What do you carry - repair

[Alaskamike]

Hey folks,  I am planning a substancial trip this next summer on my 97 Tourer.  Was thinking about what to take and thought some of you more experienced Valk owners might have a sort of "packing list" for a long trip.   I've done these on other bikes, but this will be my first over 1,000 miles on the Valk,

I'll get it started with a few basics I alwasy carry no matter the steed.

1.  Duct Tape
2.  electrical tape
3.  leatherman tool
4.  Needle nose plyers, a good adjustable wrench
5.  box of assorted fuses
6.  small LED flashlight
7.  assorted zip ties
8.  a washcloth (for windshield), and a rag
9.  Novus plastic clean & shine
10.  plastic cover for the seat (I hate setting on a wet seat in the am)
11.  spare tail & brake light bulb

That's a start.  Now... what tools or other things do you take ?

[chip]

More than I've needed,but you never know. These tools are what I try to work in my garage with. If I find something I often need it will be added to the list. Here is a link from another tool bag post.
           
             http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,15544.0.html

[f-Stop]

Tire repair kit.

[Oss]

nice list  I also bring the tiny co2 inflater & 4 cartriges

bearings, guard dog moly and o rings (if I trash a tire might as well lube the splines) a whistle in my jacket
pocket(if hurt off the road and out of view it may be the only way to get noticed), loose pages of maps, list of phone #'s of members along the way (in case phone goes fubar) first aid kit and a couple water bottles

[Big Rig]

only 1000 miles??? just bring gas money! 

Extra bulbs, wrenches, electrical tape, tire plug, 1 can fix of flat...I bring all this stuff because the guys I ride with all ride Harley's....

[hotglue #43]

I carry a pretty complete set of tools.... both metric and SAE......tire plug kit.......

One thing I started carrying a long time ago was a collapsable umbrella...takes up very little space in the bottom of the bag. When someone breaks down, and you are waiting with them on the side of the road in the hot sun for hours..... a little shade goes a LONG ways!!!!!!!!!!  I know FB wished she had one when Strider had problems on the way to Natchez!!!!!!!!  She now has one in her bike too!   We also carry a liter of water..... it will not be cold, but in the heat, it can keep ya from falling out!!!!!

[Disco]

collapsible umbrella

Great Idea.   

[G-Man]

Tire repair kit.

+1

[Momz]

All great things to carry. But a fully charged cell phone, a credit card, a "VRCC Vortex printout" and a handgun for those times you least expect.

[Jess from VA]

Make your small led flashlight one of these headband lites...I don't know how I lived without these.  Working with both hands is better than one, and holding a flashlight in your mouth gets old.  Walmart always has a good selection.  

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=head+band+light&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4577818315&ref=pd_sl_4u6sivgew2_b

And get a Slime brand mini air pump which plugs into your SAE Battery Tender Jr. pigtail.  I took the hard cover off my pump, and the internal pump, T-hand tools (reamer and plugger), string plugs and glue all fit inside the little zipper case.  

[If you call and give this sale catalog part no, it is $10 off $24.99 instead of $34.99.   Item number LHA 52-1944 , i think.]

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search_catalog_command.cmd?fromProductSearch=true&item1=LHA%2052-1944

[Strider]

On a ride up to Minnesota, I sure was lucky that I had thrown an extra single race bearing in my bag before the trip.  From now on, I will have one.  When they go, they go - and you don't.

Had to change it in a parking lot - with a LOT of help from my friends.

Figure that there are 3 bearings that this will fit (one in the rear and 2 up front).



Only thing I might add to your list is multiple allen head wrenches.  I have had to use them when highway pegs came loose on a ride and to take my tank off when my petcock started mucking up.

[bigfish_Oh]

you guys are starting to worry me, 10 out of 187 have had problems or know of problems? Is the age of of the Valk a big factor or just high mileage? my new to me 99 has 22K and good maint. plus the going over I will do in the spring.
    My best trip was just over 1000 miles fast/hard 2 up miles on my 6 year old '82 CBX that before leaving, I had the case split, put together, road around block and left. I never had any issues on 4 1000 milers. I did blow a 1268 engine 3 blocks from home !!(1047 stock)

[Strider]

Brother - don't worry.  Most dependable motorcycle ever.  I mean DDT has what, 400,000 miles on his and never been in the engine or tranny - just from the U-Joint-back (stuff that takes the torque).

Hard6 (JP) and I go through everything everytime I change tires (bushings, splines, etc).  I have changed bushings and stuff - but that was at 90k miles.  In 100k, I have blown two fork seals which has nothing to do with dependability of the bike, just hit something rough in Colorado and this last time was the other side, so the seal had 100k on it (plus I found some rust spots behind the fork cover that I must have missed during cleaning - that probably had something to do with it).  The only other problem I have had is a leaking petcock (but the bike was used when I bought it and I think the original owner did something and didn't put the o-ring at the base of the tank tube back in).

That's it!  Well, I have blown two of the single bearings in the rear wheel.  The first one was the original with the bike and the last one was in Minnesota.  So, if a couple of fork seals and rear wheel bearings are all that I have had to change in 100k, I think I'll keep Traveller.  She has never been to a dealer for maintenance - just worked on by VRCC folks.

The reason I carry a full set of tools and now a single race bearing is I do like to take back roads at times and I don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere because of lack of a tool.  The old boy scout motto - be prepared.

Again, most dependable motorcycle ever made.  Traveller has never stranded me.

[Alaskamike]

Those are all good ideas.   Forgot about the headlamp thing - I'll get one of those!   I've had the fun of hosting several groups of riders on Alaska trips as well as the Yukon, and when they ask what to bring I always told them
"bring what you would wear if it was 80 and dry all the way to what you would want on if there was a 40mph crosswind, it was 40degrees and sheeting rain...."

Plus, you'd better have basic tools that fit the common nuts, bolts, and allens on YOUR bike.  Out here you can bee a long way from help and need to know your bike.

I agree the Valk is dependable ... but there is always Murphy's law out there somewhere...

I've only put about 2,000 myself on the Valk I bought, but put 40,000 on my other tourer in couple of years (brand causes consternation... so I won't mention the word HD  ) and only had a loose shift lever in all those miles.

Working on it (yes I have aftermarket stuff on her)  has given me confidence that I understand the basic mechanics, how to remove the rear tire, do the splines, where all the electrical stuff is and how it is hooked in, and what MIGHT go wrong to diagnose a protential problem.  Stock is great, but even if you've never put a wrench on a bolt, doen't mean it will not come loose.  In fact I've touched factory bolts that were never tourqed down in the first place.  Glad I touched 'em.

 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

On a ride up to Minnesota, I sure was lucky that I had thrown an extra single race bearing in my bag before the trip.  From now on, I will have one.  When they go, they go - and you don't.

Had to change it in a parking lot - with a LOT of help from my friends.

Figure that there are 3 bearings that this will fit (one in the rear and 2 up front).



Only thing I might add to your list is multiple allen head wrenches.  I have had to use them when highway pegs came loose on a ride and to take my tank off when my petcock started mucking up.

Do the double roll bearing mod on the left side and that won't happen again ....I hope 

[czuch]

Alaska is a different world as far as spares go. I drove a moving van and when in Seattle I'd meet the Alaska haulers. Totally a different breed-o-trucker. Mechanics with a parts store in the trailer.
400 gallons of fuel and a dozen tires. They were prepared to camp out for weeks.
 In Arizona its 2 gallons of water, and one of em's frozen. Long sleeves and a big hat.
Basic,basic tools. The kids know how to hook up the trailer and hope we break so they can drive.
 

[fudgie]

Muck like everyone else said. I also throw in a u joint and drive shaft. I got some expandable paper towel stuff that expands when wet. Useful when someone has to pee out in the hills.    I also got a cordless soldering gun. Basicly my right bag is full of tools. I got a trojan or 2 in my shield pouches. These and a handgun, cause you never know who you meet at night! 

[BF]

A new Goldwing.   

[Karen]

Spare radiator cap.

[PhredValk]

Tool kit that came with the bike
Metric socket set with short ratchet
metric wrenches
metric ratcheting box wrenches
6" adjustable wrench
6" vice grips
pliars
multi screwdriver
metric allen wrench set
baby food jar of electrical connectors
electrical connector crimper/wire stripper
8 and 14 gage wire
needle nose pliars
air compressor
tire plug kit
duct tape (used it for sun shield on helmet visor)
and most important: credit card, AMA membership, GWRRA Gold Book and cellphone.
Fred.

[DIGGER]

Here is my list I go over for a motorcycle trip.   When the wife goes on a long trip we trailer so some of the stuff is for trailering.   


TRIP PLANNER

MOTORCYLE KEYS!!!!!!!!!
SUNGLASSES
TOILITRIES
CLOTHES
UNDERWEAR AND SOCKS
COLD WEATHER THERMALS AND SOCKS
MEDICINE
RAIN SUIT
CAMERA
HOT HANDS FOR GLOVES
MAPS
FLASHLITE
TOOLS
INSURANCE CARD
SLEEPING BAG AND MATTRESS
TENT
ICECHEST
DUCT TAPE
ELECT TAPE
GLASSES
MONEY
HELMET
EXTRA HELMET GLASSES
TOBOGGAN
NECK WARMER
SWEATER
GLOVES
GLOVE LINERS
GARBAGE BAGS
INSULATED BOOTS
DRY SHOES
SPARE TIRE FOR TRAILER
TOOL KIT
TITLE TO BIKE
BOOKS TO READ
SUN TAN LOTION
BANDANA OR DO RAG
AIRPUMP AND TUBLESS TIRE PLUGS
EXTRA BUNGY CORDS

[Alaskamike]

Digger.... great list!   I always carry a sleeing bag on long trips too.  Never know when you'll have to camp overnight in a remote place.  I also carry mosquito dope...., once forgot it, never again!

[DIGGER]

Digger.... great list!   I always carry a sleeing bag on long trips too.  Never know when you'll have to camp overnight in a remote place.  I also carry mosquito dope...., once forgot it, never again!

Iff it aint on the list it can be bought at the nearest Walmart.

[Oss]

how do you fit a toboggan in the valkyrie?

[Chiefy]

2 things, Duct tape and WD-40.

If it moves, and it's not supposed to: Duct tape
If it doesn't move, but it's supposed to: WD-40

[chip]

 
My list is always a changing, Hell  I just threw a umbrella in my saddle bag. For shade yet ! crap now the sun will never shine while I ride. Thanks HotGlue

[TheSpadMan]

WHAT !?!?!?!  Nobody has a BallPeen Hammer ?!?!?!? 

[bigdog99]

i actually took a rope and put it in a walmart bag. on the outside of the bag i put Harley Emergency kit.
my buddy on the HD didnt laugh as much as i did, and yep we're still friends

[fudgie]

i actually took a rope and put it in a walmart bag. on the outside of the bag i put Harley Emergency kit.
my buddy on the HD didnt laugh as much as i did, and yep we're still friends

MAD6Guns and I helped a HD broke down near Indy 2 summers ago. I pulled him to the next exit with a ratchet strap. 

[fudgie]

WHAT !?!?!?!  Nobody has a BallPeen Hammer ?!?!?!? 

Like my HD bud has? 

[Spirited-6]

WHAT !?!?!?!  Nobody has a BallPeen Hammer ?!?!?!? 

Like my HD bud has? 

How come the hammer is "CLEAN" ??? Use it a lot ?

[Bladedog]

All great things to carry. But a fully charged cell phone, a credit card, a "VRCC Vortex printout" and a handgun for those times you least expect.

Ok, dumb question time... what is a VRCC Vortex Printout?

[Alaskamike]

Awww.... Digger.... a Wallmart?    You obviously have never crossed the Yukon, British Columbia or Alaska....
Hard at times to find a gas station that's open, let alone a box store like Wallmart!

[fudgie]

WHAT !?!?!?!  Nobody has a BallPeen Hammer ?!?!?!? 

Like my HD bud has? 

How come the hammer is "CLEAN" ??? Use it a lot ?

Back scratcher and mirror basher.

[Al in AK]

Awww.... Digger.... a Wallmart?    You obviously have never crossed the Yukon, British Columbia or Alaska....
Hard at times to find a gas station that's open, let alone a box store like Wallmart!

Actually there are plenty of Walmarts on the routes to and from Alaska. They make good rest stops.
I always stop at the one in Grande Prairie, as it falls right into one of my mileage stops.

http://www.allstays.com/c/walmart-canada-locations.htm

[Steve K (IA)]

[/quote]

Ok, dumb question time... what is a VRCC Vortex Printout?
[/quote]

Vortex is a list of members willing to help a guy out in an emergency.  Look for it here...........
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/    look down down the left side.

Or, direct link....
http://www.f6rider.com/Valk/vortex.htm

[Willow]

Ok, dumb question time... what is a VRCC Vortex Printout?

A sort word of explanation on VORTEX:

When a person joins the VRCC (or anytime after) the option is given to join the VORTEX and allow his or her contact information to be shared.  It's member maintained.  That is to say that once a member places himself on that list he won't be removed unless he himself goes out and removes his entry.

The VRCC membership database contains entries for over thirty thousand persons.  Of those, three or four thousand may be active.  If someone sells, his Valkyries, relocates, or just walks away from the VRCC his entry may very well still be in VORTEX.

All that is to explain that there are some very valid entries in VORTEX, but, due to the age of the list and the turnover of members, the list is also filled with no longer valid entries.

Use VORTEX with a sense of some caution.

[Bladedog]

Ok, dumb question time... what is a VRCC Vortex Printout?
[/quote]

Vortex is a list of members willing to help a guy out in an emergency.  Look for it here...........
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/    look down down the left side.

Or, direct link....
http://www.f6rider.com/Valk/vortex.htm
[/quote]

  oops.. Duuuhhh yep, the senility is now creeping into my cerebral ashes.  I'm already signed up. 

[Strider]

I was digging through some old pictures of when I had a bearing go out in the rear wheel while on a ride in Minnesota and it brought back home why a decent tool kit with you is so important.  Even with what I carry, it would have been nay impossible to have gotten it taken care of without the help of the friends I was riding with - heck, one guy even had a socket for the axle.  And my bearing went completely out!  One race and 3 bearings left when we finally got it out.  I tell you what as well, the guy who worked at the musuem was a LIFESAVER as well getting us some boards and 2 jacks that we were able to lay them across.  It sure beat the alternative of lifting it up and putting the Valk on a rock.

Always better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it - ya know.



I always try to carry a full set of tools, a good set of screwdrivers, a Craftsman Spanner wrench, a couple of allen wrenches, tie wraps, electrical tape, small air compressor and a tire plug kit (that luckilly I have not had to use yet).