Forum

[stinkwheel]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a bowden lever?

Mr Bowden patented the cables we use for brakes/ cltuches/throttles. A Bowden lever is any lever that pulls one. In this case i was referring to a brake/clutch lever.

[Breezin]

I see. Never knew that! Thanks -- and thanks also to Windmill John.

[black fingernail]

I have the usual spanners, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. All fitted in a zip up bag that just fits into the toolbox.
But I also carry a tobacco tin with possible get me home bodging bits in it, that just fits in below the tool bag
A couple of scotch locks.
A Metre of wire.
A valve core, ( I have a valve removal tool type valve cap, fitted with a dab of grease) on the front wheel.
8 small zip ties, (8 large ones are in the tool bag).
Stop & tail light bulb.
Indicator bulb.
New spark plug.
Set of points & a couple of screws that hold them on.
Condenser.
1/2 dozen fuses.
Five pound note, and two pound coins.
Under the tin, wrapped in mutton cloth, is a pair of cheap reading glasses.
All this just fits in the left toolbox around the ignition switch, leaving the right toolbox for my waterproof trousers.

[Hugh]

As this is a long list may have missed it but always have WD40 to hand. Not only to free bolts but for electrical connection damp proofing, cleaning tar spots off paint work and yesterday to remove a very sad looking water based decal off the tool box panels which had been there for at least 15 years with no damage to paint work. Cheers Hugh

[vince]

Hi, I used to commute 35 miles each way into london, carried basic tools enough to tighten anything loose/remove wheels etc. Plus inner tube, chain link, spare nipples, condensor and coil, bulbs . I worked on the theory that with these I could at least get home even if crawling along. Any major breakdown ie broken parts were not feasible to solve at side of road. In 40years I can think of piston failure as the only time I needed the AA. Vince

[black fingernail]

I've just had a look in the toolbox, while adding yet another layer of wax on the bike, I'm getting bored!
There is a mini credit card size multimeter, and a few safety pins, well, I might rip my trousers!

[Andy C]

Something I find very useful and has got me out of trouble at least once, and that is a length of wire and something to strip the end of wire with - a small pair of side cutters.

I once had a wire fatigue off the ignition coil on the Harley I once had, I used a small length of the spare wire I carry to re connect it temporarily - got me to where I was going.

Doesn't take up much space.

[Wheaters]

I wanted a decent tool bag for my Bullet and having bought what turned out to be a poor quality “OE” canvas tool roll, with very poor stitching and a clumsy tie up closure. I decided to think again.

A short time later I needed some printer paper and so I visited my local Tesco. I found a schoolkid’s fabric pencil case, which has a zip closure. Perfect fit for the toolbox on the bike. Best of all, it only cost a couple of quid!

[jacobtue]

Over the years I have minimized tools etc. in size and expanded function vise. The current result can be seen in the pictures below. Regarding the different items please ask, as there are too many to list all.

[jacobtue]

What happened to pictures? I'll try again.
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/gj0njhv/tools-for-touring-1.jpg" alt="tools-for-touring-1" border="0">
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/BLCKBbr/tools-for-touring-4.jpg" alt="tools-for-touring-4" border="0">
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/zmkMvGg/tools-for-touring-3.jpg" alt="tools-for-touring-3" border="0">