What is in your tool kit?

[TejasNW]

A lot of experienced riders on this site.  I would be interested in everyone's wisdom putting together a roadside tool kit for a guzzi. 

If I recall, the relays at the fuse bus are interchangeable so a spare is appropriate.  Common tools and sizes?  Never personally plugged a tire, are plug kits practical or are modern tubeless tires patched effectively?  Anyone care to share what they carry; or what they feel is a good idea?

[Dirk_S]

Definitely a couple threads exist on this topic. Feel free to get a jump start on reading them as you’ve no doubt reopened the Pandora’s Box of opinions, ranging from “who works on their bikes?” to “I’m prepared to tear down, rebuild, and reseal the entire machine on the side of the road WITH torque specs”

[TejasNW]

Oppss.  Did not mean to open that can of worms.  Life is too short for the "taste great/less filling" debate.   

[LowRyter]

yes, get a Stop and Go tire plug kit and portable electric air pump like a Slime pump.  Install the proper connection to your battery to run the pump. 

[JJ]

Oppss.  Did not mean to open that can of worms.  Life is too short for the "taste great/less filling" debate.   

There is only one other "thread" that tops the "What's In You Tool Kit?"...and that is the legendary: 

"Oh No...not another Oil Thread" debate!!

 

[Scout63]

I’m still game for this topic.  Rather than list the whole kit, which is a BMW rollup in my backpack, the most important pieces are zip ties, spare levers and metric wrenches.  Also extra cash and my Hagerty’s tow card.

[John A]

What kind of trips do you do?  That really decides it.  A test light is good, some miscellaneous fasteners, a small vice grips. Allen wrenches,  some spanners :8, 10, 11,13 17,19  A spare clutch cable ,crescent wrench, flashlight, screwdrivers. Small fire extinguisher. Tire stuff.  That’s some of the stuff that’s always on the bike and then I vary it according to the trip and mechanical condition of the bike. I have a sidecar so I tend to bring things to fix other people’s bikes as well

[Dukedesmo]

Quote from: John A on Today at 03:51:43 AM

What kind of trips do you do?  That really decides it.  A test light is good, some miscellaneous fasteners, a small vice grips. Allen wrenches,  some spanners :8, 10, 11,13 17,19  A spare clutch cable ,crescent wrench, flashlight, screwdrivers. Small fire extinguisher. Tire stuff.  That’s some of the stuff that’s always on the bike and then I vary it according to the trip and mechanical condition of the bike. I have a sidecar so I tend to bring things to fix other people’s bikes as well

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ _______

I reckon you need a sidecar to carry all that stuff...     

[SIR REAL ED]

What about some extra oil?

What kind?

[guzziart]

I hope I don't jinx myself now but since I ceased owning HD's in the early 80's, I run with the tools provided with the bike from the manufacturer and don't recall ever using them.  On my tubeless tire equipped bikes I carry rope plugs but no tire pump, have roadside assistance through my insurer and various club memberships.  I've used rope plugs over the years but never the roadside assistance.  I've always carried a multi purpose tool on my Wing in addition to the factory tool kit but never needed either.  I do carry a set of motorcycle jumper cables on my '72 eldo, just in case, I'm running an eleven year old battery in it .  I guess I've been lucky so far.

[John A]

 
It’s ballast, I never need that stuff and besides I won’t have what I need if I was to look in there

[Perazzimx14]

Its not as important as what is in your tool kit as what tools in your tool kit can you effectively use.

I see so many folks that carry a 35lb tool roll with everything they'd need to rebuild the bike but cannot turn a screwdriver to save their life.

For me over the years I've paired down what I take with me. A few hand tools to tighten up loose fasteners or remove the wheels a multi blade screwdriver, tire plugger and a small 12v air compressor. I've come to the realization a flat tire is about the most I can effectively deal with. While I'm no stranger to turning a wrench if I don't carry replacment parts to accompany the wrenches it just carrying around dead weight.

After to a tire plugger and 12v compressor a credit card and cell phone is probably the next best thing to have with you.

[chuck peterson]

Spare spark plug and cap. Guzzi is particularly suited to breaking both on simple drop. They are sticking right out in the breeze..well the new ones less so with I guess

[JJ]

OK...just for S&G's... ...attached is the leather tool roll and the tools enclosed on the rear rack of my '98 Centauro GT which I carry with me all the time.  You can recognize most all of these

For longer trips, I have another pouch that fits in my tank bag or tail bag with the gas siphon, the tire repair kit, the jumper cables, spare oil, etc.









I can tell you from experience of my many years riding Big Twin Harley's, and with other riders on Harley's, the Mini-Duct Tape, hose clamps, tie wraps, and BAILING WIRE was the items most used!!
Because as we all know, VIBRATION is the Achilles Heal of all motorcycles....

[centauro]

A few turns of wrapped duct tape around the screwdriver shank. In a pinch it would serve as electrical tape or temporarily patch a cracked and leaking fuel hose. Along with a sharp knife or razor blade, it could even make a temporary gasket.....

[JJ]

A few turns of wrapped duct tape around the screwdriver shank. In a pinch it would serve as electrical tape or temporarily patch a cracked and leaking fuel hose. Along with a sharp knife or razor blade, it could even make a temporary gasket.....

My riding buddies laugh when I pull out the ol' Mini-Duct Tape (from Aerostich), but over the years, on many a Road Trip,  I have temporarily repaired everything from sunglasses to helmet visors to exhaust pipes and MORE!!!!

[SmithSwede]

As others have said, pump and tire plug stuff for sure.  Basic hand tools, Allen wrenches.  Spark plug wrench and extra plugs.  WD-40 for drying wet electrics.  Fuses and maybe a relay.  Zip ties and baling wire.  Duct tape. On a long trip I’ll carry a spare clutch cable. 

When you do basic work on your bike, keep a list of what tools you actually use and consider taking those. 

I believe that more than 90% of roadside breakdowns are tire or battery/electrical related.   So avoid those problems and you likely won’t break down.  Keep a known good, fairly fresh battery in the bike with regularly cleaned connectors.  Good tires and the tools to plug a leak. 

Looking back over the years I’ve had more trouble and been stopped/stranded on the road most often by failed batteries.  I’m now pretty aggressive about changing them.  Every 3 years, even if they seem “ok.”   It is the “ok” ones that work well enough to get you stranded far away. 

Check with your insurance company to see if they offer roadside assistance specifically for motorcycles.  That’s actually pretty cheap. 

And don’t forget this forum.  Somebody here will very likely be able to talk you through a roadside repair, or even pick you up or send help. 

[slopokes]

Enough already...

[JJ]

CHEERS!! 

Of course, let's not forget the ol' Credit Card and Mobile Phone...assuming you have cell service in your stranded area!!

[John A]

Our auto insurance has a RV road service package that covers motorcycles. The way it works is I pay the towing services and the insurance pays me. I’ve used it a few times even though I like to be as self sufficient as possible. I don’t remember what it costs but it was reasonable and covers anything I ride or drive. The last time I used it was when the retaining bolt for the little spacer on the Cush drive retainer came out near Mom’s house, about five miles from my place. I didn’t know what had happened but I had felt it and knew it needed attention. A flatbed came in 30 minutes and brought me to my shop, no trouble. The bolt, a short 5mm , had went through the space between the wheel and the drive housing. It gouged aluminum along the way but didn’t damage anything. Red locktite now.

[Irishflyer]

Definitely a couple threads exist on this topic. Feel free to get a jump start on reading them as you’ve no doubt reopened the Pandora’s Box of opinions, ranging from “who works on their bikes?” to “I’m prepared to tear down, rebuild, and reseal the entire machine on the side of the road WITH torque specs”

Wait, you guys use torque specs?..