Roadside Repairs

[Da1sycat]

Now there are a couple of people I could go to directly for an answer, but for wider interest I'm putting this out to the collective.

What would you/do you carry routinely to deal with Roadside breakdowns of your Airhead?

Not the tools, rather the parts. I'm thinking electrical or fuel issues, oil or cable issues.

If you have advice, be as specific as possible rather than "a selection of fuses and relays".

Much appreciated.

 

[nicholsonj2252]

Most important - mobile phone so you can phone a friend or breakdown company

Tie wraps , engine oil , fuses , standard under seat toolkit , puncture kit , air pump

Thus far I've only ever needed the standard toolkit to tighten some loose screws/bolts and a replacement fuse

 

[The Other PaulG]

One of my airheads had a spare clutch cable routed alongside the operating one. I thought that was a bit OTT.

My next airhead didn’t, and on one occasion I had to ride 20 miles home with a broken clutch cable.

Maybe cables are prone to failing without obvious symptoms… or maybe it’s like taking an umbrella with you to make sure it doesn’t rain

 

[scooter paul]

One of my airheads had a spare clutch cable routed alongside the operating one. I thought that was a bit OTT.

My next airhead didn’t, and on one occasion I had to ride 20 miles home with a broken clutch cable.

Maybe cables are prone to failing without obvious symptoms… or maybe it’s like taking an umbrella with you to make sure it doesn’t rain

Airhead clutch cables have a habit of breaking at the handlebar lever end. The casting of the lever recess where the barrel nipple pivots has sharp edges and unless you dress the burrs off with a file eventually it will cut through the wire strand. I always carry a suitable length of inner cable with an appropriate barrel nipple and at the clutch operating arm end use a solderless nipple.
Throttle cables are less likely to break thankfully providing they’re routed correctly.

 

[Gee-]

Most important are Mobile phone, for calling a fiend to help or the breakdown company, head torch to find fault, small toolkit, tie wraps, small pen knife with multiple attachments, roll of insulating tape, standard fuses, puncture repair kit, small handy air compressor, visor cleaner spray, clean cloth, packet of paper tissues.

All those mentioned fit neatly inside my side tool box, some under the seat on my Hexhead. Not sure of your room on an Airhead, perhaps a small rear carrier bag to hold most items.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

I carry a clutch cable (pre-routed on my GSPD), a voltage regulator, light relay, cable ties and a small bag of M6 nuts and bolts. For longer trips a start relay, Haynes Manual, first aid kit, oil, spare key, pump, pressure gauge, insulation tape. Of course a phone and a way to charge it. A multimeter is a great companion, my reading glasses too.
On my last trip to Spain I carried 2 inner tubes, just to ensure I didn't get a puncture. I found that with the 3/4 seat on my R100RS there is an extra storage area inside the seat, as well as the 2 tool trays. Useful.

 

[barny]

If an oil cooler is fitted then an oil cooler bypass pipe. If carrying panniers tape lengths of duct tape inside the lids, they don't take up any room and are always there (unless used).

 

[Da1sycat]

Good information there. I already carry the usual tape, zip ties, tools, puncture kit, emergency light etc. Have ordered up a cable repair kit and will go through the fuses and relays to compile a list to order.

 

[ChasF]

Depends on how far you are planning to travel. On our trip to Cape Town we carried masses of spares but still had to get an exhaust ring spanner and set of piston rings shipped to Suez. Tubeless tyres are easy to repair in the event of a small puncture but the mini tyre levers in the toolkit are close to useless should you need to get the tyre off to fit a tube. Next time I’ll have a bead breaker and some mushroom plugs. Electrical parts - fit a wedge tail ignition. Rear shock - something decent. Clutch and throttle cables obviously.