what in your road kit

deacon · #1 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 08:51 AM

Okay on my blog I'm writing a fictional account of a motored bike road trip. At this moment I need to know what the minimalist tool kit would have in it. I mean the bare bones and any modifications to your tools to cut down on the weight of the items.

For instance in my electric bike kit, I have a 3/8 wrench for axle nuts, but it has been cut in half with only the open end part of it in the kit. The closed end is for another kit probably the gasoline one.

I'm thinking small can of tire inflater with slime rather than patch kit and pump. cut down 10mm wrench for the engine parts. 15mm cut down wrench for the axle bolts. A screwdriver with reversible shaft philips on one in slotted on the other. Maybe a small vicegrip would be a good thing to have.

Anyway let me know what you have that you really need for a bare bones low weight kit. thanks guys

**CRUISER** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 09:08 AM

most bike shops sell multi tool kits which all fold together and have tools for removing tires and everything else. for a motorized bicycle they are perfect and take up very little room. in addition to that i carry a flat tire repair patch and glue. here is a picture of one of the tool kits out their. they run around 20.00

deacon · #3 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 09:12 AM

Ah heck that's too easy lol... Need something with real character. Bits and pieces odds and ends lol. My bell chain breaker cost twenty bucks, I could have bought one a wallymart for about five. live and learn.

**Norman** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 11:39 AM

This is what I carry chain and lock. Cell phone and thats it.Sometimes I forget the phone and as yet I've not needed to use it.

Norman

deacon · #5 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 12:17 PM

Yes the next bit is about cell phones for the traveler. After the cell phones I have to make up a list of items to pack in the trailer for the road trip. The trip will probably be set to last about two weeks the first time. I am enjoying the planning even if I can't take the trip for real.

Pablo · #6 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 04:21 PM

Cell phone. But I haven't been far. YET!!

deacon · #7 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 06:20 PM

hummm I'm dealing with the cell phone thing in the next serial. Cell phone seems to be the number one answer. But then again nobody is out doing road trips I guess. At least if they are they aren't answering this yet..

Of course they aren't answering, because they are on the road.

MotorbikeMike · #8 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 06:58 PM

Hi guys, I will now offer a COMPLETELY different approach to this concept. Your Toolkit should contain EVERYTHING you need to be able to service your bike while on the road.

I recently rode the Whiz-In near Fresno CA, 65 miles of mixed roads, including some scenic winding country roads outside of town over a river with a one-lane bridge!

Others broke down along the way, but my OHV Whizzer roared along with no problems, Everytime I passed anyone on the side I'd holler out "Need Tools"?

Your tool kit should contain, for the most part, EVERY tool that it takes to service the entirety of your bike.

After the ride, a few weeks later, I tore down 09 with the tools that were in that kit, save the fact that I needed a deadblow mallet (I can't remember what for, oohhh yes, to pop the stem loose) and a 12 inch crescent wrench, as I needed to remove the headset and crankset, the mallet was also usefull to drive out all the races as she went to powder bare-steel!

I did not carry spare parts, as the bike was new, and only had about 7 miles on it before the big ride!
Spare parts are a completely different matter, and I don't want to get into that, especially considering my parts would be different than yours.

How to assemble your toolkit? I go thru the bike, and make sure that every fastener on the bike has a PROPER tool to loosen and tighten it. Every allen, nut, bolt, the pedals etc!
You SHOULD carry a chain breaker, and an extra masterlink.

Then, pliers, a bit of baling wire, a few zip-ties, some tape, a crescent wrench, I carry a 6-way screwdriver, IF you need a socket, then carry a ratchet!

See if I am right?

Mike

**Norman** · #9 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 07:51 PM

Mike
I'm going to carry the cell (and a chain and lock to lock up the bike) as I don't plan on breakin down if it does well my fault I'll chain to something but moat likely I'll call the snake to come and get me. I ain't worried I don't plan on a cross country trip and if I did I'm not taking one of these bikes only one has a cup holder and NO plug in for my capichino machine.

Sounds to me like you plan on some serious x-country riding. I don't pack much on the harley either in the way of tools sorry person that I am. The newer Harleys is gettin more like a goldwing ever day fuel injection electronic throttle am/fm/gps/cd players every trincket known to man kind. Ah.............. Its fun. But I hate to polish all the dang chrome.
Oh I also fly my own airplane and I do carry a Holy Bible if I get into a really bad situation I'll reach over my shoulder and break out the Bible and start studying for the big final.

Norman

deacon · #10 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 08:07 PM

I think for my purpose I tend to go with mike. If you are going to be out there alone you really should have enough tools to do minor things, Like tighten the chain or clean a spark plug. Re attach a cable that kind of thing. Almost all the stuff outside the bike is 10mm and most of the stuff on my bike is 14 15 17 mm. I think If I were going on a road trip for any length of time, I would want at least open end of those size wrenches. A good vise grip as well. I have patched my last inner tube, I'll just replace them if they go bad from now on.

Anyway I enjoy hearing what people carry so please continue.