What spares to keep on hand?

[mike72903]

Won't pick up my bike for a few days but been reading through the tech forum here and seems like there are several items prone to fail on a Vakyrie. Among others the petcock ad U joint.  Started to wonder if it would be smart to keep spares of some parts on hand. Any recommendations of what I should keep? How about on trips?  Any recommended things to take along?  Thanks, Mike

[gordonv]

Well, since you mentioned trips, there is only 2 "parts" I would bring.

A tire patch plug kit, and air compressor. Those, tools, and a service manual (not a repair). I like having a paper copy, and you can get a PDF copy from Valkyrie Norway. http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

I have spare parts, taken from my wrecked bike. No one local has asked me for anything at all.

Like others like to say here, Ride it like you stole it, and fix it when it breaks.

In the meantime, continue ready this forum, so you can get an idea of what some symptoms are for different problems, and how to fix them.

The above, and a Roadside Assistance membership is what I do when I'm out riding, close or far. I joined Goldwing (and Valkyries) Road Riders Association, and signed up for the Roadside Assistance for $80 annually for the whole family, which includes motorcycle towing, which my CAA (AAA) wanted extra money for.

[YoungPUP]

I tend to keep parts that my dealer has to wait a few days to get.  That way I don't end up stranded or can help someone in need ( I've sold parts back to the dealer before for emergency repairs for stranded riders).  That being said I've got 2 full sets of fork rebuild parts (seals, sliders, cap O-rings, as well as the oring for the bottom bolt).  2 petcock rebuild kits, and misc. crash type parts, turn signals etc.

[Hoser]

An AMA membership, AMA champion or life member, (free towing) a petcock and a cell phone.  And money, of course.   Along with the patch kit and compressor. Happy motoring.    Hoser   

[Red Diamond]

Won't pick up my bike for a few days but been reading through the tech forum here and seems like there are several items prone to fail on a Vakyrie. Among others the petcock ad U joint.  Started to wonder if it would be smart to keep spares of some parts on hand. Any recommendations of what I should keep? How about on trips?  Any recommended things to take along?  Thanks, Mike

A petcock fails if it is abused ie, turn it off every time you shut the bike off. A U-joint fails if you tow an 18 wheeler. I try to carry an alternator on long trips, most of the time I forget to include it in my packing.

[old2soon]

The ONLY time she left me high and dry was when the altenator crapped out BUT I was only 60 miles from the house and a friend of mine came out with his trailer. O-rings for the rear end service and if you know what your next service is get some of the stuff ahead of time. I had a rear brake lock up on me and the dealer did not have the new O-rings for the brake caliper in stock. I now have on hand enough caliper O-rings-front and rear-to rebuild all 3 calipers 2 more times each. And that caliper locked up in my garage so she didn't leave me stranded-I just couldn't ride.  RIDE SAFE.

[Bighead]

100k + and all I have ever done is change the plugs once and the air filter three times and the oil and tires regularly so the only spare parts I keep on hand is a spare oil filter and 4 qTS of oil. And as far as Turing the petcock off every time you turn the bike off  well I never turn mine off and have the same one OEM that came new on mine 16 years ago and still works when I have to hit reserve. Never leaked or anything else.

[CoachDoc]

Won't pick up my bike for a few days but been reading through the tech forum here and seems like there are several items prone to fail on a Vakyrie. Among others the petcock ad U joint.  Started to wonder if it would be smart to keep spares of some parts on hand. Any recommendations of what I should keep? How about on trips?  Any recommended things to take along?  Thanks, Mike

A petcock fails if it is abused ie, turn it off every time you shut the bike off. A U-joint fails if you tow an 18 wheeler. I try to carry an alternator on long trips, most of the time I forget to include it in my packing.

Are you seriously suggesting that turning your petcock off regularly is abusing it? I find that hard to believe.

[thewoodman]

Since we do long distances a few times a year and we each ride separate bikes, here are some things that I never leave the house without:
full tool kit in the saddle bag and a smaller on in the tank bag
tire plug kits and mini air compressor
wheel bearings for both front and rear [came in handy last October]
a spare universal joint
sometimes I carry signal light bulbs

I hate being broken down and I find that most Honda dealers don't carry much that helps me and they have the worst service philosophy for broke down travelers that I have ever experienced [also from a few personal experiences]

[9Ball]

things that tend to break when you least expect it are the sidestand bolt, plastic valve stem holder, petcock.  You can usually get bulbs at any auto store but I always carry spare fuses, a voltage test light, tie wraps, and valve stems.

Enjoy the new bike.  Regular maintenance will keep you from having many problems...

[R J]

After 243K + miles on MGM, here is my take along parts,kits.

String plugs, glue, rasp and knife.
I have in the 17 years I've owned this bike, gone through 3 little comoressors.
I have used them maybe twice, and for got to spray WD40 down on the piston.  It will FREEZE up with the cylinder wall.

$$$$, clean clothes and that is it.

Here is a packing list I have used since about mid 1970's.

   T-shirts                          Jacket (3)
   Regular shirts                Electric Vest
                              Laundry Bag
   Shorts – Walking   X   Rain Gear
   Shorts – Underwear      Car hart - Pants, jacket
         
   Socks - Regular                 Tire Repair Kit
   Socks - Shorts                 Air Compressor
         
   Pants      
                               Rubber boots for rain
   Handkerchiefs      
   Swim Suit      
         
   Money - Cash                 Helmet
   Money - Travelers Checks   Face Shield
   Money - Checkbook      Gloves
                              Cell Phone & Charger
   Sun Screen      
   Camera      
   Rechargable Batteries      
   Road Maps      
         
   Razor      
   Deodorant                  Toothbrush      
   Tooth Paste                GPS
   Shampoo                Laptop
         
   Liquid Soap                Polish Supplies
   Tweezers      
   Comb      
         
   Medication (Pills)      
                             Destination:
         
   Boots                              CBR
   Shoes      
   Shoe Horn               # of nights          2
         
As you can see, a few items were added after it was 1st constructed.   This was last used on Doc's CBR event.

[olddog1946]

I do carry a small compressor and a string type patch kit (never used), for long trips I carry an alternator, and u-joint, spare bulbs and a petcock rebuild kit. and wheel bearings.  I did have to repair the petcock on my trip to Inzane 13 (limped it in 230 miles before fixing) and of course my front brakes locked up and ended up having to rebuild the calipers and master cylinder while at my Sis's place (added a week to my trip, waiting for parts)..

In the future I'll carry just the compressor and patch kit. Murphy's law dictates, whatever you carry is not enough and I have no time constraints on any trip I take, so I'll just deal with what happens to fail when it fails. I have always taken the time to check out my bike thoroughly before any long trip and will continue to do that.

[old2soon]

I do carry a small compressor and a string type patch kit (never used), for long trips I carry an alternator, and u-joint, spare bulbs and a petcock rebuild kit. and wheel bearings.  I did have to repair the petcock on my trip to Inzane 13 (limped it in 230 miles before fixing) and of course my front brakes locked up and ended up having to rebuild the calipers and master cylinder while at my Sis's place (added a week to my trip, waiting for parts)..

In the future I'll carry just the compressor and patch kit. Murphy's law dictates, whatever you carry is not enough and I have no time constraints on any trip I take, so I'll just deal with what happens to fail when it fails. I have always taken the time to check out my bike thoroughly before any long trip and will continue to do that.

      When I had to order the rear caliper O-rings and dealer DID NOT have front caliper O-rings in stock wuz when I decided to stock up on caliper O-rings.  RIDE SAFE.

[crow]

I ride with a tire plugger and a compressor that goes in a spark plug hole ( used it once, WHAT A LIFE SAVER) , road flares, and a Major first aid kit; that has a sever bleeding compress,( I forget where I bought it. It is chemicaly treated to stop major bleeding and It does have a shelf life )
jack daniels, sutures, tournequet. Eye compress ect.

[Hook#3287]

Having owned the same Valkyrie since 1999 and with 115K on her, I've changed alot of parts.  Whenever I order a part, I order two, cause I figure if I needed it once, I'll probably need it again.

I always have 3 sets of brake pads, extra wheel bearings, dust seals, caliper o-rings, intake o-rings, exhaust gaskets and many many more, on hand.  I've got a petcock rebuild set. 

I've got a water pump(used) and u-joint (new).  Light bulbs, all the parts for a front suspension re-build, head cover gaskets in case I damaged one when doing a valve adjustment.

Not to mention countless nuts, bolts and screws.  All oem.

I even bought some used stuff from a trike job, so I have an extra pumpkin, drive shaft and u-joint.

Maybe it's a bit much, but when I'm working on something and a part just isn't looking right, I usually got it new.

There so much more I could have.

Riding, I carry a tire plug kit w/co2 cartridges, along with the oem tool bag and a small socket set.

[9Ball]

Won't pick up my bike for a few days but been reading through the tech forum here and seems like there are several items prone to fail on a Vakyrie. Among others the petcock ad U joint.  Started to wonder if it would be smart to keep spares of some parts on hand. Any recommendations of what I should keep? How about on trips?  Any recommended things to take along?  Thanks, Mike

It seems that some of the replies got a bit off track if I'm reading your original question correctly.

You're not necessarily looking for what to carry on the bike but rather what you should have handy in the workshop, especially those items that are prone to failure, are routine maintenance consumables, or take a long lead time to receive.

If that was the intent, then there are a few suggestions.  If you already got the info you were looking for, then "never mind."

Good luck.

[old grouch]

My $.02 worth.  If your Valk has add-ons of an electrical nature, (lights, heated gear hook-ups, cigarette lighter, etc) make sure that they are all wired through relays, either individual or a single relay powering a fuse block.  Only time I ever had a "breakdown" on the Valk or the 'Wing was due to accessories being improperly wired by a PO.  (shorted out, killed the DanMarc, no fuel, no go, like that)  Good regular maintenance and thorough pre trip inspection should preclude breakdowns.  Tires, brakes, fluids, battery.  Before you start on a long trip, if it looks "iffy" replace it.  As to spares on a trip, "if I have a spare, that part won't break, the part that breaks will be one I don't have".  That said, I do carry fuses & bulbs, tape, plug kit & tools.  FWIW  Stan

[dan7uk]

Two things, a good cell phone and a credit card.

[Oss]

frogg toggs (rain wear)
I have found that putting them on greatly increases the chance that
it will immediately stop raining    

wheel bearings, front brake pads, o ring set for splines, spare valve stem clip and metal valve stem in case another valk breaks down, bottle of ride on (same reason), compressor and c02 and plug kitfirst aid kit with extra gloves,
17/14/11/10/8 mm wrenches and sockets/driver/long phillips screwdriver for the speedo when it has several times just gone dead on my interstate, extra glasses, toe warmer packets,
petcock rebuild kit
I had carried the u joint for a year till I needed it

Now I am wondering if I should order a spare alternator before my next trip out west  
as I will be on a tight schedule

As it is I expect to ship a new 200 battleaxe or excedra tire out to BigBF in Phoenix as my tire should be over 10k by then

[mike72903]

Won't pick up my bike for a few days but been reading through the tech forum here and seems like there are several items prone to fail on a Vakyrie. Among others the petcock ad U joint.  Started to wonder if it would be smart to keep spares of some parts on hand. Any recommendations of what I should keep? How about on trips?  Any recommended things to take along?  Thanks, Mike

It seems that some of the replies got a bit off track if I'm reading your original question correctly.

You're not necessarily looking for what to carry on the bike but rather what you should have handy in the workshop, especially those items that are prone to failure, are routine maintenance consumables, or take a long lead time to receive.

If that was the intent, then there are a few suggestions.  If you already got the info you were looking for, then "never mind."

Good luck.

That was my original intent. Please enlighten me with your suggestions. All the Replys have been very helpful and appreciated and going to be useful. I want all the knowledge possible. Got a little spooked after reading this tech forum initially. After picking up my bike (hopefully next week) I'm going to start accumulating some things.  I have a local Honda dealer but would it be wiser to use other sources when available?
Appreciate all the Replys,
Mike

[old2soon]

Won't pick up my bike for a few days but been reading through the tech forum here and seems like there are several items prone to fail on a Vakyrie. Among others the petcock ad U joint.  Started to wonder if it would be smart to keep spares of some parts on hand. Any recommendations of what I should keep? How about on trips?  Any recommended things to take along?  Thanks, Mike

It seems that some of the replies got a bit off track if I'm reading your original question correctly.

You're not necessarily looking for what to carry on the bike but rather what you should have handy in the workshop, especially those items that are prone to failure, are routine maintenance consumables, or take a long lead time to receive.

If that was the intent, then there are a few suggestions.  If you already got the info you were looking for, then "never mind."

Good luck.

That was my original intent. Please enlighten me with your suggestions. All the Replys have been very helpful and appreciated and going to be useful. I want all the knowledge possible. Got a little spooked after reading this tech forum initially. After picking up my bike (hopefully next week) I'm going to start accumulating some things.  I have a local Honda dealer but would it be wiser to use other sources when available?
Appreciate all the Replys,
Mike

IF IF IF your dealer will price match then it's all good. Honda Direct Line-Shadyside Oh.-Ron Ayers and others supply most of what we need. We have suppliers that sponsor this board. Look at them to. You can eliminate SOME trial and error with this board and the fine folks that populate it.  An alt and a locked up rear brake in 50000 miles of riding are the only issues I've had-so far!!  I DO NOT consider regular maint and tire replacement as issues. Also look at known problems with the Valkyrie. We have at our fingertips a LOT of been there done that.  RIDE SAFE.

[9Ball]

Won't pick up my bike for a few days but been reading through the tech forum here and seems like there are several items prone to fail on a Vakyrie. Among others the petcock ad U joint.  Started to wonder if it would be smart to keep spares of some parts on hand. Any recommendations of what I should keep? How about on trips?  Any recommended things to take along?  Thanks, Mike

It seems that some of the replies got a bit off track if I'm reading your original question correctly.

You're not necessarily looking for what to carry on the bike but rather what you should have handy in the workshop, especially those items that are prone to failure, are routine maintenance consumables, or take a long lead time to receive.

If that was the intent, then there are a few suggestions.  If you already got the info you were looking for, then "never mind."

Good luck.

That was my original intent. Please enlighten me with your suggestions. All the Replys have been very helpful and appreciated and going to be useful. I want all the knowledge possible. Got a little spooked after reading this tech forum initially. After picking up my bike (hopefully next week) I'm going to start accumulating some things.  I have a local Honda dealer but would it be wiser to use other sources when available?
Appreciate all the Replys,
Mike

Well Mike, here's a few of the things that I've found to have handy.  Most Honda dealers don't have a very big inventory of Valkyrie parts and usually order them from the nearest Honda warehouse....sometimes as quickly as a day, sometimes up to a week.  If you order parts online, such as from HDL, with some exceptions they do the same thing.  I've had delays of 2-3 weeks getting parts and unless you order a lot at any given time, then you pay a handling charge.  This makes it prudent to order a lot of parts during periodic sales when there are 10-15% off deals, such as going on now.

Here are a few items I've found that were handy to have in a box to avoid having the bike down while waiting for replacements.  These items are also commonly identified as a problem during routine maintenance or can get damaged while doing the work and can keep you from riding while waiting for parts.

-brake pads
-brake caliper pins and plugs-they tend to be found seized during removal, especially if it's been a
 long time since the brake pads were changed or anti-seize wasn't used during assembly
-oil drain washers-engine oil and final drive use same 14mm aluminum washers
-intake O-rings, vacuum intake plugs...also, if not de-smogged then tubing for PAIR and petcock
-master cylinder rebuild kits
-caliper piston seals
-overflow coolant bottle (bottom nipple gets brittle with age and can snap off during removal for
 cleaning).
-coolant drain (copper) washers
-final drive O-rings (three different) and thrust washers
-throttle cables
-clutch lever bushing
-wheel bearings
-fork seals and bushings
-sidestand bolt and spring
-side cover grommets
-drive shaft (pinion cup) oil seal

These are a few that I always keep on hand....there are others but can't think of them right now.

[PhredValk]

Most large parts like the alternator I keep at home, and the roomie can overnight to me. I carry tire plugs and compressor, tools for everything, including torque wrench and the huge sockets for axle nuts. Final drive O-rings, fuses, U-joint, grease and moly paste, bearings, 12 and 18 gauge wire, bulbs. Clymer maintenance guide and laptop to access this site. Extra gloves, rain gear, bungee cords, rope, sidestand bolt and spring, a quart of oil. Saddle bags and trunk help a lot!

Mostly I carry AMA and credit cards. These have been the most helpful.
Fred.

[Jess from VA]

What spares to keep on hand?

You mean like one of these?

[Christbiker]

The Bible

[Wewaman]

Amen
all info here is great but I only carry all of those things so that I will be able to offer help to those in need.

Wewa

[Tundra]

I keep my bike well maintained and carry absolutely nothing except my AAA RV Plus motorcycle card, cellphone and credit card. My Valkyrie has been trailered home 3 times, card pays for itself. I just don't like carrying parts, my thinking is not the norm on this topic.