Putting Together Tool Kit for my ST1300

TRNewtown

Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
187
Location
Moorestown, NJ
Bike
2004 ST1300 ABS
I am trying to quickly put together a tool kit before a trip next weekend. I have seen some general tips out on the web for motorcycle tool kits, but I was hoping to get some input for a tool kit specific to a ST1300. Here are some questions:
- What tools do you carry and what would you recommend to include in a tool kit?
- Do you carry tool sizes specific to the ST1300 or do you carry a full set of tools? For example do you carry all sizes of metric allen wrenches and sae allen wrenches?
- Some of my current tools have gotten rusty. How do you store the tools to keep them from getting rusty?
- Do you carry jumper cables?
- Do you carry spares like bulbs, fuses, etc.?

Thanks,
Tom
 
Which tools to carry? I have often used my carry-along tools to service my bike while at home. This allows me to identify tools which I might need on the road which aren't (yet) in my tool bag. Conversely, it also allows me to leave home items I don't need.

And yes, I carry a motorcycle-size set of jumper cables, spare bulbs, fuses, electrical tape, tie-wraps, hand-crank type flashlight (no batteries), and a tire plug kit with air compressor.
 
I thought all you needed was a 5mm allen wrench and a lil sponge?;)

One way to figure out what tools to take is to use your toolkit to do maintenance. If you are working on the bike and don't have a tool that you need in the kit, add it. Cheapies from Harbor Freight or the likes are fine.

I carry a "Slime" air compressor and "Gummy worm" plugs and the tools to install them. I've also added a few things to the original kit, like an "L" shaped 1/4" hex drive wrench with the various metric hex inserts, instead of separate hex keys. A pair of diagonal cutters and 12-16" of 12 or 14 gauge wire. I also keep spare fuses, including the MAIN fuse; some electrical tape and some wire ties.

I also keep a multi-tool (like Leatherman) in a fairing pocket, along with a small LED flashlight and digital tire gauge. I prefer to use the same gauge all the time for checking the bikes pressures.

I don't carry jumper cables, but I think I will be adding some "motorcycle sized" cables in the future. And light bulbs are too easy to bust, so I don't carry them.

If you use your toolkit for maintenance, then you can clean and oil them before returning them to storage on the bike.
 
I purchased a small soft-side lunchbox size cooler to carry my tools in the left pannier. It contains a ST tool kit, Slime pump, bottle of Slime, tire plug kit, small multimeter, Cyalume stick, flashlight, and fuel transfer pump. The fuel pump is a Hangar 9 Ultra Fuel Pump that we've been using with our R/C hobby for years. I attached two 4' lengths of gasoline compatible tubing. It transfers roughly a gallon every 2-2.5 minutes. It doesn't weigh much or take up much space, but I figure it'll save someone's butt one of these days!
 
Thanks for your responses. I already have a tire guage, compressor, bottle of slime, plug kit, fuses, nylon ties, and a flashlight.

I need to add a Leatherman tool, jumper cables, electrical tape, and something to transfer fuel.

I still need some help in making a list of other tools and determing sizes and sources for - pliers, screw drivers, allen wrenches, other wrentches, ... Not sure if I should buy Craftsman tools or less expensive tools from somewhere like Harbor Freight.
 
Ask yourself and be honest, what are you capable of doing on the side of the highway, by yourself. Personally I can plug a tire, I can transfer gas from one vehicle to another, I could jump a battery..so I carry tools to do those tasks. I'm not pulling wheels or anything on the road, I can barely get it accomplished in the garage with a tool box full of tools. If it get much harder than What i described above, I'm calling AAA and having it towed to the nearest Honda shop. For that I carry my AAA card with RV coverage.
 
In my opinion, Craftsman tools ARE "less expensive" tools- they are about as cheap as I'd ever dare to use on my bike. A cheap tool is more likely to strip out a fastener, making the repair even more difficult. Here is what I've been carrying on longer trips-

-8, 10, 12, 14, 17mm- each size in both wrench, and socket (with ratchet). Honda uses even sizes (except the 17mm). Also include a wrench or socket for any odd sized fasteners used for any of your accessories/farkles.

-two sizes (small and medium) in both philips and flat screwdrivers.

-Wire cutters, strippers, & crimper.
-Assortment of wire terminals- a few butt connectors and various terminals.
-A length of 14 & 18ga. wire.
-Spare hadlight bulb. Wrap it in a paper towel and store it in an old prescription medicine bottle.
-Multimeter
-Compressor & tire plug kit.
-Metric allen wrenches.
-Home made allen tool for the front axle (bolt with nut welded to it).
-Needle nose pliers
-Pliers
-Electrical tape (quality brand)
-Zip ties
-Tire gauge
-Spare fuses
-Siphon hose
-Flash light
-Partial roll of duct tape
-Small adjustable wrench
-Large adjustable wrench

I carry this stuff in a small Craftsman tool bag in the left pannier. You can find these tool bags on sale for around $4 from time to time.

Besides Craftsman, I have also found the tools from Tractor Supply to be of fair quality. Not great, but O.K. for an emergency tool kit (close to quality of Craftsman).

I don't bother with bulbs for other lights- I don't consider them an emergency, and the bulbs are common, so they can be found at any part's store or truck stop.
I don't carry tire irons with me. If a plug won't fix the tire, you'll either need a professional repair or a new tire, neither of which you'll be doing on the side of the road.

Like others have said, carry any tool you have used for regular maintenance. Carry tools to do repairs you don't even know how to do- you might have a problem that you can't fix, but a passer by or fellow rider might know how, but not have the tools.
 
Awesome! Will use this as my shopping list for tomorrow. Anything I can't find I will borrow from my home tools before I head out next weekend.
 
Add a tube of "JB Stik" epoxy. Get it at O"Reilly's and other auto parts- looks/feels like a Tootsie Roll. It is still a two-part epoxy (JB like Weld), but in a putty form rather than liquid. You tear off as much as you need, then kneed (<---see what I did there? LOL) the two parts to mix. Consistency is like Silly-Putty; you smear it to the parts you want to bind and it sets up in less than ten minutes. It's perfect for a radiator save that has taken a rock hit. I vastly prefer it to JB Weld (made by same guys obviously)- as it can't leak" and since it isn't fluid- it stays where you apply it (upside down and contorted under the bike and all- which is of course where the puncture will be). When ya get home, you can grind/file/sand it to be pretty (or to take it to a shop for brazing), then paint right over it. Binds to about anything- it is a total trip saver. I like also that once opened- the balance of the roll stays fine- you don't have to toss the remainder or worry about it coming open and leaking all over your favorite Tommy Bahama. It's around $8- we'd all pay $50 or more for it on the side of the road...

jbstik_lrg.jpg


Manufacturer details here; http://jbweld.net/products/jbstik.php



One more item I have is a few feet of blue 2" wide Painter's Tape- I wrap it around a pencil or a tool to store it. It's great for the shoulder hours of the day when the sun is always right in your eyeballs- just lay a strip across the top of your visor to block. With a little trial & error- you'll find the sweet spot for how you hold your head. It peels right off with no residue.

PWp2LJ3oOldnBRSHJW4XvVr9Zm-KkoLBj7tpm1APUPEfkQ_2FVstWZmZjDJ3CjE75rxGbTKIyJixl5ILhydrThcMzVpEbldNRkEcHm7-jf7DoavndsrUTpIKkwu1K7OZtrLZwOdbUP6P9M03biBLdppUAmeRL5Oi
 
the Ferret said:
Ask yourself and be honest, what are you capable of doing on the side of the highway, by yourself. Personally I can plug a tire, I can transfer gas from one vehicle to another, I could jump a battery..so I carry tools to do those tasks. I'm not pulling wheels or anything on the road, I can barely get it accomplished in the garage with a tool box full of tools. If it get much harder than What i described above, I'm calling AAA and having it towed to the nearest Honda shop. For that I carry my AAA card with RV coverage.
Click to expand...

I agree totally. Heck, we aren't riding a bike made for the Dakar Rally. We're riding a Sport Touring Bike, meant for the highway, not the woods or trails. Looking at the list of tools and stuff theses guys carry, I wonder where they pack what little clothes they may take on a trip! We're going on a road trip, for crying out loud, not doubling as a State road side asisstance truck! LOL!!!
 
There are several items that I am glad I carry in my tool kit. All of these have been used on the road:

Wrench and sockets to remove the brake calipers and wheels.
Air compressor and patch kit.
Jumper cables (moto-specific cables from Road Gear are perfect).
Duct tape (use a pencil, dowel or similar as a spindle).
 
the Ferret said:
Ask yourself and be honest, what are you capable of doing on the side of the highway, by yourself. Personally I can plug a tire, I can transfer gas from one vehicle to another, I could jump a battery..so I carry tools to do those tasks. I'm not pulling wheels or anything on the road, I can barely get it accomplished in the garage with a tool box full of tools. If it get much harder than What i described above, I'm calling AAA and having it towed to the nearest Honda shop. For that I carry my AAA card with RV coverage.
Click to expand...

I struggle to find the right balance between packing no tools and packing every single tool that I own. Like you I have towing coverage and have somewhat limited mechanical skills. At a minimum I always bring enough tools to plug a tire, fill the tire with air, take off the tupperware, and replace the battery. However, I sometimes wonder if I only had a _____ in my tool kit I could avoid a tow.
 
All I can do is add my support for lengths of wire. Not just for the obvious electrical repair but I have used lengths of wire for all sorts of things, securing damaged panels, holding brake parts out of the way after damage, repairing a visor, long story that. Hey I'm not wishing any of these on you but just saying I like to have wire with me.
 
Slime air compressor, fits nicely under the seat. Tire plug kit. Hex wrench thingy-combo thing with a bunch of attachments.
 
My mechanical skills are limited to oil changes so really don't see the point in carrying more tools than the bike came with, well I replaced the screwdriver with something a little better. I have a question though, we are planning a trip through Newfoundland and thought of carrying one of those aerosol tire repair kits, are they going to make more of a mess than the convenience they offer and more importantly would it be safe to use on a bike?

Gerhard
 
For sure you'd want to be able to plug and fill a tire.
Spare fuses. (takes up next to no space)
As mentioned don't put your tools back doing your routine maintenance. See what you have laying out when you're done.
You'll note things like you need a 10mm socket and 10mm wrench to move the gas tank to the maintenance position or a stubby phillips to get the back air box screw off.

I wouldn't limit youself to what your're comfortable doing. Someone stopping to help might make use of something.
Prolly a good idea to have what you need to pull the wheels if you have a flat you can't fix.
No need to carry SAE that I can think of, unless there's something you added on. End of your multi screw driver fits the hose clamps.
Wire cutters wire elec tape crimper lugs elcheapo multimeter.
Flash light.
Duct tape JB weld.
Some nitril gloves in your small 1st aid kit.
The spark plug tool out of your eom tool kit. Or the wonder foam LOL.
Copy of the RAN list and Visa.
 
GOV5 said:
Looking at the list of tools and stuff theses guys carry, I wonder where they pack what little clothes they may take on a trip! We're going on a road trip, for crying out loud, not doubling as a State road side asisstance truck! LOL!!!
Click to expand...

Everything I listed previously, plus a few things I didn't list, fit in a small bag that takes up about the same space as one of my walking shoes. Given the choice, if I had to pick, I'd rather have the tools...even if I never use them. But i DO use them. This past trip I did a last minute alteration of my GPS wiring, which used my wire strippers & crimpers and a few terminals. During the ride the backrest on my top box came loose, so a screwdriver came in handy. I helped a motorist with a windshield wiper issue, and did a temporary repair so she could get home in the rain without scratching her windshield- wire cutters, a couple zip ties, and some duct tape (and a piece of coat hanger she supplied). On another bike I had to do a fairly major roadside repair to get me moving again, and was glad to have all those "extra" tools that normally go unused.

I guess it boils down to your life and personal situation. If you have time to wait for a tow, hang around for a couple days until repairs can be made, and have the funds to pay someone else for the repair (which won't be cheap while on the road), then you can probably get away with nothing more than a couple screwdrivers and a tire repair kit. For me, and others in my situation, I don't have those options. I'm already spending my money on the trip, I don't have funds for a tow or to pay someone else to do a repair I can do. I also have limited time- if I broke down on my way home from Moonshine, I didn't have the option of having it towed and waiting until Monday to have it fixed; if I wasn't at work Monday morning, I would be out of a job. I would spend the night on the side of the road or in a parking lot making repairs to ensure I was home for Monday morning.

Jim
 
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