Whats in your toobox?

[Varmintmist]

I've been in the garage puttering, taking the led plate frame off the Aero and getting ready to put it on the Valkyrie, moving the bags over, and such. While I was cussing at working out of tool boxes, again, and swearing I am going to make a Sears run and buy a roll around 12-15 drawer tool box, again, I started thinking about what I should be carrying on the bigger bike.

Anyone have a list of tools they carry ALL of the time, wont leave home without, not even to go to the gas station?
And maybe a list for when you know you are headed out to put serious miles on, or a multi-day trip?

[Joe Hummer]

I have a small toolkit that I picked up for a job once...has a little everything in it...sockets, wrenches, driver bits, allen wrenches...for about $12 at Walmart...I think.  That augments my Honda Toolkit...which has a small pair of pliers in it.  If I need more tools than that...well...I am screwed.  These will take care of most of my small roadside/parking lot repairs.  I have my roadside assistance program for anything more.   

If you need more than that, you are riding the wrong places, the wrong bike, and the wrong way.

Joe

[chrise2469]

For any trip outside the city, I throw on the saddlebags and one bag has the tools.

The tools are:
Honda tool kit under the seat

In the saddlebag:
roll of duct tape
roll of electrical tape
crescent wrench big
8 inch channel lock pliers
electric air compressor
#2 phillips screwdriver
2 headlight bulbs
small dmm
stop and go tire plugger

a small zip back which holds:
3 inch wire cutter
4 inch needle nose
3 spark plugs
small xacto knife
spare 30 amp relay
bunch of cable ties
8 piece metric hex key set
10mm ratcheting wrench
5/16 wrench (speedbleeder size)
magnetic tool pickup
apx 10ft of 16 gauge wire
29pc racheting screwdriver set
another bit set
spare air stem cap
spare valve stem support
spring hook
small set of feeler gauges
small pilot adjusting tool from jet kit.

It sure sounds like a lot but only takes up the bottom  few inches of the saddle bag.  I can still fit my rainjacket, heated vest, rubber overboots, rain overgloves, electric gloves, girlfriends heated vest, rain ovegloves, electric gloves, extra tie down straps in the saddlebag.

As to carrying this much: it is the right bike, I am riding it right but sh!t happens.  There are many parts of western Canada where there is no cell reception off the main routes.  Add to the fact you may be as far as 100km from the nearest town, maybe 10 or 20kms from the nearest farm.... you probably want to try everything you can to get mobile again.  Even if you can limp your way to the next town its far better than sitting there for a day waiting for someone to drive by.

[Master Blaster]

Most important outside of the factory tool kit is a plug kit and small compressor.  I also carry a replacement for the left rear wheel bearing.  Most common failure on the road is flats.  Another worthwhile part is the petcock rebuild kit.  These things dont take much room and can save a trip.  I dont go too heavy on the tools, just a few common ones as I am usually with a Bud and can find about anything I am likely to need locally.

[fudgie]

I have bike jumpers, Honda kit, screw driver, set of f/r bearings, vac hose, tape, bulbs, leatherman tool, fork seals, dust seals, tire plug and air comp, and a few other mic stuff. When I head west I throw in alot of sockets and wrenches. More importantly I have some can & bottle coozies! And a flask or two!  Packing lighter this year. I also have road side asst through the Wing site.