Touring Tools
 

Thought this might be an interesting thread to kick off.

What do you take with you on the road when touring?

I tend to have LOADS of cable ties, Gaffa Tape, a small bag of assorted nuts/bolts/washers, Multi Tool, Adjustable spanners, WD40, Hex Keys (from a bicycle shop � very tiny and compact), Tyre Irons (x2 large with ring spanners on t'other end and 1x small), Rim Protectors (x2 is enough I find), head torch, Electrical Tape, Super Glue/Impact Adhesive, Screw Drivers and that's all I can think of immediately apart from a few spares etc. which I pack dependant on the duration of the journey.

I was thinking about a small hand pump as I've just noticed that these things can go up to over 100psi � can anyone advise on a good, small, handpump that does the job?

Man that is alot of stuff but i suppose you need it all if you think about it. I havent done any massive touring trips yet, biggest i have done was 2weeks and 2kmiles. But i would plan on taking that same sort of stuff you have there when i finally get to go to africa. 1 thing that springs to mind is metal repairer or what ever you call it will defo need to bring some of that.

Good call, that stuff in a little tube.

MC, If I was touring then I would add one of these little baby's into my pack, about half way down you will see the following..


http://www.4-motorcycles.co.uk/acatalog/Tools.html

PMP005 - CO2 Canister Kit

got to be smaller than carrying a pump... and lighter too!!

Exactly what I take with me when I go. I take 10 powerlets, which is about enough to fully inflate 2 tyres with a couple of spares. I don't bother with puncture repair kits, I just take a spare tube or two (depending on distance) and a small bag of talc to stop the tubes sticking.
I also normally carry a couple of those boil in the bag space food things, as they are invaluable if you get stuck somewhere or break down in the middle of nowhere.
Top tip for toll roads - If you know you will use toll roads that day, stick a length of gaffa tape to your screen with a double folded tab at the end (so it's easy to peel) with various local currency coins stuck under it. Saves loads of time at toll booths without cocking around taking your gloves off and fishing for change.

Storm

Although I have not done much touring on my XTR I do ride in remote mountain areas and always carry a small drum of fencing tie wire - it can do all the things the cable ties do and is not effected by heat - the small pliers in the multi-tool can be used to twist it tight and was a license saver when my 900 Divvi exhaust grounded and got ripped off. The gaffa tape can be used under/over the wire for protection/waterproofing.

The old trick of keeping spare brake/clutch cable taped to the existing is always good as is liquid steel.

Yup, running a cable along the existing one is a great idea. Makes for a speedy fix too. I especially like the Toll Cash idea... told you this was a good thread.

Do them canisters have enough in 'em to pop a bead back on then?

Is fencing tie wire like lock wire or is it a much heavier guage?

Space food Storm? WHERE have you been riding?

The canisters require a firm hand to hold them on the valve stem, but if you get a good seal, 4 canisters is normally enough to inflate the tyre and pop the bead (that's why I carry more than you *should* need, in case I waste one with a bad seal).

As for the 'space' food - as you know, the 950 will go ANYWHERE!

I'll also chuck in another tip - take a couple of pairs of latex surgical gloves with you - if you do have to change a tube or do anything mechanical, chances are your hands will get covered in oil and muck - and it's never nice to get that on the inside of your riding gloves. They are also invaluable if your gloves get soaked (put them on under your riding gloves) or if you find yourself on a freezing motorway in the rain.

Finally, a condom can hold a surprising amount of fuel!

Storm

Dude! That sites got loadsa stuff proper cheap! Why have I never seem them before?

And the fuel doesn't melt through the johnie? I know a few guys that swear blind that sperm does ;)

All I know is that they will hold 2 litres for at least an hour!!

TWO LITRES?????? You mean fuel don't you? :eek2:

Hey - I've been single for a while, so I may be a little... Pent up... :sad2:

easy on you's two. :hahaha[1]: your making me cry. The old rubber johnie game heard about that a few times, i prefer a petrol can but sometimes hard measures are called for. The latex gloves are a good one, i got a big tissue type box of them, proper heavy duty ones not those micro thin put them on your hands and they snap ones. Great as you say for keeping your hands dry and for keeping your dirty hands away from good gloves.

Those canisters i've heard are not that good, even though i have a set i havent used them. I heard one canister only pumps your tire up by about 4psi, i take it this crap as you storm say you only need a few to pump up your tyre properly?

Also a personal favourite of mine is taping a spare allen key, spanner, or even bike key on the inside of your fair where you can reach if you have lost your key, broke spanners or broke allen keys. Saved my skin when i bust my other allen key (fairing panel kept coming loose on an old bike)

Not familiar with lock wire - I prefer to ride where others don't but it's about 1 to 1.25 mm diameter and can be galvanised. Bought in farmers supplies shops or gun shops on a drum about 3 inches long by 2 inches diameter and holds 15-20 metres of wire. Flexible enough to wrap round your finger and strong enough to cut your finger off if you do.

I've added a 14mm hex socket to my small socket set - 4" side handle/ratchet 6 sockets 6 screw bits (thought the 32mm sprocket socket was going a bit too far!)

Stick type tyre pressure gauge with core remover and spare cores (very dusty my way). If you need to clean filters/pipes a short burst from the exhaust muzzle is very effective. To clean anything else baby bottom wipes leave a lovely finish on your face/hands/other parts which may become soiled.

An old inner tube makes excellent vibration padding/cush drive improver (as mentioned elsewhere). Fisherman's Friends from sunny Fleetwood last a long time and keep your head clear - now available in sugar-free and cherry flavours! Kendal Mint Cake is solid sugar and doesn't melt or freeze but gives a short-term boost when necessary.

Sorry BB - back on the nosh again.

Don't forget your wet wipes.

There's nothing worse than riding your bike with dirt in ya eye. :pottytrain1:

I have One of the small alloy foot pump's off that site.They are very well made and work well.
I also take a some webbing to use as a tow rope ,a pair of thin rubber gloves...nothing worse than putting dirty hands inside your riding glove's and then your hand's get dirty every time you ware them :sad2:
also a pair of good long tyre levers,and a tube repair kit.
one rear tail light bulb inside a old 35mm film case,fit's a treat.

nice one dazzer about the tail light never really thought about that, i used to have one of those car bulb sets, it used to have one of ever bulb you had (changed the side light wasnt the same size) and placed a few fuses and other electric things in there, then i go and lose it and cant remember where i got it from. Poo. O well will just have to make my own one up.

Well, they are not as good as a foot pump, but they are a hell of a lot smaller. I managed to pressurise a 21" front tyre to 45psi using 4 of them, which was enough to pop the bead. They get really cold as they discharge though, so you have to be a bit careful not to freeze yourself to them! I have a kit that takes the 16gr powerlets, rather than the 12gr ones designed for push bikes.

I take when knockin about.... a can o tyre weld,,,, a fresh battery in ma phone, an an RAC card............Sorted

Naw seriously,,, athink y ecant take enough...and it depends on what terain yer covering... maybe water might be the best thing fur ye tae carry in the middle o the desert, but a think on general touring...some spares tae get ye to the next safe place,,, wid be tyre weld... some tools. most of the stuff otheres have recomended... but ad say a good lenth of Nylon Tie strap maybe around 3/4 mts of it fur tae use as a tow rope fur the worst scenario it can easily be rolled up in yer pack....

I would say the most important thing to take on a long journey is a camel back.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/camelbak%20waterbak.jpg