Carrying tools on a motorcycle

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Hello,

I can put a small tool bag or pouch in the saddlebags or have a fork mounted roll but wanted to see if any creative minds here have any other ideas to permanently keep a small set of tools on a cruiser. We are talking about 3 or 4 screwdrivers, 7 or 8 sockets, some hex keys, a ratchet, pliers, 4 or 5 combination wrenches, knife, small hammer...

Did anyone mount anything to the frame or have any other ideas?

Thanks.

 

[JBradley500]

I have used a welding rod container for stuff and you can mount it wherever you want, but I mounted it in the same location as this guy, behind front tire. Some of the stuff might not fit, but maybe if you're talking about an 8 oz ball peen and smaller pliers it would all fit.

 

[afmrick]

Isn't traditional on cruisers to have a sissy bar or fork mounted tool bag?
http://www.jpcycles.com/harley-tool-bags

You might find some inspiration with off road/dirt bike tool kits
http://pitposse.com/toolkits.html

..not real helpful.

 

[ttpete]

Go to Lowe's and get a welding rod holder. http://www.lowes.com/pd_367048-1703-KH550_0__?productId=3474867

This type of thing can also be found at a tractor/equipment dealer's. It's used for manual storage on a machine.

 

[firebox40dash5]

What kind of bike you keeping them on, and how much (or how likely) are you thinking you'd have to work on it with them?

I've got a Crank Bros. bicycle multi-tool on mine for screwdrivers and hex keys, one of the newer cheap Leathermans for pliers/knives, a couple Crescent adjustables for the rear axle and chain adjusters, and a chunk of 3/4" hex stock to turn with one for the front axle. That plus a bungee to hold the tank up lives under the seat of my FZ6, mostly in a CLC pouch... but that's pretty much SHTF stuff, or if I just happen to need to do one little thing without bringing tools home from the shop. But you could add a 1/4" ratchet and socket set and be pretty complete for more out-in-the-sticks riding.

edit: Forgot the 8/10/12mm Gearwrenches. Pretty much nothing on the bike I couldn't do with that as far as side of the road repairs. Not necessarily the ideal tool in every case, but they'll do the job.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Thanks folks. I was counting on you all to give me a unique idea and you did!

JBradley500 and ttpete, I love the welding rod holder idea! I will pick one up, paint it black and mount it to the frame.

firebox40dash5, thanks for your list. Over the past few decades of riding, I have learned to carry some key SHTF tools. Those have helped me and some fellow riders quite a few times. I was just looking to get those tools out of my saddlebags.

Thanks again all. I am all set!

 

[littleponderosa]

softail has a huge *** roll up bag that goes on the forks. carry too much stuff, but i can usually fix whatever needs.
basically a full set of 3/8" sockets with ratchet and a 4" extension. 1/4" thru 3/4" combo wrenches. 2 cut apart 10" crescents - bolt together with a couple of aluminum straps cut to fit the handles for the axles. allen wrench set, screwdrivers also used as a front wheel holder, couple of smaller tire irons and a flat repair kit with gas cartidges.
possibly most important in one of the saddle bags is a fluke 12 and some electrical wire and connections.
might not be pretty, but it gets it done. only stranded once in lower iowa - yep, it was actually a $.98 cent part that did me in.
scooter has approx 145-150K in miles. and all rode like i stole it.
ya want, i'll try to get photos of the roll-up.
Bill

 

[littleponderosa]

should have noted the ultra came with a kit. added some stuff, but really not a lot. had to buy another bag to even to wrench loading out between the hard bags however.
ya, i guess i probably added a bunch of stuff to it.
i go nowhere without a set of motorcycle tie-downs including the fork straps. lost a couple of black sets of the fork straps, so i buy the most obnoxious color i can find - present 2 are lime green and horrendous pink. ain't nobody gonna borrow without returning them ugly bastards.
Bill

 

[justme-]

My old Yamaha had a space inder the seat between the battery and the frame rails for a tool pouch (1979), I have a tool roll I put in the saddle bags of my HDsm but been thinking of upgrading my 86 FLT to the newer style seat/battery configuration (under the seat instead of the saddlebag rail) and making a tray to hold a small roll next to the battery. My sporty used to have a bag on the fork but it was destroying the paint and chrome rubbing.