HD specific road tool kit.

RickRussell

RickRussell

Premier Member
What is in everyone's tool kit for HD travel? I have a took kit in my GL1800 and my Africa Twin, but those kits are not very useful on my 2012 Ultra Classic CVO. Of course there's the 12v compressor and the plug kit, but what specific hand tools are necessary?
 
Well - I started with a prebuilt Cruz - Tools kit. I think it was the econo kit. I've since bought a tool roll, and filled it with more stuff. I also bring an intake wrench [1/4" Allen] a Dyna Plug kit, an assortment of fuses, valve stem cores, a small FLUKE multimeter, some 3M Super 88 elec tape, and a fair swath of T&B Ty-Wraps. [Not the crap "zip ties" but real strong "Ty-Wraps"]. I've become a firm believer in DynaPlugs as well. Saved a 1500 after riding over interstate lumber. No - we didn't get a BBG, but managed a BB1500, as the leak was hard to find at midnight. I also bring a quart of oil [I'm an Amsoil guy.] Octane booster, a multi kit [leatherman], two flash lights, and an air compressor. No - I can't rebuild the mc on the side of the road, but I've gotten out of some jams with my kit. I'm sure there is more, but it's a solid start. [From memory].
 
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I kid, I kid...

I have accumulated lots of tools from numerous sources over the years so I typically just do some maintenance at home in the garage including a nut and bolt check. If I needed it to do the maintenance I put it in a tool roll and that becomes my kit on the bike. I refill the tool box drawer with a suitable replacement.
 
Greetings, Rick: Kidding aside, there's a lot to be said for Jason's post above. If I were to have left my wallet on top of the Love's fuel pump, have I spread my financial instruments around the bike to be able to either get back home, or continue the journey? Good sidebar discussion!
This is what I carry in the VERY limited space I have aboard a 21 Fat Bob (now with 140k miles on it): https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/tool-kit/p/94819-02. I've added a tool for the theft deterrent screw on the seat, and a golf pencil with a few dozen winds of duct tape around it; as well, a dozen or so larger zip ties. Since I've had the heated gear pigtail poop out on me during a 22-degree Santa Sore ride last year, I've made a habit of carrying a short adapter cord that runs off the battery tender port so I have an alternate source of electrical feed for the heated gear. I also have a length of nylon strap that can be pressed into service to loosen larger tight assemblies, such as an oil filter. Finally, I recycled a sheet of thick plastic that arrived to the house in a shipping crate - trimmed it down to about 5'X4', and how have something to lay on at roadside, or cover myself when stranded roadside, and the bike cover is sitting on the kitchen table at home. That rolls up to about the diameter of a couple of pencils, and slides into the rollup toolbag.
I've photographed my registration, license, passport, and HOG membership card for the backup data source should I lose track of the hard copies (back to point A above). I've also written my bike's pin no. down, and photographed it for the cellphone gallery - not likely to remember it when the fob has failed and I'm shivering, anxious to get the bike re-started. We can call that one a memory tool...ahem...
I'll loosely refer to meds as tools here, and I keep a dozen or so ibuprofen, and a day or two worth of prescription meds in a double zip-lok bag in a discrete pocket of the tail bag. For most meds, 90% of the efficacy is good out to 15 years, so I'm feeling good about the backup plan. Thyroid meds, insulin, etc., probably wouldn't fit into such a backup plan, but... you get the idea.
Some ideas; hope they're helpful.
Safe Riding! Mark
 
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