The "add-a-tool to the advtour tool kit" thread.

[Jeff S]

1)Sturdy, well-made Tool Wrap/roll which contains:
2)Leatherman
3)Multitool, like the Cruz Outback'r, to complement the Leatherman
4)Tire Patch Kit
5)Air pump
6)Light or glow stick
7)Tie Wraps (long ones - 12-18")
8)Electrical/Duct/Gorilla Tape
9) Nitrile gloves
10)Socket Wrench (what size? 3/8 or 1/2?) with the following sockets: 27mm, 14mm ALLEN (front wheel removal)
11) 4mm and 5mm allen sockets to go into this 13 piece screwdriver

And, for #10: 3/8's inch drive with 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 17mm 22mm, 27mm sockets & 14mm allen

[Ivan V]

This is what I carry most of the time:
It's more off-road oriented at the moment, but on longer tour with the Versys I'd carry all of that.



OEM toolkit is all you realistically need for this bike, but I'd recommend to replace every item with a higher quality one.

I also like to work on the bike with my field kit (above) even in the garage so I would get used to it and see what really works.
Of the shelf kits seem nice but one is better off tailoring it himself.

Many good tips here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262998

[Jeff S]

Originally Posted by Ivan V

OEM toolkit is all you realistically need for this bike, but I'd recommend to replace every item with a higher quality one.

The one great tool in the stock kit is the spark plug remover. Long and the little U-joint thingy in it works perfectly.

Ivan: what's above the WD-40? Is that a multimeter to the left of the WD-40?

[Bones]

Originally Posted by makopolo

I keep Gorilla tape with my kit for the car, kayaking, camping, biking. It's saved my but many times when trying to fix gear. Much stronger textile backing and incredible adhesive hold up to water much better that regular duct tape.

Great idea. About the only thing better I've found is EB Green, a milspec tape that comes from Electric Boat, which makes Navy submarines in Groton, Connecticut. Need to know someone to get that.

No matter which tape you've got, try rolling several feet of it onto a dowel or pencil and cut it to the width of the tape. On the narrow spindle, it takes up very little space, which is helpful when traveling on a bike. It came in handy when a buddy dropped his R1100RT and part of the alloy piece that the passenger footpeg bolts onto snapped off. We taped the piece in place. It wouldn't have helped a passenger (which my buddy didn't have anyway) but it kept the piece in place for the ride home.

[Versystole]

Great posts- thanks Ivan and Jeff- I'll collate some of that stuff into the list later. Ivan's kit looks pretty complete... but probably more than I'd take, actually. Do you really think you need both pair of pliers? And I was waiting for someone to suggest the ratcheting screwdriver/sockets. Having a flexible extension for that is really helpful, too, IMHO.

[Ivan V]

Ok, I owe some clarification for that picture.

Jeff, above WD is a small can of Motorex chain lube. I only pack that and WD if I can really afford the space or doing long trips. To the left of WD can is a digital tire pressure gauge.

Some other less clear stuff:
From the top:
- First row - home made battery jumper cable. It's terrible but it works. Nylon wire (I still haven't found use for it but it packs small) and underneath a disposable 3l gasoline/water bag.
- Second row - Rope, lighter, flashlight, knife, ziplock bags, a headlamp, foot pump, pair of gloves. Chain lube and WD40.
- Third row - Figure 9 carabiner and some rope, Stop&Go tire plug kit (haven't used it yet), pressure gauge,
- Fourth row - Sockets and bits with a small ratchet, spare clutch lever, zip ties, electrical tape.
- Bottom row- General tools. Left to the red pliers is a stubby screwdriver that accepts bits and a a big Hex socket for Versys' front axle.

Both pliers are, kind off, redundant because I never seem to use them on the bike. Smaller ones are pretty small and nice as they can undo a bolt.

I would like to replace OEM axle tools with Motion Pro T6 levers one day. In fact, entire Motion Pro catalog is pretty desirable.

Edit:
I forgot to mention that with little clever packing everything in that picture (except: lubes, rope and foot pump) fits under the seat. I did hacksaw some of the unnecessary plastic from that area but it will sit there without issues.

[macintosh]

Originally Posted by Jeff S

Really? You'd pack and take a manometer on a multi-thousand mile ride?

To clarify: manometer as for measuring tyre pressure.

[Jeff S]

Originally Posted by macintosh

To clarify: manometer as for measuring tyre pressure.

Ahh, that makes sense....

[MikeV]

Towel

No matter what I always have a towel. I wrap my tools in it. It's a great item and doesn't have to be huge and fluffy.

So many uses.

[Versystole]

Originally Posted by Bones

No matter which tape you've got, try rolling several feet of it onto a dowel or pencil and cut it to the width of the tape.

I've always used ski poles...bike pumps... and I think I'll use the factory tool kit "breaker sleeve" for this purpose on the V. Assuming that it stays in the tool kit, that is!

[Versystole]

Originally Posted by macintosh

To clarify: manometer as for measuring tyre pressure.

You know, when I first read that, I wondered if that's where you were going!
No question- manometer is in!

[fasteddiecopeman]

Originally Posted by Versystole

1)Sturdy, well-made Tool Wrap/roll
2)Leatherman
3)Multitool, like the Cruz Outback'r, to complement the Leatherman
4)Tire Patch Kit
5)Air pump
6)Light Source/emergency light
7)Zip Ties/duct tape
8)27mm socket for rear wheel/front sprocket?

8)I tend to carry a crescent wrench instead of a 27mm socket, as you then need a 'breaker bar', and most 3/8 drives aren't long enough for 80 lb. ft. of torque....

[Versystole]

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) Wrenches? what size?

I'm going to pull the Leatherman and Multitool out of the Tool Roll and put them in the tank bag.

Tank bag- (or wherever you choose to make them handy)
1) Leatherman
2) Multitool
3) Headlamp
4) Tire gauge (manometer!)

Keep 'em coming-

[Versystole]

Originally Posted by fasteddiecopeman

8)I tend to carry a crescent wrench instead of a 27mm socket, as you then need a 'breaker bar', and most 3/8 drives aren't long enough for 80 lb. ft. of torque....

I hate the thought of carrying a crescent wrench that big, but I get the point/problem. I'm going to work on that one-

[Ivan V]

If you're going to use sockets for the axle then a sliding T handle would be smallest most practical driver.

As for wrenches, those MotionPro wrench/lever combinations I mentioned above are very lightweight.
There is also this one from Sealey (UK company):



Maybe you can zip-tie it somewhere along the subframe.

[Versystole]

Ivan, what's the little wrench, third from the left bottom row?

[macintosh]

Originally Posted by Versystole

5) Light or glow stick
14) Wrenches? What sizes?

I have actually headlamp in my tankbag, much more useful than torch or glow stick in dark if you need actually to do something.

Wrences I have: 8,10,12,13

[Ivan V]

Originally Posted by Versystole

Ivan, what's the little wrench, third from the left bottom row?

They are your usual stubby wrenches.



These are from a Taiwanese company TopTul. Well made and magnetic.
Stubby wrenches are good for tight spaces but they are also thicker and allow less leverage. I find slim wrenches more practical.

Here's a nice set:

http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81904-Stubby-Wrench-Metric/dp/B000NI93RA

http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81904-Stubby-Wrench-Metric/dp/B000NI93RA

You may have noticed by now that I like tools.

[motociclista]

I'm just waiting to see how long before we get to this:

[dmason]

1)Sturdy, well-made Tool Wrap/roll which contains:
2)Leatherman
3)Multitool, like the Cruz Outback'r, to complement the Leatherman
4)Tire Patch Kit
5)Air pump
6)Light or glow stick
7)Tie Wraps (long ones - 12-18")
8)Electrical/Duct/Gorilla Tape
9) Nitrile gloves
10)Socket Wrench (what size? 3/8 or 1/2?) with the following sockets: 27mm, 14mm ALLEN (front wheel removal)
11)Safety wire and pliers