Parts to keep on hand...

[Fazer]

OK, I have been monitoring the late post about U Joints and have decided to pick one up, and a boot, even though I am only at about 28,000 miles. 

What other parts should one have on hand?  What about a spare drive shaft?  Pinion cup?  Things like dampeners, cover sets for the petcock, kick stand bolt/spring (which I have)?  Alternator, water pump?  Starter?

[hubcapsc]

OK, I have been monitoring the late post about U Joints and have decided to pick one up, and a boot, even though I am only at about 28,000 miles. 

What other parts should one have on hand?  What about a spare drive shaft?  Pinion cup?  Things like dampeners, cover sets for the petcock, kick stand bolt/spring (which I have)?  Alternator, water pump?  Starter?

Starters never break. I broke mine  but it didn't break all by itself.

-Mike

[Houdini]

I keep a u-joint, alternator, kick stand bolt and spring, throttle cables, cover set(s), the rubber grommets for the side covers and o-rings for the pumpkin.  And a huge box of miscellaneous other parts, nuts bolts, etc.

[Jess from VA]

When my Ujoint exploded, I ordered a Ujoint, shaft and cup ('cause who knew what I'd find?).  I only needed the joint.  I'm not unhappy to have them (wasn't going to return them), but I probably don't need them on hand.  I'm not certain, but I think the shaft and cup is more of a lousy rear end service/lube (or no service) issue than a mechanically worn out issue (unless installed wrong).  If they look good/excellent at each tire change, why have a spare?

Radios on interstates can go out, not often.  When a steal price came up, I got one.

My permanent supervalk has been corroding at the lower fender half (tip and connection points to upper half, and mount to plate/signal) for some time (it used to be a Massetwoshits bike).  I've tried to clean it up.  It continues to be OK, but I picked up like new black fender (upper and lower) for reasonable last year.  Probably not a TX issue (winter salt/chloride).

I think part of the decision making on this issue is if you plan to keep your bike(s) forever.  I do.  

Every time I think about new or newer bikes or cars/trux, I must remember that my county has the we-tax-your-vehicles-forever-plan (personal property tax), and a $40K vehicle will cost you another $7K (or so) over the next ten years after purchase.  They can KISS MY ASS, so I'm keeping my stuff forever.  

[Fazer]

Just order a u joint, boot, and drive shaft from partzilla w/ free shipping.  I intend to ride this thing for a long time.  Anything happens, I can always sell the parts.  Who knows they may be in short supply by then.

[old2soon]

Just order a u joint, boot, and drive shaft from partzilla w/ free shipping.  I intend to ride this thing for a long time.  Anything happens, I can always sell the parts.  Who knows they may be in short supply by then.

              You ONLY Ever Need an alt when you only ever NEED an alt. IF you have one with you When yours decides all on it's own to take a dump-well I have NEVEREVERNEVER broken down in the parking lot or near a dealer. With my big trucks or my cages or any of my scooters. ALWAYS been in or near B F E when things go south. RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

Just order a u joint, boot, and drive shaft from partzilla w/ free shipping.  I intend to ride this thing for a long time.  Anything happens, I can always sell the parts.  Who knows they may be in short supply by then.

A toasted driveshaft probably fits into a matchingly toasted pinion cup...

-Mike

[Bagger John - #3785]

All the stuff needed to R&R your rear wheel - O rings, thrust washer, moly paste. Plus a spare set of dampers.

A petcock rebuild kit (per bike) if running the OEM fuel shutoff. This includes the tank screen.

A set of wheel seals.

The little plastic valve stem retainers.

A spare carb diaphragm, float, float needle and all the O rings needed to disassemble/reassemble the carb banks.

A starter idler, clutch cover gasket and other pieces needed to cure a hydrolock.

A clutch damper assembly.

A pinion cup and a few seals.

A spline set for the rear wheel + final drive.

Coolant assembly parts (water pump, thermostat housing seals, radiator hoses, thermostat, etc.).

I'm planning on keeping both of my Valkyries for a while, so my spares list is going to be a little more comprehensive than what I've listed above. Maybe a whole transmission. Maybe a whole, low-mileage motor.

[Hook#3287]

I have several Valks, so I keep a lot of parts on hand.

Nothing is worse than pulling the pads out of your caliper, then finding it's time to rebuild the caliper instead and you ain't got the parts.
 
That means waiting for the UPS guy and I hate having a bike down, waiting for the UPS guy, unless there's snow on the ground.

I keep all the replaceable parts for all calipers, including springs, boots, seals, hanger pins & plugs and of course, pads, on hand.

Every time I purchased a small part, especially a rubber one like a brake and clutch lever boot, I order 2.

I figure, I needed it once, I'll probably need it again.

Pretty much ever part Honda says to replace during repairs or maintenance, I have.  Doesn't mean I'm going to replace them, but I have them if I want too.  I don't feel they'll lose value.

I also have a water pump, alt, all fork rebuild parts, air filter and airbox gaskets, shock bushings and hundreds of the special o-rings, nuts, bolts & washers our Valk's have.  That's just to name a few.

I don't ride around with a spare Alt in my bags as some guys do, and there's nothing wrong with doing so.   If one decides to go south on me, I'll park her and go get my trailer.  No way I'm swapping one of those on the side of the road.  If I traveled like DDT, I might adjust that plan.

Outside of that time when the U-joints were back ordered, I can't think of any other major issue getting things replaced, whether by getting new, used or aftermarket.  Maybe someone else will.

Basically it's have on hand, whatever you can't or don't want, to wait for.

[Bighead]

at 28k miles just a good supply of gas and an oil change here and there.

[Steel cowboy]

I carry one extra piece of insurance for my bike or jeep, it's not an engine part or body part. It's an extra set of keys  .

[Tfrank59]

I guess this is more about what to have on hand at home, rather than what to carry on your bike?  I have an extra rear wheel, pumpkin and drive shaft.  Got those on CL a couple a years ago, along with a rear brake caliper.  Haven't used any of those parts, but it's one of those murphy's law things--you'll need it unless you already have it  Honestly, I don't think I'll do any major repairs at this point (hence no engine parts on hand, nor forks or frame stuff, etc.), as it's a Valk and with just 60K on the clock I don't believe it (1) will need anything but basic maintenance to keep going for many more miles or (2) would be worth it for me to invest a lot of time or money in a 19 year old bike, if something major were to occur.  I guess part of my outlook stems from having a second (younger) bike that I can ride if my big girl ever takes a dump.  That's my 1.5 cents.

[BigBod]

A guy I have been riding with for over 25 years always carries way more stuff than I ever thought he needed...He just broke down on his 84 GL1200 Goldwing in Switzerland....luckily enough he just happened to have a spare head gasket with him...changed on the campsite with the tools he had with him and completed the rest of his trip...

Peace of mind to have some one that good with a spanner riding with you...

[98valk]

Drive shaft end seal should be replaced every other tire change. When it fails, the spline and cup grease will fly out into the swing arm, leaving the splines dry.

see posts
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,93344.0.html