Motorcycle Tool Kit

[Jeff]

I've been working on this kit since we're planning a 3000mi trip in the fall. I think I'm on the right path. Volume & weight are serious considerations, along with functionality and durability. The tools will be split between two side panniers. The knife, well, that's another story

 

[omr]

is that a tire plug kit on the top right ?

i dont know what kind of bike you ride but i dont see any allen wrenches , all my brakes and my plastics all need an allen wrench..

oh and zipties are a great road side emergency tool ..lol

 

[Jeff]

is that a tire plug kit on the top right ?

1/4" Socket & Bit Set. Tire plug kit is on the other bike, I have the tools.

Already I see some overkill. I think the Bit-Check set is duplicated in the Facom set.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Very nice!

Two comments; hammer/mallet, unless that's what that red "T" handle thing is, and Vise-Grips - I know.... "there is a right tool for every job and it ain't vise grips" But, they are so versatile and can do a lot of things when you don't have the right tool.

 

[omr]

3000 miles is a long ride , i hope you got a nice seat , take some pics and post them up when you get done ..

 

[ZRX61]

They have some nice kits here:
www.whitehorsepress.com

 

[american lockpicker]

What do you think of the Leatherman?

 

[Jeff]

What do you think of the Leatherman?

Nice tool, but it is huge.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Got something to pull spark plugs? Spare plugs? I also second zip ties. I've got a smushed roll of black tape and some duct tape too in my kit. Otherwise, looks great.

 

[Chuckw]

I also carry a spare master link,bailing wire, electrical tape, a couple of real screwdrivers, spare wire, and some spare battey bolts.

 

[mngundog]

Why the razor blade knife when the leatherman has a decent blade? I would through in a cresent instead.

 

[ZRX61]

Take your spare key, wrapped in electrical tape & put it inside the back of one of the turn signals. Then if you lose your key, all you need to get going is a philips to get to the spare instead of waiting on a locksmith etc.

 

[Bran Diezel]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_133996-8749...RL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=task+force&page=3&facetInfo=

got these on sale right now for $5 and it fits almost everything on my yamaha and fits under the seat

 

[Toolhorder]

Must be Harley riders, lol

My bike doesn't have room for any tools nor would I ever need them since it's Japanese.

 

[punkenduro]

pending what you ride, remember tools to get the tire off the bike. there are reasons outside of flats you might need to get a tire off. also bailing wire can be very useful in a pinch. vice grips can be a shifter if need be. if you have worked on your bike, basicly bring anything you have used at all. ive done many motorcycle trips and seen a lot go wrong, between flats, water in the cylinder, tents/sleeping bags in the chain/rear brake, bags melting on exhaust....

you on advrider at all?

 

[Jeff]

Must be Harley riders, lol

My bike doesn't have room for any tools nor would I ever need them since it's Japanese.

Not Harleys, Japanese like yours and a British bike. Kawasaki KLR650, Suzuki V-Strom, and a Triumph Tiger. All with full touring kits and capable of off-roading. This ain't no 'ride 150 miles and stay at the Days Inn' thing. We plan to be under the stars every night.

 

[Jeff]

pending what you ride, remember tools to get the tire off the bike. there are reasons outside of flats you might need to get a tire off. also bailing wire can be very useful in a pinch. vice grips can be a shifter if need be. if you have worked on your bike, basicly bring anything you have used at all. ive done many motorcycle trips and seen a lot go wrong, between flats, water in the cylinder, tents/sleeping bags in the chain/rear brake, bags melting on exhaust....

you on advrider at all?

Thanks! This is why I'm getting input.

I am on advrider, but mostly lurk & learn. Too busy to keep with the the traffic.

 

[Avgas]

lose the linemans pliers

 

[Jeff]

Ok, so far I'm dropping the:

utility knife
Bit-Check set
lineman's pliers

 

[Don 18]

Do those gearwrenches cover all of your sizes? Are there hex bits hiding in one of those kits? Do you need a spanner for the steering head bearings? Wire strippers are a good thing too

edit -- tire valve core tool won't take up any room at all either.

 

[knobby]

perhaps 3,4,5 and 6mm t handle hex wrenches

 

[Jeff]

I think the Facom Nano will work.

 

[Guzzi]

Like others have said, a roll of electrical tape and a few zip ties are good to have. Also add in a couple of spare fuses and a few allen keys in the most common sizes. I know you have hex drivers, but there are places on a bike you can only get to with an allen key and they take up no space. All three bikes are chain drive, so make sure you have what you need to adjust all three chains.

Where are you headed?

 

[UncleJoe]

Take the tools you have now and lay them out in the shop on a table. Now start at the front of your bike and slowly move to the rear touching every fastener and check for tightness. As you use a tool place it on a different table. If you come to a fastener you do not have a tool for then get that tool and place it on the needed too table. Now when you are done you will have a table with the tools you need for your bike and no more. I do this routine a few weeks before each trip and then I know that all the fasteners are tight and snug and that I have my complete tool kit.

Only you can decide if you want to fix a part on the road or call for service. Some guys go cross country with nothing more than a cell phone and credit card.

Here is what I routinely carry on long trips. I have tweaked this list over time to fit my needs but it may help others

Combo screwdriver
Sparkplug wrench
axle wrench
allen wrench sockets in the sizes I need only not a complete set
8 mm ratchet wrench (my bike has covers over the spark plugs that are difficult to get off without this tool)
Light bulb set for bike
Duct tape (flat, purchased at a hunting store)
electrical tape
12 gauge wire
Small pocket sized multimeter
test leads with alligator clips
Small kit with Pos-i-Tap and Pos-i-lock connectors (google it great rfor emergency electrical repairs) Fuses
Tire plugs, small Slime compressor, tire valve core and core tool
Stiff wire brush for cleaning terminals
small piece of sand paper for cleaning battery terminals
spark plug gap tool
spark plug (always carried, never needed)
JB Weld, Fixed a buddies broken mirror stem once
loctite
silicone sealer
brake squeal eliminator packet
dielectric grease packet
paper oil funnel

This will cover most anything and takes up very little room

 

[Jeff]

Where are you headed?

From Florida up the coastal highways to Maine, then to upstate NY, then down through the Appalachian Mountains towards New Orleans, then home.

Take the tools you have now and lay them out in the shop on a table. Now start at the front of your bike and slowly move to the rear touching every fastener and check for tightness. As you use a tool place it on a different table. If you come to a fastener you do not have a tool for then get that tool and place it on the needed too table. Now when you are done you will have a table with the tools you need for your bike and no more. I do this routine a few weeks before each trip and then I know that all the fasteners are tight and snug and that I have my complete tool kit.

Only you can decide if you want to fix a part on the road or call for service. Some guys go cross country with nothing more than a cell phone and credit card.

Here is what I routinely carry on long trips. I have tweaked this list over time to fit my needs but it may help others

Combo screwdriver
Sparkplug wrench
axle wrench
allen wrench sockets in the sizes I need only not a complete set
8 mm ratchet wrench (my bike has covers over the spark plugs that are difficult to get off without this tool)
Light bulb set for bike
Duct tape (flat, purchased at a hunting store)
electrical tape
12 gauge wire
Small pocket sized multimeter
test leads with alligator clips
Small kit with Pos-i-Tap and Pos-i-lock connectors (google it great rfor emergency electrical repairs) Fuses
Tire plugs, small Slime compressor, tire valve core and core tool
Stiff wire brush for cleaning terminals
small piece of sand paper for cleaning battery terminals
spark plug gap tool
spark plug (always carried, never needed)
JB Weld, Fixed a buddies broken mirror stem once
loctite
silicone sealer
brake squeal eliminator packet
dielectric grease packet
paper oil funnel

This will cover most anything and takes up very little room

Sound advice, thanks.