What should I have in my on-bike tool kit?

BigDan

BigDan

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Hi all,

I've done a search and can't find a similar thread, please do link me if I am reposting though.

I'd just like a list of everything I need to carry on the bike - aside from what I currently carry, a credit card and an AA membership :blast

Heres the storage I have;
WwhQ2PJ.jpg


The reg plate box can't take heavy loads so I've put electrical tape, cable ties, bungy rope and my USB charging stuff in there. The side tool box is currently empty so I want to get everything I need in there.

Any advice much appreciated :)
 
Please tell me where you got that Number plate box! I also really like the side panels protecting rider from rear wheel fling. This is something i have been looking for myself as i live in crud infested Devon!
 
Sorry, this pic is from the day I collected the bike! Previous owner (Qjumper of this parish) did all the mods and I'm bloody glad he did! Bikes looks great :D :beerjug: :cool:
 
It depends on what you want to do. A puncture repair kit+some way of pumping the plugged tyre. If you have tubes you are carting levers and correct tools to remove wheels. What else are you going to do? Are you going far? What is your mechanical ability? No point in carrying stuf you can't use. Jjh
 
Tools and stuff....... it depends where you are going and how competent you are. When in the UK where I have breakdown cover I don't really need to carry anything much - the Torx spanners supplied by BMW, some insulation and duck tape, a multi tool, some double sided Velcro, a few nots bolts and washers chucked into the tool tray under the seat, and a few cable ties. This covers tightening something that's come loose, and maybe bodging a temporary repair for bikes plastics, or whatever.

But, when venturing farther afield I add enough to do a "field service", remove wheels and tyres, blow up tyres, bodge something electrical back together, and to undo or tighten every fastener on the bike. It all goes in the same two tool cases you have and under the seat. That means the two tool tubes I have fitted to the crash bars are free for carrying bottles of whisky :)

Edit: add tyre plug kit, and GS911 + Laptop. Actually I didn't bother with the gs911 on my last big trip but only coz my laptop was bust.

Double edit: in nearly 40,000 miles the only tool I have NEEDED was the T30 torx driver to tighten the left hand mirror bracket.


Sent from my iPhone with a smile :)
 
Credit card, RAC/AA membership and mobile phone. Once you start carrying tools it's really hard to know where to stop.
 
Maybe whack a chain and lock in there unless of a mechanical mind. Never bothered with any tools myself, though a torx Allen key set is useful to have around with a bmw. Tyre repair kit and slime compressor is something I carry if off abroad.

Alternatively, take the thing off n stick it on eBay or the classifieds n release some cash for beers :D
 
Good ideas and advice from everyone, thanks. I'm ok with basic stuff but not keen on indepth engine work (valve shims and what not...).

Damien said:
Have a look here.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...-for-1200GS-Owners-***-Updated-31st-July-2012
Click to expand...

Much appreciated, really like the idea of changing the E8 and E10 torx to something more common (hex or allen), and I have one of those spindle keys for the front wheel in the garage somewhere. Gonna order myself a puncture repair kit, epoxy metal and a spare torx set

I just don't like being stuck somewhere for hours waiting for the useless AA.

Thanks again chaps :)
 
Edward said:
What if there is no mobile phone signal where you breakdown?
Click to expand...

What if .......

If your aunty had a pair of balls she'd be your uncle :D

Sods Law prevails .... doesn't matter what you carry, it'll be something that you don't have that will be needed :blast

:beerjug:
 
I have a similar 'behind the right hand pannier' tool box. In that I have a tyre compressor and plugging kit, spare headlight bulbs, a small first aid kit, a ziplock bag of some spare nuts and bolts a leatherman and some cable ties. This plus the standard tool kit (with a couple of additions that I've squeezed in - a couple of extra spanners and some small edge cutters) does me for normal UK riding around.

For European trips, I add a 1/4" ratchet to the standard tool kit (just fits in along with the blocking bar from the U lock), a selection of torx, screwdriver and hex bits in a ziplock bag taped to where the owners manual should go and a small bag in the top box containing a few 1/4" drive sockets, a roll of duct tape and a GS911. Oh, and 2 litres of oil as my new (to me) TC is a drinker at the moment (although improving)...

I've just returned from two weeks in France and Corsica and the only time I needed tools was when I dropped the bike at a standstill with the screen hitting a wall as it fell. This meant I had to remove the screen and upper mounting bar, bend the bar back into shape and put it all back together using a couple of cable ties to replace one of the lower screen mounting lugs. Ironically the standard tool kit was fine for this :rolleyes:
 
I always carry the same stuff wherever i go and whichever bike i'm riding. Here's the essentials in my old Guzzi panniers. proved invaluable on a trip to Spain back in 2012. The extension reel is a 10 metre jobbie, no room for a longer one and the fabric conditioner is non bio.

Don't forget to test the fire alarm battery if you take one, people usually forget in the all the holiday excitement . Mine had actually gone flat, but lucky for me there were no fires wherever i stayed so i got away lightly on this trip, but it could've been a very different story, so a lesson learnt for me.

And the spanish ommlette is optional, taken in this case because i was going to Spain and i don't like real spanish food, prefer the tesco spanish range, much more authentic.

124jyn8.jpg


And don't overload your storage space, keep some room for gifts to bring back. ...... On my return i brought back some traditional spanish vegetables, unfortunately it was out of season for a full set of root vegetables.
I didn't need the "Pure, sunflower spread", but you know what it's like, it's that old scenario "if you don't take it you'll need it, but if you do take a tub you'll not need it".

1zdb2c6.jpg


In the other pannier i had puncturey stuff for tubed tyres. The only tool i carried was an adjustable spanner. It's an old Guzzi, why would i need anything else.

2miqut.jpg
 
Does it do more mpg with the fabric conditioner mix :D how about a kitchen sink fitted across the passenger seat :P

Joking aside just take what you feel you need for the type of journey your doing,basic to more involved job tools plus puncture kit & compressor etc.
 
Micky said:
Sods Law prevails .... doesn't matter what you carry, it'll be something that you don't have that will be needed :blast

:beerjug:
Click to expand...

My point exactly, though on foreign trips I do carry a puncture repair kit. I've broken down a few times on various bikes and none of the faults were repairable at the roadside.
 
Damien said:
Have a look here.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...-for-1200GS-Owners-***-Updated-31st-July-2012
Click to expand...

What does that link show in relation to a "must have" list of tools to carry? I must be having a bad day as all I can see is this:


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
►►► Useful links and How-to Guides for 1200GS Owners *** Updated 31st July 2012
We all know you can never spend too much time discussing Oil. Here are two threads on the subject as a starter....

- Wapping's Oil Explanation Thread
- A December 2009 Oil discussion
- An Opie Oils thread on erm.......Oil......


Other Interesting Threads

- 1200 Final Drive oil change with pics

- How to change a fuel level sensor - thanks to Spike

- Official Bemvv Guide to Final Drives

- Dave the Driver fixing a Nautlius horn to a 2010 GSA

- Fix for a broken headlight bulb clip by NorthLondonCookie

- Spike's great thread on changing a clutch

- Final Drive Failure Register

- 1200SE Register

- Download Owners Manuals From Here

- Mr K's Thread on replacing a starter button.....

- Thunder's great thread on fitting winglet to an 08 1200GS.....

- Possible ways to check for brake failure causes.....

- Wapping's excellent thread on FPC failure workaround.....

- Switched Power - The Easy Way - Another Wapping special on powering electrickery devices on your 1200

- How to make a Canbus GPS cable for a 1200GS

- Bsogri's Great thread on understanding EWS and how it fails......

- More useful EWS dicussion......

- The Insides of a 1200 Final Drive

- Changing a rear tyre on a 1200GSA
================================================================
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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