Missing Toolkit

[Danboy]

Hi guys,

I've been told that my Bandit(when new) would've come with a toolkit under the seat. But as it's a Jap import and 9 years old it's gone missing somewhere along the line.
Can anyone tell me what would have been included in this toolkit. Or if not, what tools I should get to replace them, for when I go on a long(ish) ride.
Do I really need a puncture repair kit, chain breaker, etc..? What can I get away with not having, and what is essential?
Cheers,

D. :2thumbsup

[Ixion]

Modern bikes are pretty reliable , we don't need to be as prepared as we once were. So I carry

Jumper cables
Rope
Torch and flashing beacon thingie
Araldite
Vicegrips
Ring spanner set
Couple of selected sockets and a small T bar
6" 8" 10" adjustables
Screwdriver set
Electrical wire
baling wire
Linesmans pliers
Needle nose pliers
Side cutters
Allen keys
Tie downs
Duct tape
Electrical tape
Length of hose
puncture kit
tyre levers
Water
Juice
V
chocolate
peanuts
Assorted nuts and bolts
Fuses
Spare bulbs
Spare clutch cable
Spare oil
glue
sparkplugs
cable ties
bungee cords

and an umbrella

If going on a long trip I'll throw more stuff in
Plus a chain connecting link on chain drive machines

And I always carry my Swiss Army knife.And matches and kero to make a fire

In my BSA Bantam days I used to carry a spare piston and rings on trips. Used it, too.

EDIT: Oh I left out the most important item : Beer. Speights of course

EDIT: I omitted puncture repair kit.

[Danboy]

Modern bikes are pretty reliable , we don't need to be as prepared as we once were. So I carry

Jumper cables
Rope
Torch and flashing beacon thingie
Araldite
Vicegrips
Ring spanner set
Couple of selected sockets and a small T bar
6" 8" 10" adjustables
Screwdriver set
Electrical wire
baling wire
Linesmans pliers
Needle nose pliers
Side cutters
Allen keys
Tie downs
Duct tape
Electrical tape
Length of hose
puncture kit
tyre levers
Water
Juice
V
chocolate
peanuts
Assorted nuts and bolts
Fuses
Spare bulbs
Spare clutch cable
Spare oil
glue
sparkplugs
cable ties
bungee cords

and an umbrella

If going on a long trip I'll throw more stuff in
Plus a chain connecting link on chain drive machines

And I always carry my Swiss Army knife.And matches and kero to make a fire

In my BSA Bantam days I used to carry a spare piston and rings on trips. Used it, too.

EDIT: Oh I left out the most important item : Beer. Speights of course

EDIT: I omitted puncture repair kit.

Are you sure that's all I need? I mean it seems a bit sparse really. And considering the collosal amount storage I have left beside the newly installed beer fridge, I'm sure I have room for other(maybe less important) stuff.

D. :clap:

[Max Preload]

A toolkit is not much use unless you can use it (or someone else that comes along while you're broken down can). What normal hand tools to carry will be readily apparent when to go to strip things down to a breakdown assessment level - everything you used in doing so. So this weekend get doing that. Access the battery, open the fuse junction box, test for power etc. and note the tools you used or were missing.

Definitely carry a puncture kit, and a spare chain master link.

Chain breaker? No. You're not going to be removing a link at the roadside.

[Warren]

Hi guys,

I've been told that my Bandit(when new) would've come with a toolkit under the seat. But as it's a Jap import and 9 years old it's gone missing somewhere along the line.
Can anyone tell me what would have been included in this toolkit. Or if not, what tools I should get to replace them, for when I go on a long(ish) ride.
Do I really need a puncture repair kit, chain breaker, etc..? What can I get away with not having, and what is essential?
Cheers,

D. :2thumbsup

I don't know but would guess the factory tools would have been a philips/flathead screwdriver, spark plug socket and a spanner with 10/12 at each end and nothing else.

I myself would usually not take anything on a long trip except a mobile phone and cash. One thing that would be important would be a first aid kit.

[Danboy]

A toolkit is not much use unless you can use it (or someone else that comes along while you're broken down can). What normal hand tools to carry will be readily apparent when to go to strip things down to a breakdown assessment level - everything you used in doing so. So this weekend get doing that. Access the battery, open the fuse junction box, test for power etc. and note the tools you used or were missing.

Definitely carry a puncture kit, and a spare chain master link.

Chain breaker? No. You're not going to be removing a link at the roadside.

I can use tools....I've been working on everything other than bikes since I was 8 years old. I just wasn't sure if there are things I may need out in the middle of nowhere when there's no cellphone, maybe few cars and others to help. So far the tools I've used on the bike wouldn't really be applicable unless I'm pulling off the gas tank and checking the battery and coolant. Was just wondering what would've been in the original kit so I could at least get a similar kit and maybe some added essentials. Mechanical prowess isn't the problem, not having been on and around bikes specifically beforehand, is.
But cool, will pull a few things apart and see what I need. Puncture repair kits - I see there are a few types...I assume I should get one of the tubeless tyre ones with the t-bar needle thing and c02 canisters? Or a little hand pump? Thoughts on this would be great. No chain break, cool. Won't get one then. Used to hate doing it on a mountain bke, so a motorbike would be worse.

Cheers.

[Danboy]

I don't know but would guess the factory tools would have been a philips/flathead screwdriver, spark plug socket and a spanner with 10/12 at each end and nothing else.

I myself would usually not take anything on a long trip except a mobile phone and cash. One thing that would be important would be a first aid kit.

Cool, I'll start with those then.
As yeah! First aid kit....good plan! Almost forgot. :)

[Ixion]

Are you sure that's all I need? I mean it seems a bit sparse really. And considering the collosal amount storage I have left beside the newly installed beer fridge, I'm sure I have room for other(maybe less important) stuff.

D. :clap:

More is always good. A small butane pencil is handy (and some solder to use with it). A cheap multimeter is handy. Oh, and I always like to carry a spare clutch lever and brake lever on long trips. And some spare bulbs.

It all packs down into quite a small space. I use cable ties to fasten the larger items to the frame members. If your bike has a fairing, you can fasten small toolbags to the inner sides, which hold quite a lot of smaller items. Spare spark plugs can be stored inside handlebars or frame tubes.

Cables can be run along side the ones in use (pop a condom over the exposed ends).

[Max Preload]

I can use tools....I've been working on everything other than bikes since I was 8 years old. I just wasn't sure if there are things I may need out in the middle of nowhere when there's no cellphone, maybe few cars and others to help.


Mechanical prowess isn't the problem, not having been on and around bikes specifically beforehand, is.

No offence meant... more specifically exactly what you've said... getting familliar with bikes, your own specifically by fiddling. It's much easier to do by moonlight, in the middle of nowhere, when you can visualise exactly what you're fiddling with.


So far the tools I've used on the bike wouldn't really be applicable unless I'm pulling off the gas tank and checking the battery and coolant.

Actually, those are the exact sort of tools you want onboard.


Was just wondering what would've been in the original kit so I could at least get a similar kit and maybe some added essentials. Mechanical prowess isn't the problem, not having been on and around bikes specifically beforehand, is.
But cool, will pull a few things apart and see what I need. Puncture repair kits - I see there are a few types...I assume I should get one of the tubeless tyre ones with the t-bar needle thing and c02 canisters? Or a little hand pump? Thoughts on this would be great. No chain break, cool. Won't get one then. Used to hate doing it on a mountain bke, so a motorbike would be worse.

Original kits usually have a few open ended spanners to help round off any nuts you might foolishly try to loosen, a plug socket with a hole through it through which to insert the included screwdriver to try and remove the plug which usually only results in removing skin from your knuckles, a cheap and nasty and far too short rear axle nut spanner. That sort of thing.

I carry a string plug kit with the CO2 cannisters. Some people bleat about them being dangerous because the LTSA says so and you can't get a WoF with one fitted although I've never had one fail - I even had one in for the entire life of a Dunlop GT301 on the rear of my NS400R which got holed the day after it was bought and fitted, back in '92.

[xwhatsit]

Ignore Ixion, he's planning for the Motorcycle Armageddon.

My bike doesn't have a toolkit either. I carry a couple of spare sparking plugs (it's a single, but it does have an appetite for the little things) and a sparking plug socket. Thanks for the handlebar tip with those, Ixion; I think mine are a touch too large though. Will try. Spare headlight bulb -- I've discovered if that blows then all the other bulbs blow within half an hour. Chain lube in the bottom of my bag; if it's non-stop raining then I go through some deep puddles I don't to be doing big mileage on a dry chain.

In terms of tools, 8mm and 10mm spanners are a must. Bike vibrates a touch, sometimes things come loose. I lost a pillion footpeg somewhere on SH22 and didn't know until I got home. 21mm spanner, pliers deal with re-tensioning the chain in case I cover really long distances and the chain goes out of whack (happened once after 400kms and gearshift was soggy as hell). Phillips-head and a very small flat-blade screwdrivers; lots of those things on the bike, trying to adjust pilot mixture with fingers is not fun.

Oh yes and an allen-key which fits the clip-ons. What's comfortable at 110kph for hours at a time is not necessarily comfortable at 50kph for protracted mileage.

Wrap it all in a couple of clean rags. Use one rag to keep the headlight clean at night (makes a big difference!) and the other rag to wipe the sump dipstick.

I would like to pick up a small spoke wrench as well, in case one or two comes loose in the middle of nowhere.

[tri boy]

[QUOTE=awful-truth;1293138]A toolkit is not much use unless you can use it


Que the "mechanic in a can".
I prefer to purchace the Asian one. (yellow can). They are cheaper than say the German (Striped can), or the American, (dull brown), and seem to work feverishly until depleted. However, some are total duds, and if the can leaks, it smells of old cabbage, and fish sauce.

[scracha]

Modern bikes are pretty reliable , we don't need to be as prepared as we once were. So I carry


SNIP



AA relay card.
Mastercard
Mobile Phone
Condoms
10 bucks
Waterproofs


If you're lucky, you'll use all of the above. If you're unlucky you'll just use 5.

[JMemonic]

What is handy is some of the two epoxy stuff that you mix to a putty it can be used to plug holes on coolers and repair broke leavers in a pinch.

[Jantar]

Just carry the tools to adjust the chain and a screwdriver. That should be enough for most roadside adjustments.

[Swoop]

What is handy is some of the two epoxy stuff that you mix to a putty
You refer to "Knead it".

[JMemonic]

You refer to "Knead it".

Thats the stuff there are a couple of versions around but that one seems to be the best

[Squiggles]

AA relay card.
Mastercard
Mobile Phone
Condoms
10 bucks
Waterproofs
If you're lucky, you'll use all of the above. If you're unlucky you'll just use 5.

Those, cept the credit card (dont have one)

Plus, from ixions list:

Ring spanners (an 8mill and a 10)
Adj crescent
Screwdriver set (two impact driver bits and an attachment)
Allen keys (impact driver bits)
tiny bit of duct tape & couple of cable ties *VERY USEFUL*
Length of hose (~8cm worth of the size of my fuel line)
puncture kit (dont got one but should)
chocolate peanuts
Spare bulb (maybe if i rode overnight...)
Spare oil (tl clutch cover leaks)
pretty accurate tyre pressure gauge

All fits easily in the back seat storage

AA venturer? card is good to have, very good if you trip often with plenty of free tows *remembers using 2 in 2 days once*

[scracha]

puncture kit (dont got one but should)
Spare bulb (maybe if i rode overnight...)
Spare oil (tl clutch cover leaks)
pretty accurate tyre pressure gauge

All fits easily in the back seat storage

AA venturer? card is good to have, very good if you trip often with plenty of free tows *remembers using 2 in 2 days once*

Probably have most of these under the seat too but at the end of the day if something goes "bang" or I drop a bike then it's odds on there'll be a call to the AA. And yeah, the BASIC AA cover isn't worth having. Think they call the next level up AA plus or summit.

[FROSTY]

years ago I would agree with ixion. but on a modern bike -nahh--cell phone and wallet -thats it

[Pancakes]

Kepp your bike well looked after and you won't need most of that crap. Adjusting chain on a ride? How long is this ride?

Don't do your levers up tighter than they have to be, you'd reather twist them back into place after an off than wonder where the Yammy dealer is at 3am in Foxton?

[Danboy]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm all sorted now.

Cheers,

D. :2thumbsup

[Sollyboy]

Are you sure that's all I need? I mean it seems a bit sparse really. And considering the collosal amount storage I have left beside the newly installed beer fridge, I'm sure I have room for other(maybe less important) stuff.

D. :clap:
Get a leatherman multi tool keep it in your jacket ,and for the underseat a push in type punture repair (brown sticky type is best), a mini bike pump , 8,10,12,14,17 mm ro spanners, alen keys, insulation tape, knead it repair putty,a few screw drivers, 8" adjustable wrench, a couple of cable ties ,cotton rag and put it in a large pencil case, carry a torch if you dont have one on your phone.

ps if your a chick just carry the phone