Re: I want to put together a roadside kit for the bike….

Posted by sgtslag on Nov 21, 2011; 3:10pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/I-want-to-put-together-a-roadside-kit-for-the-bike-tp3523870p3524958.html

Far more important than your toolkit's contents, is the Preventative Maintenance you perform, before you ever throw a leg over...

Take a look at your maintenance records for your bike:

How often do things break down?  What is the most common failure?  What items are due for repair/adjustment/replacement within the next 1,000 miles?  How soon do you need to change any of the fluids and filters?  How much tread is left on your tires?

If you are planning on taking a 300+ mile trip, how many short trips have you taken in the previous two months, and how many total miles?  Were there any failures during that time?  If so, is there an underlying issue, or has it been resolved?  If your bike has performed for the past 1,000 miles, flawlessly, and nothing is due within the next 1,000 miles for repair/adjustment/replacement, then you should be safe to do that 1,000 mile trip.

PM's are more important, by far, than what is in your toolkit -- if you have done all of your PM's, you likely will not need your toolkit.  

Having said that, I have the OEM toolkit, but I supplement it with my $20 rachet set, from K-Mart (old, but still works, and it's small enough to fit into the saddlebags; have never needed it, but I carry it anyway -- weighs quite a bit, so it is something to consider carefully).  I carry an LED flashlight (most light for the size and weight).  I don't carry spare parts (1979 K, and a 1993 Voyager touring bike), as I rely heavily upon the PM routine to avoid the need for parts (fuel filters should be replaced on a PM schedule; gasoline would have to be chunky to clog a filter on one, or two, tankful's...).  Spare fuses are always a good idea, as they weigh next to nothing, and they take up very little space.

I pack a can of Pledge, and a microfiber towel for cleaning the windshield (plastic, so Pledge is about the only thing I use on it; the microfiber towel will not scratch it, but paper towels will), as well as the rest of the bike.  It does not leave any residue; it will take off the wax, so beware; it can be used on any bike surface you have, including the seats, and your leathers, if need be.  The aerosol can is bulky, but the benefits make it worthwhile.

Make sure you have your favorite chain lube onboard!  Chains should be lubed every 300 miles.  It is something best done at the end of the day's ride, every day.

Pack a tire pressure gauge -- most gas stations have air, but few have a pressure gauge on their air pump hose.  Tire pressure is uber-critical on a long ride...

If you blow a tube while driving, you likely won't be riding anywhere, except maybe to a hospital, or a shop, if you are truly fortunate.  I blew out the rear tube on my '79, this Summer, at 40 MPH -- did a low-side.  The bike was not ridable after it stopped sliding on the pavement.

Sorry for the long list, but I've been touring for three years now.  My wife and I rode our '79 K, around Lake Superior, just the two of us, no other riders with us, back in 2009.  Our "K" was 30 years old, with 14,000 miles on it, when we left.  We rode a total of 1,935 miles on our bike, which was overloaded with gear (I do not recommend overloading...).  The only issue we had, was the throttle grip came off in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Day 3.  We glued it back on, and we finished our trip without issue.  Our '79 K is one solid bike.  We've had some issues with it since, but that is to be expected with a 32 year old motorcycle.  YMMV.  Cheers!