Tool must have's...

I was poking around and could not find a post for must have tools to bring with you while riding.
Obviously they have to be small and compact and some of you might even have multi-tools, but since I'm a new rider, I was wondering what type of small set I should put together and if it is possible to keep it somewhere on the bike?
So far I havent spotted any locations on the bike that could be used for a storage pocket (example-under the seat)

Thanks

John

 

what bike do you have?

mine has a tool kit under the seat that came with it stock. i also keep a flashlight, tire gauge, proof of insurance, zip block bags, a 20$ bill, and a cargo net in there as well.

i've yet to need anything else.

happy riding!

 

If you do a search on ebay for your bike + 'tool kit' you will probably find one that you can buy or at least see a pic. That would give you a baseline of a minimal assortment of screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc.

I typed "XJ650 maxim tool kit" and got this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dl ... true&rt=nc

That listing is already ended, but you get the idea. It's got some nice pics plus a list of the wrench sizes.

 

Menard, add your bike info on your signature. I believe all of the XJ's came with tool kits, and were either under the seat over the rear fender, or behind the side cover.

 

These bikes all came with a tool kit (ok, an "attempted" tool kit) similar to the one pictured below.

If your bike is stock, there is a provision for it somewhere.

From L-R: Extension for axle wrench, 5mm hex keys, axle nut wrench, spark plug socket, screwdriver handle, screwdriver bits, combination wrenches. Yammie pliers at the top; "breaker bar" for spark plug socket at bottom.



I generally swap out the crappy stamped 8/mm/10mm combination wrench and the pliers with some that actually work. Plus fuses, some zip-ties and a shop rag; that's about it for the XJs. Spare headlight bulb if I'm going on a trip.

 

I was told that my bike is a 1980, havent double checked on that yet. Ill find a site that tells me what my bike is with my VIN. The ownerships say Yama xs6 on them. Dont know what that means.

 

So I also went ahead to read the "how to" vin identification post in this forum and I know for sure that it is a 1980. My vin iis also a 10 digit vin made prior to 1980. Starting code 4H8, 0*****. But the make is a XS6 on ownerships. Is this a different bike than a XJ? Pretty confused, maybe this explains why im having trouple locating parts as well- I also have a post about signal flasher wiring.

Thanks.

 

An XS is not an XJ; the XS bikes were the predecessors to the XJ series. 4H7, is I'm not mistaken, is the 1980 XJ shorty vin ID for an XJ.

Best of luck!

 

Lowe's has a good set of short Kobalt metric wrenches. I put together my own set since most sets have cheap pieces that don't work or pieces you'll never use. I have the above mentioned wrenches, rachet driver, screwdriver bits, pliers, lineman pliers, short rachet and a couple of sockets.

 

Like most experienced riders, you will quickly realize that the tools that came with your bike are "not of great quality" and not what you want to rely on in case of a breakdown. You will come up with your own list of what you want to have vs how much space you have....it can be quite challenging making things fit. Always carry a CC if you lack the skills needed to effect side of the road repairs. At minimum I keep extra fuses, a pack of matches in a ziplock, 2 short&skinny(stubbys are too fat), 2 long of each straight and JIS screwdrivers,a GOOD quality set of pliers with wire cutters built in,3ft of #18 multistrand wire,half doz 8" zipties, test bulb, half roll of elect tape(takes less space than a full roll), 2-10/12mm open end wrenches, 1-13mm & 1-14/15mm. I also carry means to tighten the axle nut and generally, the stock tool will work fine for this. Wrap it all in a clean rag and I'm good to go. That's just a few things worth carrying. On my Vstrom which I do most of my long distance riding, I also have a compressor, tire repair kit, etc since I have a top case with 48 liters of space.

Hopefully, you'll never need to open it. One piece of advice here....buy or take the tools from your tool box and DO NOT USE THEM FOR HOME USE ONCE THEY ARE ON THE BIKE. If you do, I can promise you that you won't have them when you need them, they will be on your work bench at home!

jeff

 

Great advice. I will have to put a set together, as soon as possible. Dont want to get caught empty handed.

 

My bike had the original tool set with it when I got it and it is still in its pouch in the "Tool Box" on the bike. Original chain lock is still on the bike too.

 

Don't forget some 2 part epoxy ribbon putty for an emergency tank repair

 

JB Weld? What sort of tank repairs will I need to be doing?

 

No I'm talking about epoxy putty. Some xj,s (the 900 in particular) rust out just in front of the petrol tap and can then spring a leak at the most inconvenient time! This stuff will get you home....

http://www.amazon.com/Loctite-431348-2- ... B000BOB8P6