Trail Tools

[troy]

I'd like to invest in some high-quality, compact tools to carry on the trail. Before I make my purchases, what do you guys know about some of these options?. Allow me to tap into the collective wisdom!

I'd like to get enough tools to at least replace the crappy Suzuki stock toolkit. If I'm lucky, I can still fit some of my new kit in the nice tool box on the bike. (I'd keep the stock kit for resale of course.)

Motion Pro's "Trail Tools" catalog:
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/trail_tools/

These "T-6" combo tools from Motion Pro look fantastic. I love the combo wrench / tire spoon with the ratchet adapter. I need to get the size that fits the large nut on my rear wheel.
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/too ... mbo_lever/
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/too ... mbo_lever/

Love this folding T-handle set:
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/too ... andle_set/

And this metric multi-tool:
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/too ... pose_tool/

I also like this screwdriver that includes the flat and phillips but also 6 and 8mm sockets:
http://www.motosport.com/offroad/produc ... odId=23566

There is some overlap in functionality in all that, so I need to figure out what makes the most sense with a lean towards what is most compact/lightweight.

Some "common dualsport" bolt kits would be nice to have on the long trail:
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/too ... dware_kit/

[Hank Moody]

Troy I saw a guy on one of our Arkansas rides use this one to fix Chris's bike actually. It appeared to work great!

http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/too ... pose_tool/

[Hayden]

Riding by myself alot I went a different route. I have tons of tools so I started rounding things up. Went through each bike and found out what I need socket size and Allen size for each bike. Wrote them down as I worked on bikes through out the season. Took some spare craftsman sets I had and pooled together everything I needed. Its big, its a little heavy (4 lbs ) but I could tear down a motor if you needed too. AND Yes I have used them.....ever dam tool I carry with me. Mosty on other peoples bikes though.


I have bought some Motion Pro stuff in the past, I dont think you can go wrong with them. They have some nice sets.


T

[ajayhawkfan]

Besides a small tool set what else to people carry?

I carry a tire plugging kit, canned co2 and a small foot air pump to refill tires, a bottle of water with a little liquid soap in it to find tire leaks and a leatherman type tool.

[troy]

With my tubed tires, I carry a 21" tube. It fits the front tire and can be used in the back tire in an emergency. (Whereas the 18" tube would be very difficult to fit in the front tire.) On longer rides, I carry both tubes.

Of course, a set of small tire irons. For air, I carry a small hand pump that also uses CO2 cartridges--which I carry 4 cartridges. 1 will get you enough air to roll, 2 will completely fill. I keep the 21" tube, irons, and CO2 cartridges in my front fender bag.

In my small tail bag, I'll carry the rear tube--if bringing one--along with a roll of electric tape, 2 dozen or so zip-ties, roll of safety wire, the air pump, air guage, leatherman multi-tool.

Right now, I also carry a medium size crescent wrench because my stock tool kit lacks the wrench I need for some tasks. I hope to remedy this with the new kit I put together.

Of the items above, other than tire changes, what I've used the most are the zip-ties. Zip-ties are wonderful. I've handed them out to other riders in need a dozen times or more. For example, you lay that KLR down and snap the mounts off the front fairing side panel...zip-ties to the rescue.

An item I'm planning to add to my kit is a safety whistle.

[safiri]

I'm a cheap bastage who is an Eagle Scout, so here is my list:

On your BIKE:
Look over your bike: the BMW F650 has lots of Torx head bolts. Hard to work on those if you don't have the bits. Same goes for any allen head bolts.

As to sockets: you want 6 point, not 12 point. Better purchase on the head. Throw in a 1/4 drive ratchet (smaller = better, 4 - 6" handle length is plenty), and 3" extension. I bought a cheap socket set at Harbor Freight and scavenged it. It has served well. These smaller bolts shouldn't be tightened that tight anyway.

6 in 1 screwdriver: $3 at Harbor. However, the handle is pretty large to carry on/in a bike. You can buy the screwdriver bits and they will fit into a socket. Easier to carry, lighter, smaller. Not quite as convenient as a screwdriver.

Combination open end wrenches: If you can't buy the combo you need, buy both at Harbor. I have a cutoff wheel and welder. Make your own, just like the "old guys" did back in the day.

Tubes: 21" definitely. 18" if space allows. Patch kit always.
These criteria bump up the need for 18": multi day, far from civilization, multiple bikes (you carry the 21, I carry the 18, etc). Same goes for blue LocTite.

The MP Multi Tool would be a good place to start if you don't have any of this stuff.

The bolt/nut kit is inexpensive. However, most missing fasteners can be scavenged from somewhere else on the bike. One of the reasons to do your own work is to figure out what bolts will work where. For instance, on an LC4 a headlight mask bolt will work to hold on the gear shift lever. Ask Brian how we found this out.

Two part epoxy (cylindrical type keeps well in tube bag).

BTW, don't use a 2' cheater bar to tighten your axle nuts at home and expect to use a 6" open end wrench to get the wheel off out in the woods. Like Tracy said, use your kit to work on your bike. If something is missing, decide if it is necessary for you to be able to ride. If it is, put it in your bike kit.

Compass and maps and knowledge of how to use them.



NOT on your bike, but on your PERSON:

Safety whistle. Some hydration packs have an integrated whistle on the sternum strap buckle.

Fire starting device: waterproof matches, lighter, etc.

Pliers / multitool. With knife blade.

The ability to know how to use this stuff, or travel with people that do.

[troy]

I'd just like to add--for those of you who don't know safiri--that his advice is probably worth listening to. This guy organized and led a 7 day camp from the bike Colorado Rockies ride last year....and all three riders survived. Read the epic here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159410

I don't bring a patch kit, but I usually ride with Mike, and he has a patch kit. This brings up a point (that Mike mentioned as well). Use the buddy system to lighten the load. If you have 4 guys on a ride, you probably don't need to carry 4 tubes, 4 sets of tire irons, 4 full tool sets, etc. Coordinate and share the load across the bikes.

[safiri]

I'd just like to add--for those of you who don't know safiri--that his advice is probably worth listening to. This guy organized and led a 7 day camp from the bike Colorado Rockies ride last year....and all three riders survived. Read the epic here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159410

I don't bring a patch kit, but I usually ride with Mike, and he has a patch kit. This brings up a point (that Mike mentioned as well). Use the buddy system to lighten the load. If you have 4 guys on a ride, you probably don't need to carry 4 tubes, 4 sets of tire irons, 4 full tool sets, etc. Coordinate and share the load across the bikes.

I'm humbled.


As to patch kit: Next time you are about to throw away a tube b/c it has a hole, practice patching the hole while sitting watching TV. Patch kits are cheap at WalMart. Buy some extra large patches while there. If done correctly, the patch will hold for a very long time. (Troy: The patch on Brian's rear tube failed b/c he/we failed to adequately file down the molding ridge on the tube. That is where the leak continued.)

For me, the patch kit can either save you from carrying multiple extra tubes OR keep you from removing a wheel from the bike. I (successfully) patched a front tube with the wheel still mounted on the bike (and the wheel had a rim clamp). Saved time as the sun was setting and we weren't that close to basecamp. The rear is a bit harder to do this with as access is limited.


One other thing you might consider adding to your tool kit:
A 4x6" soft plastic rectangle (cut from a bleach bottle or wet wipes container). If a tire gets a slice, through which the tube would push out, the rectangle can be placed between the tube and tire and keep the hernia from occuring. On bicycle tires, a dollar bill (actually any denomination!) can be used in the same manner.

Oh yeah, be sure at least one of your valve stem caps is also a valve stem removal tool. Most MC tubes I buy come with one, but some do not.

[Hayden]

Whats in my bag of tricks.

Open end wrenches 17mm to 8mm
16,14,12,10,8,6, mm Sockets
1/4 drive and 3/8 drive
Allens 2 to 8 mm
1 (3/8") 3 inch extention and 1 (1/4") 3" extention
1 drive that switched between a 3/8 and a 1/2" drive
1 1/4" socket for front Axle of KTM (1/2" drive)
Plyers with Wire cutter
Screw driver
Bottle of Locktite
Spark plug, fits all 4 bikes
3 tire irons
21" tube
18" tube
Duck tape
Tire presure gage
2 sizes of clear hose 1 foot long for gas swaping
Tube patch kit
3 pieces of plastic 2" X 4" cut from a Rubbermaid storage Box Lid. For sliced tires etc.
Jumper cables 3 feet long for jump starting a bike. (Cut from an old 2 amp battery charger with alligator clamps.
Valve stem remover
Zip ties
2 boxed end combination wrenches 19mm - 16mm 18mm and 14mm for rear axle nuts/bolts.
Tire pump
1 piece of intertube cut to 6 inches long. Can be cut for big rubber bands etc.
Black electrical tape 1 Roll
Leatherman multi tool

All of this gets stuffed into a cloth laptop carring case and strapped onto the back of the bike or distributed between the bike and my backpack.


Hayden

[safiri]

Recently at Advance Auto, the sale table had some GearWrenches for a good price. This set caught my eye:
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/wrenc ... part=85210
The box on each end takes a different size on each side. Cool idea. Seems to be built well.

I bought the last one, but the utility of a multi wrench like this is quite high. It won't fit on every fastener due to space, but it does pack down tight.

[slimtrader]

I carry comfortable running shoes. But seriously I need to get more organized with my ride tools. I liked the small air pump marketed by slime that Kyle carries. It is probably smaller than a co2 kit and plugs into a 12v plug.

[troy]

I carry comfortable running shoes. But seriously I need to get more organized with my ride tools. I liked the small air pump marketed by slime that Kyle carries. It is probably smaller than a co2 kit and plugs into a 12v plug.

It is not smaller than a Co2 kit, but it is small. I carry a Co2/hand pump. So even if I run out of Co2, I can hand pump. (That's what she said.) Actually, lately, I've not even carried any tire tools because I know I'm in a group with multiple sets of tire tools! We don't need 10 sets of tire irons, 10 front tubes, and 10 rear tubes on a 10 person group ride.

I definitely have some holes in my current Husky TE450 tool kit. I'm still learning the bike, and have been in situations more than once now where I relied on the tools of others to make repairs.

I do very highly recommend the Motion Pro kit that I have--that thing is versatile and I've enjoyed using it. It is not cheap, but it's a fantastic tool.
http://motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/v ... pose_tool/


Vstroma.com carries a good line of tire repair kits including Co2 and electric pumps. (Right column, half-way down):
http://www.vstroma.com/products.html

[Hank Moody]

I can attest, Troy has a great tool!

All kidding aside sometimes having the right tool will allow you to continue your ride or limp home. The motionpro tool is a must have if you are in the market. For me I just always ride with Hayden and Safiri, between the two of them they have everything but a welder.

Safiri even carries this really cool Chinese epoxy stuff that acts as an attractant for redneck families. Man I can still see that purple shirt…
Sorry I digress, for those of you who were there you know what I’m talking about.

[safiri]

For me I just always ride with Hayden and Safiri, between the two of them they have everything but a welder.

Give me some heavy wire, a coat hanger, and a couple of donor motorcycle batteries and I can even weld. Definitely won't be pretty, but it might hold.

I don't know why any of us carry anything, so long as Hayden is along. He carries the kitchen sink.

[safiri]

For an idea of what minimalism really means, take a look at this:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost ... stcount=87
"Here’s a shot of the tools. I welded a box end wrench on the tire iron to loosen the wheel nuts. Note also the square drivers welded onto the wrenches to turn the sockets. This kit will take care of most issues. It includes a patch kit from the local grocery store (nothing fancy); a bag of spare nuts, bolts and washers; 8,10,12,14 & 17mm sockets; screw driver bits; allen key bits; bit driver; socket extension, 8,10,12,13, & 14mm open end and box end wrenches; small pliers; piece of hack saw blade; various gauges of wire; couple of hose clamps."

These guys did 10 days of Utah backcountry, camping from the bikes. They patch the tubes, instead of replacing. I know guys will post that a patched tube should be changed out, but I have run patched tubes for years without issue. If a patch isn't going to hold, it will fail quickly (or never seal up to begin with). In the rest of the world, they run patched tubes.


Note the welded wrenches, and the 1/4" and 3/8" drive squares welded to the wrenches.



Here is the full report:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthre ... ost8013698

[safiri]

Recently at Advance Auto, the sale table had some GearWrenches for a good price. This set caught my eye:
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/wrenc ... part=85210
The box on each end takes a different size on each side. Cool idea. Seems to be built well.

I bought the last one, but the utility of a multi wrench like this is quite high. It won't fit on every fastener due to space, but it does pack down tight.

Here is a picture:


Size combos available:
ITEM # SIZE LENGTH(A) WIDTH(B) THICKNESS(C) DIAMETER(D) THICKNESS(E) DRIVE SIZE WEIGHT (LBS)
85211 8mm x 10mm & 12mm x 13mm 6.299 0.078 0.472 0.969 0.591 0.189
85212 16mm x 17mm & 18mm x 19 mm 9.055 1.252 0.709 1.339 0.787 0.491

And for an old school bike (or Harley???)
85201 - SAE 5/16" x 3/8" & 7/16" x 1/2" 6.299 0.078 0.472 0.969 0.591 0.185
85202 - SAE 9/16" x 5/8" & 11/16" x 3/4" 8.268 1.181 0.669 1.343 0.591 0.449
85220 - HVAC SAE 1/4" x 3/16" (Square) & 3/8" x 5/16" (Square) 5.512 0.78 0.496 0.85 0.488 0.176
85221 - HVAC SAE 1/4" x 3/16" (Square) & 9/16" x 1/2" (Hex) 5.512 0.78 0.496 0.85 0.488 0.176