Tools "Sticky"

Bushyar15

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I was thinking a "Tools" sticky would be helpful especially to noobs like me trying to put a kit together. Did a bunch of searches and found a lot of good info on this site, but its all over the place. Thought it'd be cool to have a single place to go. Please add if you think its worthy of becoming a sticky or let it die if you think its a waste, let it die!

I know this is a HUGE area that covers a lot of territory. Some people carry everything including the kitchen sink, others say all they need is their cell phone and a credit card. And it all depends where you are going, staying on-road day trip, off-road day trip with support readily accessible, or a tour of the outback of Alaska where only floatplanes go but somehow you know how to get there…

Maybe we can start replies with a first sentence like; Tools I carry all the time; Tools For long trips; Tools I take for long off-road trips, etc….

Also suggestions for lighter or tools that can do multiple jobs. As an example I saw a motion pro tool thats a 27mm box wrench on one side and a tire spoon on the other or BestRest Products make their "hex wrenches" that would save weight from having to carry a large socket wrench and the 27mm socket….

*******************************************************************************************************************************

Personally, I'm trying to assemble a tool kit for 50/50 riding.

This is a list of tools I think I need based on searching other posts.
  • Motopump tire inflator
  • Tire Plugs
  • 19mm Allen (front tire removal)
  • 27mm socket
  • Sparkplug socket
  • 4,5,6,8 long Allen wrenches
  • 12" crescent wrench
  • Small needle nose vise grips
  • Multi-Tool
  • 12mm wrench (Saw it on someones list but not sure why I felt the need to add it if I have a 12" crescent wrench)
  • Screwdrivers or one with interchangeable tips
  • torx #10
  • First Aid/Trauma Pak
  • Zip ties
  • Duct Tape
 

AVGeek

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I have gone ahead and "stickyed" the topic.

As far as what I carry, I had an older socket set I wasn't using, so I pulled the metric sockets and 1/4" drive handle and packed them into some small pencil bags I picked up at the Container Store. I also added hex sockets in the most common sizes, and picked up a 1/4" drive to hex adapter for a bit set I added. I also had a sliding 3/8" T-Bar (smaller than a ratchet and great for leverage) and added a 1/4" - 3/8" ratchet from Harbor Freight (looks like a double box end wrench). I try to do a lot of the maintenance with the tools I carry, and adjust the set as I find what I do and don't need. I also carry a Slime pump and a tire repair kit. Mostly I've used the pump for airing back up to highway pressure after a dirt sojourn...
 

211john

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Feb 29, 2012
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Reno
Timely topic. I've just been looking at my stock tool kit deciding what to keep and what to drop and what to add.
Here it is:



When near home I like the stock kit except for the pliers. I'm going to replace the pliers with mini vise grips. It also needs a couple more allen wrenches. Otherwise when close to home it should suffice for tightening anything that comes loose.

Under the seat I keep a socket for the rear axle bolt and a hex socket for the front. But I'd need a 1/2 breaker bar to use them and I don't carry one. When traveling near civilization those are good if I can get to a shop and need tire repair. I think I'm going to replace them with a combo axle wrench and adapter from here: http://cruztools.com/products/axleplug.html

Here is what I carry now on longer trips:
small slime pump
tire plugs
Zip ties - various sizes
duct tape
silicon tape (rescue tape).
10 feet of wire (electrical)
butt splices (electrical)
ring connector (electrical)
stainless safety wire
quick steel
fuses (these should be with me all the time really)
first aid kit - small one with some bandages, tape and a few pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen and vicodin).
1 Israeli bandage
tow strap (I've used this 3 times, twice to pull bikes back onto the trail and once to tow a friend)

things I want to add for longer trips
Tire irons
1/4" drive t-handle
sockets - 10mm and 12mm
some spare spokes


and I'm thinking about replacing my 27mm socket and 19mm hex socket with the wrench and adapter from here:
http://cruztools.com/products/axleplug.html


Bushyar15, what is the #10 torx for? I haven't found that bolt yet.
 

EricV

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You will want to add an 8mm allen wrench or allen bit socket if you ever hope to remove the rear wheel. That's for the pinch bolt.

I probably carry more than most, but I also carry tools for my wife's F650GS twin too. Makes life easier for me.

I highly recommend the Motion Pro T-6 Tire spoon/box wrenches. They are rated for 90 ft/lbs of torque, not suprisingly, what your rear axle nut is spec'd to be tightened to. And they will work for spooning off and on a tire as well. Two is enough, three is better. The 10/12 box version is handy along with the size for the axle nut. Consider the 3/8" drive that fits into the wrench too, it makes a very handy extra socket head, but note that it does not turn, it's just fixed in place.

BTW, to the OP, you're going to need a breaker bar or some kind of ratchet for that 27mm socket. ;D 1/2" drive probably. That is one area that I simply carry a full length 27 mm combo wrench, (fits in the bottom of the pannier). Makes life easier when I need to pull the rear wheel on the road to get that new tire I didn't think I'd need when I left on the trip. Saves a heck of a lot of money over paying the shop to pull the wheel.

Whatever inflation device you choose to add, make sure you have a 10 amp or better fused power lead for it that's strait to the battery. The stock cigg style port is only 3 amps and will pop the fuse right away if you try and use an air pump on it. (And the wiring is not large enough to support a larger fuse, so DO NOT do that, it will melt the wires and you'll have a bigger problem.

Upgrade the pliers in the OEM tool kit. Take a hard look at those tools and understand what they do, as well. Spark plug wrench is right there. The OD of that tool will sometimes fit the 19mm alxes too, with a little de-burring, but it's not necessarily strong enough to function that way.
 

HHH

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Re: Tools "Sticky"

Very nice set ups listed above, but no one mentioned one of the most important when going anywhere, short or long trip.

Have a spare ignition key hidden somewhere in your bike (make sure you chose a place you don't need a key to reach. Eg; under the seat, inside a pannier)...
It doesn't matter how careful you are, misplace, drop in the mud, manhole, deep wood, or just for some reason break the original and be "really" stranded if you don't have a spare.
 

Chuck B

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Flagstaff AZ
Re: Tools "Sticky"

HHH said:
Very nice set ups listed above, but no one mentioned one of the most important when going anywhere, short or long trip.

Have a spare ignition key hidden somewhere in your bike (make sure you chose a place you don't need a key to reach. Eg; under the seat, inside a pannier)...
It doesn't matter how careful you are, misplace, drop in the mud, manhole, deep wood, or just for some reason break the original and be "really" stranded if you don't have a spare.
This topic came up with a group of us recently at a breakfast meet. The first things on my list were; spare key in my aerostich pocket wrapped in a Ben Franklin and extra CC. I keep another Ben Franklin and 2nd drivers lic hidden on the bike...I never ride without my stich so I'll always have a spare key. CC fixes just about any problem while on the road.
 

Bushyar15

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I was thinking that. A 1/2 Drive is gonna weigh a ton!

I was looking at this; http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-163-besthex-wrenches.aspx And their spoons…



EricV said:
You will want to add an 8mm allen wrench or allen bit socket if you ever hope to remove the rear wheel. That's for the pinch bolt.

I probably carry more than most, but I also carry tools for my wife's F650GS twin too. Makes life easier for me.

I highly recommend the Motion Pro T-6 Tire spoon/box wrenches. They are rated for 90 ft/lbs of torque, not suprisingly, what your rear axle nut is spec'd to be tightened to. And they will work for spooning off and on a tire as well. Two is enough, three is better. The 10/12 box version is handy along with the size for the axle nut. Consider the 3/8" drive that fits into the wrench too, it makes a very handy extra socket head, but note that it does not turn, it's just fixed in place.

BTW, to the OP, you're going to need a breaker bar or some kind of ratchet for that 27mm socket. ;D 1/2" drive probably. That is one area that I simply carry a full length 27 mm combo wrench, (fits in the bottom of the pannier). Makes life easier when I need to pull the rear wheel on the road to get that new tire I didn't think I'd need when I left on the trip. Saves a heck of a lot of money over paying the shop to pull the wheel.

Whatever inflation device you choose to add, make sure you have a 10 amp or better fused power lead for it that's strait to the battery. The stock cigg style port is only 3 amps and will pop the fuse right away if you try and use an air pump on it. (And the wiring is not large enough to support a larger fuse, so DO NOT do that, it will melt the wires and you'll have a bigger problem.

Upgrade the pliers in the OEM tool kit. Take a hard look at those tools and understand what they do, as well. Spark plug wrench is right there. The OD of that tool will sometimes fit the 19mm alxes too, with a little de-burring, but it's not necessarily strong enough to function that way.
 

Karson

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Here's what I concocted. Need to throw a little thing of tire lube in there for unexpected tire issues, and maybe some low-footprint tie-downs.

 

Bushyar15

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Thanks for that link! Based on your recommendation I ordered it as starting point. There will b things I add to it but it has the basics!

And Gordon has extended his 20% off special today and tomorrow (Sept. 3 and 4th)

offcamber said:
I just picked up this set since I'm too lazy to build my own....I'll ad a few items to it but overall it covers the basics.

Now through Monday 9/1/2014 save 20% use code TWENTYOFF
http://shop.rrrtoolsolutions.com/RRR-Adventure-Tool-Roll-Set-Torx-Premium-HIVIS-Yel-Includes-Ship-RRRATRPHV.htm

 

Andylaser

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Southampton UK
This is a list I found. Dont know how complete this is. If anyone thinks theres anything missing, please speak up.

3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 17 & 19mm hex bits
T30 Torx & T50 Security Torx
10, 12 & 17mm sockets
10, 12 & 17mm spanners
27mm socket or spanner
Flat & Pozi screwdrivers
 
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211john

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I finally received the wrench and adapter for my axles. They will replace the two sockets which I can't use on the road anyway without a 1/2" breaker.



Much smaller and I think it will all fit in the stock tool bag. The wrench might be too long in which case it will be rubber banded to the tool bag. Frees up some space under the seat.
 

tomatocity

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Wondering if the Stock Tool Kit has JIS screwdrivers?
 

littledave

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211john said:
I finally received the wrench and adapter for my axles. They will replace the two sockets which I can't use on the road anyway without a 1/2" breaker.



Much smaller and I think it will all fit in the stock tool bag. The wrench might be too long in which case it will be rubber banded to the tool bag. Frees up some space under the seat.
can I ask where u got the spanner from?
 
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