll and then tuck it into a saddlebag or a soft tail trunk strapped behind me.
Cut the kit down if you'd like, but whatever you leave out, that's the tool you'll likely need. :)
Have a great trip!
yours,
Todd
Yeah, that's what I was looking for.
TRWhouse: Got an estimate on how much that tool kit weighs? I don't have any bags yet, so I'm used to carrying everything on my back. But soon will fab up the luggage rack design I saw on here years ago (anyone know offhand where I found that?), and will be ordering saddle bags within a couple weeks. Read the first half or so of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence"about 5 times but never finish it, as I'm sure many others here have done, and that guys pack kit sounds like it weighs a half ton or so, but he swears it's easy to pack... And sitting broken down blows ass... I know from cars, not bikes, but you can't even sit 'inside' a broken down motorbike like you can a car, and wait for someone to save the day. You're from Lancaster??? Do you get scowls from the Amish as you cruise by on your (gasoline-and-electric-devil-powered) bike??..hehehe
Fenderjonsey: I live in Sturgeon... right outside McDonald. Southeast of the burgh by about 20 min. Come into town Monday and Wednesdays for a class at Pitt during the day(at least for summer semester, fall will be different). I'm the thirty year old guy still trying to finish his engineering degree. Work in Canonsburg at night.
Where are you? (Update your profile so other Penna residents will know your close...never know when ya need a friend..heheheh)
Smoker...I live in Mt. Lebo, I'm about 5 min from the liberty tubes. I've been out riding nearly every weekend since I got the bike and looking to take a decently long trip soon, maybe down to deep creek maryland or something. PM your number to me and we can try to meet up soon.
What street? Got some friends that live on ...ummm... the street that 'Mineo's' pizza is on that crosses Washington Ave. Anyway, about 5-10 min. from the tubes... Also have some friends in Brookline...right down the road. Once I get her all legal I'll give ya a holler and maybe we can get something together...
Yeap deinately a sparkplug socket and a couple spare Plugs.
Zip Ties
4" or 5" Vice Grips
Maybe a Bandana to Wipe Sweat if you have to Push it. :laugh: Neither the Bandana or 5" Vice Grips leave my back Pocket.
Either a 6 in 1 Screwdriver or I carry a Good Snap on Ratcheting Screwdriver in my Truck tool Kit with exchangeable bits in the Handle.
As far as Tool Kits go I carry a Nearly Full KD Tool Socket set behind my Truck seat.It has a 3/8 Ratchet and the Adapters for 1/4" and 1/2" Sockets.The sockets well I have those on Socket Rails in a Backpack.The Ratchet,Nut Driver Handle,Crescent Wrench,Screwdrivers,Combination Wrenches ETC. are in a 50 Caliber Ammo Can.Usually if anyone is Having trouble I can have them off and Running in Nothing flat.
As soon as I get my New Truck I will be Investing in a Good toolbox for the Bed so I can Carry my Jacks,Lug wrenches,Plug Kit,a Full Tool Kit,Tow Ropes,First Aid kits,ETC.Driving an Old Dodge Dakota with a Regular cab it's Kinda Hard to Carry Enough stuff to be Prepaired for Everything.
...and I also carry a sawzall, drill, circ. saw, 4' level, hand saw, flashlight, hatchet, torch...and about a hundred other tools in my beat ass F-150...cause it's a TRUCK = ROOM!!! I appriciated the input yo, but I was meaning a "bike" tool kit = minimal necessities = minimal weight.
But I agree, if you can't fix it with vice grips, a bandanna, and a pocket knife (how could you not mention that????), throw it away!!! :laugh: :laugh:
I5