Everybody has their favorite tools. Some riders are more "minimalist" than others. If you were going to go on an extended tour on a properly equipped Versys (let's say, Alaska, for instance-), what do you want in your tool kit? One tool per post, please- cut and paste, and we'll manage the list as we go. Please feel free to debate the suggestions. This is not a "what equipment/clothing/gear am I going to take" thread, but what TOOLS do I take...
Admittedly a sucker for multi-tools, I wouldn't ride without my Doc Allen Versatool. It offers great variety in a very small package. The three-position T-handle allows for a surprising amount of torque. This is not an advertisement; just an endorsement for something that has come in handy many times.
Hey - that looks nice! Are the bits stainless? I got a cheap set of bits from Harbor Frieght and they got covered in rust in about 15 minutes. Really annoying, as that makes the fit worse.
the one thing I saw in a home made tool assortment,then always carried was a set of 4" needle-nose vice grips, small enough to add to an oem tool bag, will do almost any size metric or standard nut and snips wire too.
1) Sturdy, well-made Tool Wrap/roll which contains:
2) Ratchet tool with bits and sockets (allen and otherwise) and extension
3) Socket Wrench 3/8" with the following sockets: 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 13mm 17mm 22mm, and 27mm, 14mm ALLEN (front wheel removal) and extension
4) Tire Patch Kit
5) Air pump
6) Light or glow stick
7) Tie Wraps (long ones - 12-18")
8) Electrical/Duct/Gorilla Tape wrapped on a spindle or tool
9) Work gloves
10) Work Towel
11) WD40
12) Chainlube
13) Original toolkit Sparkplug extension
14) Open-end Wrenches- 8,10,12,13
15) Sliding t-handle socket wrench
16) Safety wire
17) 4" vice grips
18) 6" crescent wrench?
19) box cutter
20) Hemostat
Tank bag- (or wherever you choose to make them handy)
1) Gerber Suspension folding tool (decent needle nose pliers)
2) Multitool (Cruz Outback'r m14)
3) Headlamp
4) Tire gauge (manometer!)
Curious why the safety wire was left in but their pliers removed? You do realize that safety wire pliers differ from "normal" pliers, yes? And that the wire is much more effectively used with them? Forced to choose I would probably carry the safety wire pliers and leave out the "normal" ones. YMMV
I DIDN'T know that... thanks for clarifying. Since I have no experience with said tool, will you educate me as to how you see it being valuable in this type of kit?
Recently rode to the west coast (San Diego) and then after a few days back at home in Alabama, I rode to the east coast (Virginia Beach). The only thing I used from my tool kit was 2 zip ties (one on two different occassions). It saved me both times. Will never leave home without them.
Just got a 12v adaptor (NOT yet wired into my bikes), and then a charger that plugs into it for my camera batteries so I can charge them while I go on LONG rides!
:goodidea:
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