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What to carry in on bike tool bag?

17K views 35 replies 22 participants last post by  HKMark23 
#1 ·
Aside from keeping a shock spanner wrench in my saddlebags and the Gerber multi-tool I usually have on my belt, I don't carry any tools with me when I ride. I know, probably not real smart. So I'm thinking a should get a tool bag to mount on the bike but wondering what to keep in it?

I can guess the usual/obvious things like a medium sized adjustable, multi-bit screwdriver, perhaps a roll of electrical tape, and a multi-size hex tool but what else? Obviously you don't want to lugging around 30 pounds of tools but at the same time if you are gonna carry some it may as well be useful. So what do you all carry? BTW...I ride a 2009 FXDC if that makes a difference.
 
#2 ·
Auto Club card and Visa card. The perfect toolkit. Realistically, what are you going to fix at the side of the road?

Oh yeah, and a ShamWow to wipe the dew from my seat so I don't get a wet azz.
 
#4 ·
Auto Club card and Visa card. The perfect toolkit. Realistically, what are you going to fix at the side of the road?
Chris, you make a very good point. I have had to stop and help my uncle fix some small stuff on his older Sportster 1200 XL, but all we needed was a leatherman multi-tool, and it was all good. You can even hook it to your belt, or stick it in your boot if you needed to.

Other than a pocket-knife, I don't carry much other than my cell phone, and my wallet. I can call a friend to bring a trailer and some tie-downs, and then drive to the house or the local shop (major repair). :thumbsup
 
#3 ·
I carry a small tire repair (plug) kit, can of Fix-A-Flat (with the hose), HD air pump for shocks, Leatherman tool, pliars, a few nylon ties, electrical tape and spare fuses.

Outside of that.....a cellphone and a list of a few people that I can count on if it's 3am and I need someone to snag my truck and trailer and come get me.
 
#5 ·
I can see Dave's point about tire repair crap for tubless tires and a few nylon tie wraps to hold up something that falling off. That would be the limit though. I can fix anything at home and it would only frustrate the heck out of me that whatever repair I wanted to do on the side of the road, I wouldn't have the right tools.
 
#6 ·
With electronic ignition, EFI fuel delivery and even with most carbs, the days of roadside repairs are almost over. If a cable breaks, even McGuiver is gonna have issues with getting that rig home. Like Chris said: If something is falling off, (which NEVER happens on a Harley. :D) maybe.

You WILL need a phillips screwdriver to get under your seat if the battery goes dead, and a 10mm wrench, if a terminal connection comes loose.

Outide of that.........
 
#7 ·
I carry what Dave63 does with the HD supplied tool kit. I have roadside service (and a cell to call them) since I do a few long rides per year to other Provinces and to the New England States. Some folks are limited by space but since I have it...
 
#8 ·
I understand everyones point. Yea, trying to do any meaningful roadside repair on bikes as they are these days is probably pointless. I'll just make a basic "emergency" kit to stash in the saddlebags. Some zip ties, tape, 10mm wrench, maybe adjustable, flashlight, and the multi-bit screwdriver, and will pick up a few spare fuses (great idea).

Just gotta make sure the cell phone is aways charged and hopefully Progressive Insurance roadside assistance is up to the task.

Chris...Shamwow...."it's made in Germany and you know the Germans make great stuff". :laugh First time I saw the infomercial and heard the guy say that I cracked up.
 
#9 ·
Germans do make good stuff.....Look at Heckler & Koch (H&K). They're some of the most precision weapons on the planet, and are built to last a lifetime.
 
#12 ·
Yeah, I remember that commercial. It was pretty funny. My favorite part of it was when he throws the old dicer over his back and it lands perfectly in the sink behind him. LOL

Just found this one. LMFAO!!!

 
#14 ·
Cell phone and speed dial number of towing service that my $7 a year rider provides to haul me 75 miles to shop or home without charge (over 75 miles and I pay a differential). Not a fan of sitting at midnight by the side of the road naked waiting for a wrecker, I also ALWAYS carry a S&W 4006 - more than a luxury when riding near the SW border.

Monk
 
#15 ·
Check this. Cruztools Roadtech H3 Tool Kit H/D RTH3 This is about what I carry. I have a few extra things too. I've fixed my shift linkage, jimmyed up a sidestand that broke a spring, and helped a couple guys with older bikes. Being able to pull the seat and replace fuses is helpfull too.
 
#17 ·
Answered this questions SEVERAL times on this forum - so one more time -

1. Cell phone
2. Cash
3. Credit Card (& AAA card)
4. Bottle of Jack
5. 1911 .45 ACP

(and yes just in case I am feeling ambitious a tire plug kit and a slime compressor - unlikely I will be feeling that ambitious though)

The above should cover just about any sitiuation, glad I could help
 
#19 ·
Oh crap, now we will have to listen to the whiners and politically correct types crying about having a drink and driving.
 
#23 ·
Road side assistance, but which one?

So its been said CASH+AAA is your tool belt. Yesterday I went through my wallet and I have roadside assistance from Harley (extended warranty package) H.O.G., Progressive, AMA and Statefarm.

I don't have AAA, but it got me to thinking, which ones have people used and like and which ones aren't worth a sh*t. If I can dump some features from my insurance and rely on HOG or AMA I'm all for saving money. Hell at this point I'm not sure which one I'd even call if I did break down!
 
#25 ·
Asked this in my wisdom only found on the road thread and was directed here.....I know, I know, should have searched first.

Since there are only two tire patches between me and death I find a tire pressure gauge handy. I always have two multi-tools on me anyway. Leatherman Squirt in my pocket and a Super Tool in the Bag of Evil. Also in the BOE is is a Petzl headlamp to back up the Steamlight in my pocket. I use the headlamp sometimes even when working on the bike to defeat the evil garage shadows which seem to cover whatever it is you need to see. Guess I am good though since I have Progressive and AAA Plus.- George
 
#29 ·
Yoda Fictional character Superhero


Of good think you must
For evil prepare you must
 
#27 ·
Various standard wrenches, including a 10mm. A Phillips and flat head screw drivers, folding Allen wrenches, a spark plug socket 3/8 drive ratchet and 3" extension, a roll of electrical tape, test light, zip ties, and a few other tools. One of the guys I ride with usually breaks down so its hard to tell what he's gonna need. I always keep a few Franklin's stashed under the seat in the breaker box just for emergencies...
 
#33 ·
I got the kit from HD as a gift. It's got about $10 worth of tools in it. You can pick one up for about $80. It's actually well laid out rides perfectly in between my windshield brackets and below my windshield bag. I've used it a few times, even the lock-tite and zip-ties from it. Not sure why anyone would want to hold up the team calling for a wrecker when you've got something wrong that you could fix in 2 minutes if you only had a __________.
 
#34 ·
I used the tools in the kit (including the wire tie) to get back home when I broke the throttle cable on my '01 UC. It paid for itself right there.


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