Tools, and carrying them

[Cigaro]

After being stranded a few weeks ago I'm getting some tools and parts together so I can fix the most common problems myself by the side of the road. So far I've got:

- Socket set
- Adjustable spanner
- Screwdriver set (interchangable bits)
- Two spare inner tubes
- Spare bulbs
- Spare splitlinks
- Gaffer tape
- Insulating tape

Can anyone suggest anything else worth carrying?

Also, I've been quoted around £70 for a topbox - this seems an awful lot (to me at least!) I'm thinking of building one - can you buy the PVC board stuff that the pizzaboy topboxes are made out of? Does anyone know where?

[calum17]

take one or two spark plugs too. if you are putting them in a top box you can go well overboard on tools without it mattering. also - you have spare tubes...can you pump them up? you'll want a pump/air canister for pumping up the tyres. tyre weld would be just as good.
many people will just say 'RAC membership' and as much as i agree yes it's a good idea...not cheap for get you home (£75) and you still have to hang about. personally...i want both - tools and cover.

you should be able to buy plastic from a 'plastic shop' that sells stuff to PVC fitters...fascia boards and that sort of stuff. some will have some PVC. you could even do it in wood then put thin plastic on it to keep it water tight, the wood will give it strength,

[mr.z]

Box - any good army surplus place should have something suitable, if you want something less shitty looking then look around for a second-hand flight case of a suitable size, very solid and light.

Or the cheapest and bigest top box you can find on ebay thats go no keys = cheaper, add padlock.

Provided you have a decent rack on it then be open-minded about the box (indeed, think outside the box ) any office suppler will sell big plastic boxes theyd make perfectly adequate luggage, waterproof as well, dont expect any glances of admiration.

If you considering a pizza box you might just as well get a bag on the back tbh.

tools wise.. solderless nipples and spare cables, spare tubes and tyre fixing gear, split link for the chain, suitable tools for wheel removal, scotchlocks (for temporary wire fixing, also spare 20amp wire). in all honesty the only things that are overly likkey to go that you have a hope of fixing is

tyres
controll cables
chain
electrics
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Itchy]

Mole grips,

general pliers

a spark plug wrench (spark plugs are pointless without this)

cable repairer

cable ties

bigger cable ties

string ,

torch of some kind for light,
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[benjami]

Depending on the size of your top box, a mini moto.

Or maybe some roller blades

[TheShaggyDA]

[edit] bloody server
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Itchy]

a set of allen keys a couple of 6mm ones , they always come in handy

fuses?
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[TheShaggyDA]

Heat shrink tubing and a disposable lighter, or self-amalgamating tape.
Length of tubing, for syphoning, or 1 litre bottle of fuel
In a sealable sandwich bag, or ziploc bag :-
£20 note
Copy of the bike's wiring diagram
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[iooi]

Last one i got was £40 ish from Bradford M/C, which they had on ebay.
Same as This
Only advise i would give is don't rely on the quick release, bolt it to the rack, my previous one decided to quick release on the move.... lucky for me the guy behind managed to stop before he run it over


Just don't overload the box with pointless tools.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Finglonga]

Gaffa tape is all you need.

Just get AA/RAC cover it will pay for itself considering the extra fuel your going to use carrying all that crap around in a top box. I just carry the standard toolkit that came with the bike and a couple of self tapping screws for temporarily sealing punctures.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[craigs23]

Maglight?

[Ichy]

Some rags/ cloths and hand wipes. I just grab a load from KFC. A mobile.

[NSR Mick]

When I went to Germany on the 400 I took a full socket set etc and didnt need any of it.

On the NSR that's more likely to need roadside attention than the GSXR all I carry is a big lock (incase I need to leave it anywhere) and my breakdown card as it's highly unlikely that the recovery driver will have a piston and barrel for an NSR250. and I'm not about to start carrying them with me.
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[Tricolor Fan]

Probably all been mentioned...

Bulbs, multitool, spanners, Allen Keys, insulating tape, gaffer tape, Maglite AA, glowsticks, foil blankets, plug socket, plugs, fuses, cable ties....


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Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

[BorderHooner]

take a spare reliable bike balanced on your head.
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[TUG]

Get as much stuff as you can like mentioned, plug socket, socket set with all the sockets that you would need to save weight, fuses, bulbs, some form of electrical repair kit? Spare brake pads? Well on a bike fitted with pads atleast, allen keys, torx keys (star). spare speedo, clutch and throttle cables. Brake cable?

Lol hows the bike gunna move under all these spare parts?
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[St0rmer66]

[TUG]

[chris-red]

Don't bother with a speedo cable, would you really stop but the side of the road to fix your speedo. Don't bother with brake shoes
keep up with maintainance than rather than take shoes with you.

What you should do is think are all the things you could/would need to do at the side of the road and work out what tools you need. You are not gonna be changing clutch plates or checking valve clearences at the side of the road. You shouldn't need that many tools.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[_Will_]

Electrical tape, AA/Rac membership
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[Ravo]

My dad made a toolbox for his CB350 out of some 3" PVC tubing. He put a screw-on end on one side and used stainless steel cable ties* to hold it on. Cheap as dirt and water tight.

* I can't think of their real name off the top of my head. They're like zip ties. You use a flathead screwdriver or 1/4" hex ratchet to turn a bolt that loosens and tightens them. The setup is ugly as all hell, but it's worked since he got the bike new in '73.

[calum17]

[iooi]

[Tango675]

jez. I just have the tool kit that came with the bike.

Get the bike serviced regularly carry a mobile and become an RAC member. Ride everywhere with your fingures and toes crossed and have your bike blessed by any 2 religions. Lucky heather ziptied to the handlebars is also a wise precortion.


A toolkit is useless. Murphys law states that if you do break down, you will need the one tool you have not got in your toolbox.
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Somebody give that windup merchant a torque wrench..

[Noxious89123]

The toolkit that came with my honda is pretty brilliant, has alot of tools in litle space! I wanna get some duct tape, zip ties and some other stuff together, jut the really versatile things... A knife of some sort is a wonderful tool as well.

If Ray Mears was a biker, he'd have a very sharp knife.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi