Page 1 of 3

Tool kits

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:07 pm
by Exile
I've been sorting my shed out during lockdown, cleaning up my tools and shelves amd stacking everything away nicely.
I decided to refresh my memory of what tools and stuff I carry on Thumper when I'm out on the road.
Feeler gauges, multitool, tyre repair goop, spare plug, chain lube, some wire and a few bulbs, a double ended screwdriver, an adjustable spanner and other spanners, some plastic ties. I also have a mini pump for pumping tyres up and a first aid kit and there is normally some duct tape in there too.
I won't be doing roadside rebuilds so I reckon this is all I need to get me out of trouble.
See it all in the picture below. (Apart from the pump and the first aid kit.)

My question is, what does everybody else have?


Image

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:07 pm
by stinkwheel
I've got double ended spanners to reduce the number I need to carry.

Cable repair kit.

Do you have something there you'd be able to get the sparkplug out with?

Does that shifting spanner go big enough to undo the rear stub axle nut to adjust the chain?

I have tyre levers and a spare tube in my toolkit and in fairness, it's the thing I've had to use to get me going again most often.

I also have a spare bowden lever.

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:31 pm
by Exile
Good questions. Gives food for thought... perhaps exposing a few weaknesses in my toolkit. Which is why I asked..!!
So thank you. Here's my thinking..

1. The adjustable will remove the plug. There is room.
2. I won't be stripping the tyres at the roadside if I puncture. The goop and the pump would hopefully get me home.
3. If I was going to cross a continent, I probably would carry something to enable adjusting the chain, but it isn't really likely on my local trips. Ditto tyre levers and cables.
4. If I break a cable, I'm either going to have to be inventive or call recovery! (definitely a weak spot!)

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:08 pm
by stinkwheel
You can get little cable repair kits in a tin like an airgun pellet tin with three lengths of cable of different widths and a selection of solderless nipples.

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:30 pm
by windmill john
I used to carry tools to remove a wheel, but attempting a repair on a modern tyre without a tyre stand put me off that.
My bikes always carry Slime now and a hand pump.

Had to use it twice, so swear by it.

Need two tubes of Slime for a Transalp rear tyre, I am hoping that Gupta, my 350 Bullet can get away with one; apparently one tube will do a motocross wheel.

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:57 pm
by Exile
@ Windmill John:

Thanks. Been to Google. Is this it? If so, I can order one from a store here in Denmark.

Image

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:21 pm
by Daiwiskers
That's the cable repair kit

If doing any distance I will carry 2 adjustable spanners 6" and 10" screwdriver with bits in handle a pair of pliers and a 8mm ring spanner I think that's about it oh and a few fuses and a spark plug (old habit from 2 stroke day's
And of course the recovery card along with mobile phone

Take care all Dai

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 11:54 pm
by Breezin
Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a bowden lever?

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:45 am
by windmill john
I think that’s a bit of a misnomer.

A Bowden cable is basically a cable inside a protective outer, like virtually all our cables. I’m guessing a Bowden lever is basically any lever which attaches to a Bowden cable, I.e. it has a slit or socket for a ferrule.

They could just say brake lever, clutch lever, choke, advance, whatever. If it was for a bike with hydraulics, it wouldn’t be a Bowden.

Re: Tool kits

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:27 am
by Wheaters
I've had a few punctures in a spoked wheel in my time. In my experience, a new tube is likely to be the only option. I've had two punctures on my RE. On both occasions, in the very short time from feeling the dreaded "wiggle" to having stopped the bike, the tyre had slipped around the rim so that the valve had ripped out of the tube. No "gloop" will fix that. I've since fitted a rim lock to the back wheel in the hope of preventing this happening again.... fingers crossed!

I also carry an RAC membership card. But last time I called them out, near Buxton, they took five and a quarter hours to get to me. Other providers are available... :x