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[Graham43]

Electra X ignition cut out briefly for a few times before cutting out permanently. Checked for fuel starvation and a lot else. On a whim checked lights - no lights - so check fuses. The fuse had slipped from its holders. The thin clips had loosened allowing the fuse to make and break until finally falling out into the plastic fuse holder. I have replaced the fuse holders with modern mini fuses in a case.

[John M]

Jonsey, it was a composite gasket, but the failure was down to me not re-torquing it properly.

[simon]

Clutch cable for me too. Had a spare in the tool box which I need to replace.

[Ian Martin]

What a useful thread. So a quick analysis of the posts would suggest that leaving home without a spare clutch and throttle cable will eventually end in tears at some point. I also carry a new spark plug, coil, inner tube, fuses, bulb kit and the tools to replace them. There is of course a road side recovery AA membership card in the wallet, just in case!
It occurred to me that it could be useful for us to know what essential spares others bring with them.
Ian

[Scalyback]

we did have a "what spares do you carry with you" thread a little while back, which ranged from the usual spanners and cable ties, all the way up to a trailer with a spare Enfield on the back of it.


on my woodsman i carry tools and cable ties,spark plug, LOCKTITE and puncture repair with mini gas cylinder to inflate again. Not much room for anything else on a woodsman, also light bulbs as per French law. IF BIKING IN FRANCE, you do NOT need to carry a breathalyser or red warning triangle, but you should have reflective stickers on your helmet.


My old 500 classic army has the 'biscuit tins' filled with all sorts of spares and cables, whilst the standard tool roll is now home to many additional hand tools, bulbs, spark plug, cable ties (in matching green from a garden centre!) and locktite.



Both bikes carry a first aid kit.



ANYWAY... my woodsman had the back assembly fall off TWICE ! the second time i had the locktite ready, works a treat. My old military? never failed me yet!

[dottyone]

Had a minor incident last year when the bolt holding the battery cover on my Classic went awol. Obviously no disaster but pulled over to the side of the road to ponder how to secure it. Looked down onto the dust and gravel and there was an unused cable tie! Perfect! On my way in two minutes and the tie stayed there ever since!

[KnockKnock]

2006 Electra - 1x broken clutch cable (great fun when this happens at the lights in the middle of town and 1x dodgy ignition switch. The switch seems to get water in it and often cuts out mid ride. A jiggle of the key normally brings it back to life but am replacing it this weekend.

[Jonesy]

Hi,fellow riderse.In conclution to following topic,it was found the most common reason for stoping was cable breakage.Dump the indian cables and replace with uk items.The second was electrics.The moral of this tale is to clean and spray with WD40 to prevent corrosion.The most expensive items were BIGEND BEARINGS.If you are still using the indian made oil pumps,change them for high capacity items, supplied by Hitchcocks.Change oil regulary and use good quality oil 20/50.It is just acase of preventative maintenance.Roll on summer,have no break downs.