Traveling Tools

[SmithSwede]

I’m sure this topic has been discussed before, but kindly give me your current wisdom my friends. What tools and spare parts do you think are near required to take on long, cross state trips?

Looking back on my records, the things that have stopped me were tire problems and bad spark plugs or spark caps and wires (on the Guzzi V-7).  Some stuff was just annoying and easily fixed with a screwdriver or pliers (loose parts, clutch lock nut out of adjustment, etc.). Nevertheless, I routinely packed about 15 pounds of assorted tools and spare parts for years, spark plugs, caps, feeler gauges, WD-40, screws, tubing, 3/8” socket and a bunch of sockets, etc.

Now I’m on a modern Kawasaki 900 I-4.  I’m thinking I’m ok just taking an air pump, tubeless tire repair kit, a spare master link for the drive chain, some spare fuses, some jumper wire, pliers, some baling wire and duct tape. 

What’s in your tool kit?  And why?

Is this too light?  Am I tempting fate?  Or is this really all you need in a practical sense (along with a healthy credit card). 

[pehayes]

I wish I had all of the fuel that I wasted carting around a big bag of tools for the last 50 years.  :-(

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[fubar guzzi]

        Hello Swede,I too took along a full bag of tools----seems what I needed I didn't have anyway but sure as hell the Guzzi would fail anyway         now I ride a Jap bike + it's amazing it doesn't need anything----just put 1200 mi.on+ not so much as a burp +45 mpg,just saying !!!!   

[chuck peterson]

Spark plug caps…

For when your foot slips and the bike decides to take a nap on the pavement, snapping a cap 1500 miles from home…

[kballowe]

Duct tape, tiny can of WD-40, wrench and socket set, pliers (make sure to have needle nose also) a couple of screwdrivers, spare fuses, tire plugs and compressor.  LOL - fence wire.  Chain lube for that Kawasaki.

Mastercard.

[Ncdan]

Needle nose vice grips, medium size adjustable wrench, tire plug kit, jump start pack, wire, electrical tape, rubber gloves and most importantly, my leatherman tool in pocket and AAA card in wallet.

[PJPR01]

A few sockets - the most common ones including the one for the rear wheel
A few metric wrenches - the most commonly used
Philips/flat head screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
Allen wrench set
Roll of electrical tape
Tire patch kit with plugs/grease
Air compressor
Pair of spark plugs and valve cover gaskets

Other than the gaskets, all fits into a nice small bag, tucked into the panniers.   If something happens beyond that, buy it on the road.

[Gliderjohn]

Over the years I have gone from enough crap along to overhaul the motor to currently a multitool, a few critical hex wrenches, tire kit and pump, air pressure gauge and windshield cleaner.
GliderJohn

[LowRyter]

Hope you keep a couple of spare relays in your tankbag. 

[pressureangle]

I carry only a small set of allens, for seat removal and valve adjustment. 11mm short wrench for same. My front axle takes a spanner, so a peg socket appropriately sized in 3/8" drive. 10mm allen for rear axle. Spare plug caps (from hard experience) Spare relays, spare fuses. Pocket size screwdriver.

Anything else I may need, I'll buy at a pawn shop or Harbor Freight. If it's more serious than that out on the road, it's a proper shop or a trip home by truck.

[AJ Huff]

Credit card and smart phone.

-AJ

[jcctx]

Credit card and smart phone.

-AJ

What he said!!

[twowheeladdict]

Doubt the master link is needed.

On my Kawasakis all I have needed was chain lube, and tools to adjust the chain if the trip was several thousand miles.  Most of my Kawasaki touring bike were shaft or belt drive, then all I ever needed was a fuse and electric tape for a chafed wire running in the tank tunnel.  The bikes ranged from 30,000 to 60,000 miles when we parted ways so can't say what you might need beyond that.

Of course proper pre-trip maintenance was performed.

[Vagrant]

good quality 6" crescent wrench for when you knock the mirrors loose, air pump and plug kit with good needle nose, credit card. phone and the ramps in the back of the pickup truck in case the wife needs to retrieve me. But your Kawi does need the chain lube.

[Motormike]

It really depends on how far from home you ride the bike. The odds of a modern Japanese motorcycle failing to the point of stranding you on the road is infinitesimally small.  I wouldn't carry any "real" tools beyond a tire repair kit. However, if you're touring on a chain-drive motorcycle, tools to adjust the chain might be a good idea.   You are far more likely to need to repair a broken turn signal or some such plastic part after a careless drop in a parking lot rather than suffer a mechanical breakdown.  So a small role of duct tape and a few zip ties under the seat won't hurt.

[Tom]

        Hello Swede,I too took along a full bag of tools----seems what I needed I didn't have anyway but sure as hell the Guzzi would fail anyway         now I ride a Japanese bike + it's amazing it doesn't need anything----just put 1200 mi.on+ not so much as a burp +45 mpg,just saying !!!!   

Fixed it for you.

[Scout63]

Around town I carry an old BMW roll up tool kit and add cotter pins, master links, a few fuses and plenty of zip ties.  On the /5 I carry a spare clutch cable zipped in place next to the original. If I were traveling longer distances I would add a good test light, spare levers, a tire plug kit and a few hundred dollars stuffed in there

[Moparnut72]

The /5 tool kit was amazing. I kept it after I sold the bike. My used /6 that  replaced the /5 didn't have one.
kk

[guzziart]

Nothing much in the way of tools compared to what I had to tote around when I was riding HD's.
Mostly: WW tire plug kit, pressure gauge & tiny 1st aid kit
Eldo: Plugs, caps, multi tool, elect tape, mech. wire & a thing or two of other items.
I carry roadside assist through AMA & my vehicle insurance so between that and my credit card I should be OK.  I aint changing tires or installing tubes by the roadside or major repairs out there, been there, done that and won't do it ever again.  Roadside assist will bring gas, air and tow if needed, I'm good with that.

[JJ]

This is what I carry...obvious from the photo...and why?  Because I ride a 24-year old Moto Guzzi!!    Just also add mobile phone / credit cards and you are good to GO!

[yackee]

Electrical tape, a few spare electrical connectors, multi-tool, Allen wrenches suitable for the valve covers, some zip ties, small spark plug wrench; points and associated bits in case the Dyna III dies, some random short bits of electrical wire. I'm not a weapons/self-defense guy, but I also started carrying a Gerber knife, just in case I break down in a bad neck of the woods. My wife makes fun of me for that.

I put in a tiny lithium starter battery that leaves plenty of room under the seat for the tools, which I keep in a small waterproof bag.

Of all the above, I can't imagine not traveling with a good multi-tool.

[Dirk_S]

This is what I carry...obvious from the photo...and why?  Because I ride a 24-year old Moto Guzzi!!

Curious, JJ--why take up real estate with hose clamps if you have plastic cable ties? Can even purchase the metal ties if you're concerned with heat or need more strength.

[Tom]

Don't confuse him.  He has his plan.    

[Scout63]

Cmon - JJ was the only one who actually unloaded and photographed his tool kit. Mine was just theoretical.

[JJ]

Curious, JJ--why take up real estate with hose clamps if you have plastic cable ties? Can even purchase the metal ties if you're concerned with heat or need more strength.

The hose clamps are just probably a carry over from my years of riding "vibrating" Big Twin Harley's!

[JJ]

Don't confuse him.  He has his plan.   

Yes...Think of McGyver....   You never know what you need when someone is broken down on the side of the road....

I once repaired a pair of prescription sunglasses, (so he could continue riding), for a fellow biker with "MINI-DUCT-TAPE" on a Road Trip to San Diego!!!  He would have been stranded otherwise....

[kballowe]

I attach the trailer to the truck, and put some $$$ in the center console for fuel, snacks, etc.

Then I hide the key somewhere and take a picture of the hiding place. 

In case of a breakdown, I call around to see which one of my best friends wants to get the truck and come get me. 

 

[JJ]

I attach the trailer to the truck, and put some $$$ in the center console for fuel, snacks, etc.

Then I hide the key somewhere and take a picture of the hiding place. 

In case of a breakdown, I call around to see which one of my best friends wants to get the truck and come get me. 

 

Yes...I have two local motorcycle friends that both have trailers...and they have been exercised on occasion over the last few years!

[LowRyter]

I carry only a small set of allens, for seat removal and valve adjustment. 11mm short wrench for same. My front axle takes a spanner, so a peg socket appropriately sized in 3/8" drive. 10mm allen for rear axle. Spare plug caps (from hard experience) Spare relays, spare fuses. Pocket size screwdriver.

Anything else I may need, I'll buy at a pawn shop or Harbor Freight. If it's more serious than that out on the road, it's a proper shop or a trip home by truck.

You might consider replacing the front wheel fastener with a hex nut.  It's a pretty common change and requiring no special tool thereafter.

[pressureangle]

You might consider replacing the front wheel fastener with a hex nut.  It's a pretty common change and requiring no special tool thereafter.

Yeah that's on the long list, but who remembers when the nut is in your hand? Maybe I'll take a moment to check the size today.