V7 - Tool Kit Minimum?

[Spokane2303]

I�m putting together a very basic tool kit to carry on my V7:

I�ve selected:

Leatherman Knife
Spark plug socket, extension and T-handle driver
6� Crescent Wrench
Combination screw driver - all in one type
STD. Pliers
Black tape
Assorted zip ties
Extra fuses
Shock adjusting tool
Shop rag
Disposable gloves
1- spark plug
1- spark plug cap

Anything else �critical�that I�m missing or something I don�t need on my current list?

I also have a flat plug and inflate kit with extra CO2 cartridges.

[Toecutter]

You're gonna need some allen keys.

[NC Steve]

Cell phone and Visa card. 

[Spokane2303]

I always have the cell phone, Visa and tow insurance!

What size Allen wrenches suggested?

[stonelover]

Toecutter is right.  Must carry allen wrenches!

[rtbickel]

Feeler gauge and plug gapping tool

[Chuck in Indiana]

I think you have it covered with the addition of some allen wrenches. Lets face it, you are not going to do a major overhaul on the side of the road. By far, the most likely failure you'll have is a flat. Make *sure* you can fix one. I've never tried a CO2 cartridge fix. My thinking, knowing me,  is that it would not go well. I have a small compressor instead. If you are comfortable with the CO2.. go with it.

[malik]

Allen keys:-
3.5mm for the rear brake reservoir -  so you can access the positive terminal on 1TB V7s.
4mm for the side covers
5mm for most of the others
6mm for the muffler hangers & a couple of others
7mm for the front brake calliper
8mm for the rear axle & rear calliper & pin
10mm for the gearbox drain plug
14mm for the front axle - the V7C came.with a short length of hex rod in its tool kit, but the V7S didn't.

The spanners that get most use are:-
8mm
10mm
13mm
14mm (for the front axle hex rod)
17mm & 19mm (for the drain plugs, as well as others)
24mm for the rear axle

For only occasional use - 6mm, 9mm, 30mm, 32mm.

You've already got the plug spanner, the C spanner for the shocks, and the flat/Philips blade screwdriver. And the spare spark plugs & caps. And the duct tape.

On trips I also take along spare globes, a couple of 18i inch lengths of wire, a spare tube for the rear wheel, along with tyre levers (in the Beadbkr kit), a spare clutch cable & a set of spare levers. Once you pack the essential kit, these last don't take up much room, and have, on occasion, been useful - if not for me, then for someone else. In the middle of nowhere, where these things end up breaking, there's usually no convenient source. The small lithium jump starter is the back up power for the phone & tablet & sometimes starts other people's bikes or cars. If you camp a lot, it's handy.

I still haven't fixed permanently the V7C's side stand problem, so a small spray can of lubricant goes along too, and as the V7C also uses a bit of oil, 500ml in a tomato sauce bottle - these aren't necessary for the V7S.

There may be a few more, but with experience, you will develop your own preferences. Mostly, you will never need the stuff you carry, but when you do, it really handy to have been prepared.

A subscription to a roadside assist service with a free towing option has come in handy on more than one occasion. For the miles I put on these bikes, it's a cheap safety net.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Must have all the common size of ring/open end wrench, get the stubby ones, you can join 2 together for extra leverage, for the wheel nuts file a hex spanner out of 1/8 or 1/4 aluminum about 4" long, beat it with a rock.

[Murray]

I'd leave the 6inch adjustable out there might be three things you can it onto to round off on a motorcycle.

[sign216]

Must have all the common size of ring/open end wrench, get the stubby ones, you can join 2 together for extra leverage, for the wheel nuts file a hex spanner out of 1/8 or 1/4 aluminum about 4" long, beat it with a rock.

Get the full sized ring/open wrenches, but get them in titanium.  Softer than steel, but light enough to carry around.

If you don't have a centerstand, think about that.  It's worth it for roadside tire changes and other repairs. 

You have CO2 cartridges and plug kits, but if you have tube tires (for the older V7 series) then also get a can of tire inflator and sealant, the ones made for motorcycle use.  They are handy, and you can seal and inflate your tire without having the whole dismount wheel, pry tire off, etc.  Saved my butt once.

[Matt Story]

A tire pressure gauge is missing.

Also, I like to have the smallest multi-meter I can can find on board.  Craftsman makes one that's smaller than a deck of cards.

I would avoid the crescent wrench and carry the individual sizes, but only specific sizes.

Name brand ball ended allen wrench set such as made by Bondus.

A rag is probably included by default and doesn't need to be mentioned.

[antmanbee]

I would not bother with feeler guages or plug gapper.
I always carry a small vice grip and a half dozen cable ties and some duct and electrical tape in addition to the above mentioned wrenches and allen keys.
It is an emergency kit, so you need to be able to improvise to get you back to civilization.

[pete roper]

What exactly are you expecting to do at the side of the road? In reality if your bike spits the dummy the chances of you being able to fix it at the side of the road are minimal.

Make sure before you set off that it is adequately serviced, take a tyre plugging kit, a phone and a credit card. Carrying extraneous shit is pointless. You aren’t likely to have an ‘Easily fixable’ break-down on a modern motorbike.

[Shiftonthefly]

Unless you're planning on riding through central America or you are traveling on back roads extensively, your list seems more than enough as is. I found a stubby crescent wrench and added that to the stock kit since it might be able to actually get into a nut/bolt. Ive never wanted to adjust my shocks on the side of the road. Usually that kind of stuff I do at home. I also wouldn't bother w feeler gauges or a plug gapper. You don't have points and the pre gap will probably get you home.

The whole point of a tool kit is to get you back to civilization if you have a problem. It's just me but carrying full size wrenches seems nuts. Or carrying 30 different Allen keys. I'd worry about a  flat and otherwise carry cell phone.

[timax]

What exactly are you expecting to do at the side of the road? In reality if your bike spits the dummy the chances of you being able to fix it at the side of the road are minimal.

Make sure before you set off that it is adequately serviced, take a tyre plugging kit, a phone and a credit card. Carrying extraneous shit is pointless. You aren�t likely to have an �Easily fixable� break-down on a modern motorbike.

Its amazing how many motorists like you i have helped over the years with a broken this or loose that. Personally i like to be independent and get home by Sunday evening .

[pete roper]

So do I. That’s why I ride a well maintained modern motorbike rather than a thirty year old half worn out piece of shit!

I’ve never been stranded by a Guzzi but I’ve been a lot closer with my old ones than my new ones. That’s fine though. I understand it doesn’t meet the hugely macho ‘McGyver Test’ so I’ll just hand in my man-card and live on tofu! 

Pete

[Fontain25]

I've been carrying one of these for about 25 years . Good quality tools and almost anything you may need. dedFlatRateEnvelope !62801!US!-1" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.ebay.com/itm/82-83-Honda-GL1100-I-Tool-Kit-with-Bag-GL-1100-Goldwing/372149068983?epid=1328638447&hash=item56a5d024b7:g:bgMAAOSwDFBaGw-~:sc:USPSPriorityMailPad dedFlatRateEnvelope !62801!US!-1

[Roebling3]

I'm with Mr. Roper. The only thing I beat him with is older.
I sold engineering time, process equipment and servicing. Most nights I was driving, flying, fixing or installing equipment. One day I decided to empty the trunk. For whatever reason my luck changed completely. I was no longer busting my a** trying to make people smile.
I won't take a mc with tubed tires out of town. Fixing a flat on a wire wheeled, late model Guzzi (SSSArms excepted), is best left to the next owner, IMNSHO. A center stand is nearly a hoax in itself; unless it's a chain drive; or is it just bad knees? 
Cripes! I've been lucky.  R3~ 

[LowRyter]

Get one of those allen wrench tools (metric) that folds like a mini leatherman (I think they're $5 at HF).  Mini LED flashlight.  Air gauge.  Carry some spare relays and perhaps a headlight bulb.

Stop and Go tire plug kit and mini air compressor. (most important, hopefully you have tubeless tires)

I keep some spray cleaner and rags in my tank bag.

They're usually a lot of cool multi tools at HF and Cycle Gear that are cheap, useful and disposable. 

[Dharma Bum]

This is one of those threads that could quickly degenerate into an oil thread.  It seems like everyone's experience is different and is colored perhaps by what issues they have run into in the past.  I think you need to be realistic and in touch with what your actual capabilities to fix something on the road are.  When I toured on my Cali, it seemed like I carried enough tools to overhaul the whole bike and never had a breakdown until last summer.  My bike started bucking and misfiring during the Sturgis rally, and I rode twenty miles to my daughter's in law's cabin where we were staying running on one cylinder.  I pulled the bike into the garage and checked connections with my multi meter, fiddled with the relays and went to check the timing sensor.  I had a bunch of allen wrenches in my kit, but not the one I needed to remove the sensor!  luckily the in laws had a small set of wrenches that fit and I was back up and running.
With my new (to me) Breva, I plan on reviewing carefully critical maintenance needs and making sure I have the proper tools with me.  Things like the allen wrench needed to pull off the footpeg mounts to access the transmission end of the clutch cable.  Can't change the spare cable if you can't get to it.

[Idontwantapickle]

Leatherman
Tire repair kit if tubeless
Allen wrenches
Flashlight

If that won’t fix it take it to a safe place and do it right. I used to do road service and the first step is get the hell away from the road! It’s very dangerous to be roadside but y’all knew that already, right?

Lots of good advice here, I’m sure that you can sus out what’s right for you!

Hunter

[SmithSwede]

I suggest a quart of water.  Seriously.  If you break down in the middle of nowhere and it is hot, you first need to take care of yourself.

It is my understanding that the two most common reasons for breakdowns is something to do with the battery (or some other stupid electrical problem).  And flat tires.  So if you cover those, you have covered most of the threat.  Keep your battery fresh, electrical connections clean and tight, and have a good tire patch kit.  I've been thinking about getting one of those remote battery jump starting things. 
 
I suggest you carry two spark plugs.  I've had to use two of them before, when a frog-drowning rain got water into my spark plug caps.  Of course, it is even better to seal the caps!

Definitely need a good flashlight.  Suggest a small coil of strong wire, along with the zip ties.
 
I personally disagree about the side-stand and more aggressive repair stuff.  If I cannot patch a tubeless tire on the side of the road, I am not going to attempt removing it.  That is hard enough to do at home on a lift with all my tools.  I figure it is tow truck time.

[Testarossa]

For the newer bikes (Mille and F650) I carry the minimum. That includes a set of Allen keys to re-adjust the bars/levers/mirrors for comfort on a long trip (sometimes a small change in position can be a big relief).

For the older bikes a real tool kit is necessary -- at one time or another I've used pretty much everything mentioned above except the tire-patch stuff, and always gotten home without assistance.

[Roebling3]

And BTW: If you have to pull the rear wheel (OMG). Center stand or not, you should practice in a comfy place and catalog all the tools you need. W/out dismantling the final drive or deflating and re-inflating the tire I've not been able to extract the rear wheel from the bike. Just sayin'  R3~

[drawnverybadly]

Tire plug kit and a lithium battery jumper, thats my minimum.

https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Go-1001-Pocket-Plugger/dp/B001BBSD9C/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1528481411&sr=8-7&keywords=tire+plug+kit+motorcycle

https://www.amazon.com/Antigravity-Batteries-AG-XP-10-Multi-Function-Starter/dp/B00MQ5Z5F2/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1528481431&sr=1-2&keywords=battery+jumper+anti+gravity

[guzzimatic]

6 in.vice grip locking pliers! They fix stuff you can't even imagine ...

[JeffOlson]

This is a great thread!

I suppose it really depends upon how capable you are and how far you will be from civilization.

Me, I am not very capable, and I rarely venture far from civilization. Consequently, my cell phone, some cash, and my debit card are all I should ever really need (though I do have a tire patch kit and CO2 cartridges under the seat of my Norge).

I especially like the suggestions of packing duct tape and some bare wire!

[timax]

What would be good to carry is dependant on where and for how long you ride.
Is this for morning rides close to home , day trips or overnighter well away from everyone?
Are you alone or with pillion or luggage?
My minimum is a good multi tool with pliers and 3 hex  keys. 4-6-8 i think it is.
With this i can tighten up most things that may rattle loose or twist some wire around something to bodge a repair.
Its dropping the bike more than breakdown i worry about. A simple bike laydown because you stopped  on uneven loose gravel or something stupid  can damage a gear lever or peg-exhaust etc. Being able to bodge up something to get home and fix properly is what i want. Some things take up no weight or room and so duct tapping some cable ties or allen keys to a frame tube under the seat or to the base of the storage compartment. Tape your spare fuses the same way if there are no spares in a holder under there??? I have no idea about that.
I have travelled with rear shock adjusters but only when we went on a 2 week ride with gear and a base for 5 days. I wanted to back off the springs once we were done with the luggage to have more fun on the roads where we were. They were alloy ones and didnt weigh much either.
  Then it comes to the main problem!!! How to fix a flat.
I have spoked wheels and have just made them tubeless with an "outex" kit so i can use plugs. More than that and im history. I do have a centre stand and have carried Motion-Pro alloy spoons with the right size spanner on one end plus a tube repair kit and mini hand pump for big tripswhen i had tubes. You also need to add a 7mm allen or t45 torx for the front calliper plus i think a 10mm allen and 14mm front axle one also. I practiced at home before that trip also so i knew i could do it. Travelling with wife on the back over a hard earned xmas holiday = being prepared to save disaster.
Tape some headache tabs under the seat also. Nothing worse than riding with a headache.