tools onbike

[ramblingrose]

I could use some advise on upgrading and or replacing the OEM on my FJR 1300. The Rick Mayer list is pretty extensive on the Iron Butt websit. What do you vetrans suggest I carry on my bike for mid to long excersions? Please list tools, and micellanious equiptment that the novice LD rider might incorporate on the bike. Thanks for the help

 

[TheAxeman]

Rose,

I did a quick search for you and found THIS THREAD which may be of some help to you.

 

[squeezer]

Good thread, Axe.

One thing that helps you decide: I try to use my on-bike tool kit when I tinker with the bike at home. It helps you figure out what you do and don't need. I figure if it's something I don't know how to do in my garage, I'm not going to figure out how to do it on the side of the road in the dark. And if a tool works like crap at home, it won't work better out there.

Things you should be prepared to do: tighten and/or replace all fasteners, fix a flat, change a fuse, change a brake light or headlight bulb, use some hookup wire to repair or bypass a broken connection, duct tape or bungee up broken fairing bits, and call a tow truck. If you have the tools and parts to do those things, you should be good to go.

 

[Ignacio]

The Rick Mayer list is pretty extensive on the Iron Butt websit. What do you vetrans suggest I carry on my bike for mid to long excersions?

You mean the Ron Major list? If so.......it's extensive for a reason....it's what's worked for a seasoned LD rider. His list is comprehensive and more than I carry also, but every time I do regular work on my I bike I think....is this tool in my toolkit?

Others would say do all your regular bike maintenance with your toolkit....and that's exactly what should be in your kit.

 

[David Morrow]

Good thread, Axe.
One thing that helps you decide: I try to use my on-bike tool kit when I tinker with the bike at home. It helps you figure out what you do and don't need. I figure if it's something I don't know how to do in my garage, I'm not going to figure out how to do it on the side of the road in the dark. And if a tool works like crap at home, it won't work better out there.

Things you should be prepared to do: tighten and/or replace all fasteners, fix a flat, change a fuse, change a brake light or headlight bulb, use some hookup wire to repair or bypass a broken connection, duct tape or bungee up broken fairing bits, and call a tow truck. If you have the tools and parts to do those things, you should be good to go.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I would add that I head over to my local quality tool store and cherry pick the combination wrenches that match the sizes that I normally use at home. Even though the per piece price is cheaper buying wrench sets, I just buy the individual ones that I need and carry them all the time. I also carry a very small needle nose pliers and a tiny LED flashlight that costs all of about 2 bucks.

And don't forget a spare main fuse. I don't recall the size but I think it's 30 amps. Not always easy to find especially when yous is dead. Check the manual.

I rode with a fellow a couple of years ago whose rear tire went flat because the core on the air fill valve went bad. Have you ever tried to find one of those little buggers ( and the tool to change them) when you needed one really badly ? Cost about half a buck and worth a hundred times that when you're stuck. And they take up no space.

 

[BIODSL]

I could use some advise on upgrading and or replacing the OEM on my FJR 1300. The Rick Mayer list is pretty extensive on the Iron Butt websit. What do you vetrans suggest I carry on my bike for mid to long excersions? Please list tools, and micellanious equiptment that the novice LD rider might incorporate on the bike. Thanks for the help

I'm a frickin' idiot when it comes to working on bikes. Carrying a multimeter would do me no good, so I don't. Besides a screwdriver, a couple of sockets and hex wrenches (don't forget the hexes), I carry stuff I know how to use; zip ties, duct tape and maybe some JB Weld. Being about to duct tape stuff back on after a getoff or tip over is a very good thing.

Paul Peloquin

Monmouth OR

 

[ramblingrose]

You guys are great!! Thanks so much !! The thead answers all my questions about tools and other indispensable items the LD initiate requires and gives me lots to think about. The Cruz tools look like the kind of quality I'm looking for. I do need to practice using tools in the garage not the side of some dirt road in the middle of nowhere. I do hope you are correct about the FJR reliability. I especially like the advice about packing cigars and whisky(after the ride). As a forum newbie I appreciate the wealth of information to be found thoughout the various topic headings. Good riding this season. The west coast of Michigan is very scenic. Come visit.

 

[Rickster]

don't forget the leatherman tool.

 

[IndianaTom]

don't forget the leatherman tool.

And tiny vice-grips incase you break off a clutch lever. (It's been known to happen)

 

[Mike-H]

don't forget the leatherman tool.

And tiny vice-grips incase you break off a clutch lever. (It's been known to happen)

I thought the new & improved leatherman could do that :blink: ?.....(act as vice-grips?)....

 

[IndianaTom]

don't forget the leatherman tool.

And tiny vice-grips incase you break off a clutch lever. (It's been known to happen)

I thought the new & improved leatherman could do that :blink: ?.....(act as vice-grips?)....

I was not aware of such an animal, I should try to find one.

click

 

[squeezer]

And don't forget a spare main fuse. I don't recall the size but I think it's 30 amps. Not always easy to find especially when yous is dead. Check the manual.

Just to save you from looking it up... it's 50 amps. Napa part # and tips on how to change it are here.

I rode with a fellow a couple of years ago whose rear tire went flat because the core on the air fill valve went bad. Have you ever tried to find one of those little buggers ( and the tool to change them) when you needed one really badly ? Cost about half a buck and worth a hundred times that when you're stuck. And they take up no space.

Oh, man. Good tip. I think I'll add that.

Not to hijack the thread, but assuming you're the David Morrow who maintained the Concours Tech Index -- a belated thanks. I learned a buttload there.

 

[Malve]

All you need is WD40 and duct Tape...

If it moves and it isn't supposed to...duct tape

If it is supposed to move and it doesn't...WD40.

 

[Rogue]

don't forget the leatherman tool.

And tiny vice-grips incase you break off a clutch lever. (It's been known to happen)

They also work if your throttle cable snaps at the grip.

All you need is WD40 and duct Tape...
If it moves and it isn't supposed to...duct tape

If it is supposed to move and it doesn't...WD40.

I think I've read that somewhere.........

 

[jestal]

I'll second the advice to evaluate your on-bike tool kit for normal repair to make sure you have the right stuff and that it works.

Whenever I start some job, farkle or maintenance work I use my normal "toolsbox" and fancy hand tools but I NEVER put anything away until I'm finished. Then I gather up and lay out all the tools I used to make sure that something in my on-bike tool kit would suffice if necessary. It is a lot easier working with my normal tools but making sure that the job "could" have been done with the tool kit if necessary can be a life saver on the road....i.e...that is why there is a very short, very stubby phillips in my on-bike kit for getting those A-B-C-D panel fasteners out.

A leatherman tool is invaluable. I keep one with me on all bike, snowmobile, dirt bike, etc. expeditions and you would be amazed at how often it is deployed.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I could use some advise on upgrading and or replacing the OEM on my FJR 1300. The Rick Mayer list is pretty extensive on the Iron Butt websit. What do you vetrans suggest I carry on my bike for mid to long excersions? Please list tools, and micellanious equiptment that the novice LD rider might incorporate on the bike. Thanks for the help

I'm a frickin' idiot when it comes to working on bikes. Carrying a multimeter would do me no good, so I don't. Besides a screwdriver, a couple of sockets and hex wrenches (don't forget the hexes), I carry stuff I know how to use; zip ties, duct tape and maybe some JB Weld. Being about to duct tape stuff back on after a getoff or tip over is a very good thing.

Paul Peloquin

Monmouth OR

Unfortunately, that is about where I am too. I replaced most of the wrenches with some extra Craftsman wrenches I had laying around, and cherry picked the ones I didn't. Sears also sells a very small plastic kit including a stubby with most metric sockets needed. Picked up a couple extra sockets to make it more complete and one of those little converter thingies so I only needed 1/4" ratchet; along with an adjustable wrench. Then some quality hex's and a flat fixer package I put together with advice gleened from the experts here, and I called it quits. I picked up a $1 map reading LED in a cheap plastic clip-on housing from the dollar store. Oh yeah, I keep a photocopy of my towing "get-out-of-trouble-cheeply" card in there so I don't have to worry that it leaped out of my wallet or sumpin' if I need a tow.

I'm always trying to balance bulk and cost with realistic expectations of what I know how to use.

Your mileage will vary