Topic: What tools do you carry with you on your bike?

[KennyRedman]

I just completed the original toolkit that came with my 550, but I don’t see how it’s supposed to fit in the holder area under the seat. Does the F have a smaller space because of the shape of the rear of the seat? I assume it fit in there originally, right?

[TwoTired]

All my 550Fs have the tool kit under the rear of the seat.  As does my 78 K.

Did you fill your kit with Honda sourced tools?  I know some tools fit into the Spark plug socket to compact them a bit.

Cheers,

[jlh3rd]

all stock 550Fs' tool kits fit in that pocket. So you either have extra tools, non-honda tools, or just not packed right.
Hard to tell from the pic. but doesn't look like the oem bag either, looks longer, and different color. (mine is blue).
     As stated above, some tools fit inside others to save space.
When i repack mine, I tamp 'em down and roll the bag back and forth between my hands, it works for me....
     

[KennyRedman]

All my 550Fs have the tool kit under the rear of the seat.  As does my 78 K.

Did you fill your kit with Honda sourced tools?  I know some tools fit into the Spark plug socket to compact them a bit.

Cheers,

Maybe it’s a matter of packing them correctly- like Tetris!

[KennyRedman]

Sweet, I finally got it to fit!

[Flyin900]

Those Honda tools will help in a pinch.... and their still pretty clean and shiny. When all else fails CAA, or in your case AAA is your friend. Bailed me out a few times, when no tools would have helped. 

[KennyRedman]

Those Honda tools will help in a pinch.... and their still pretty clean and shiny. When all else fails CAA, or in your case AAA is your friend. Bailed me out a few times, when no tools would have helped. 

I’ll have to check my policy and see if I have towing or roadside assistance. I don’t think I do.

[Don R]

 Yeah, the tee handle goes in the handle extension and at least one screwdriver bit goes in the plug socket.  The screwdriver handle goes between the pliers handles. Big things first then smaller ones.

[flatlander]

yes that's it. it's a tight fit but it fits. my 550F came with the complete original tool kit and i always keep it under the saddle. that and a multi-tool in my pocket are always with me. only on longer trips i take an extended tool set with sockets, feeler gauges etc. which is probably not strictly needed but makes routine work a bit easier.

[70CB750]

I have to say I carry too many tools with me on Red, she got it from Dorothy, but I did not need any of it for many years except when the sidecar bracket needed tightening.

On CB900C it's just the original toolkit for local rides.

[jonda500]

the three screwdriver bits fit exactly inside the handle extension, the rest is a game of tetris every time to get the pouch to fit back under the seat!
John

[flatlander]

I have to say I carry too many tools with me on Red, she got it from Dorothy, but I did not need any of it for many years except when the sidecar bracket needed tightening.

i carry the tools only for my buddy who rides a triumph 

[Stev-o]

The 550F has the standard tool kit under the seat.

On my Kawasaki two strokes, there is a spare spark plug holder just in case you foul a plug, how handy!



[the cover is removed and off to the left just for the pic]

[ekpent]

Never really carried any tools for some reason on my 750's even though I got a box of tool kits. Been lucky I guess and a cell phone is good !

[70CB750]

Never really carried any tools for some reason on my 750's even though I got a box of tool kits. Been lucky I guess and a cell phone is good !

750s dont need no tools:). 

[kerryb]

I now carry a complete tool kit, plus a compressor.  Not one of 7 hondas has broken down and left me stranded.  Just the harley got a flat tire...
But...In a Barstow Ca. antique store 3 days ago,  I found a honda hook? spanner to complete my stock tool kit.  After buying a couple other items the proprietor said I could have that one.  Win, win, I didn't tell her I knew what it was and was prepared to pay a premium for it.

[Deltarider]

Here some extra tools that are in the pouch under the seat, mainly because they are so small.
On the right a small 5,5mm wrench which makes it easier to fasten the little nut at the breakerpoints.
A small allen key for undoing the float bowl bolts.
A copper wire that has an alligator clip on one end and is stranded open on the other.
Two ca. 0,4mm thick pieces cut out of an old credit card to be used as isolators.
Here is how it works, when you are not sure of the quality of the sparks.
Isolate breakerpoints as shown in the pic.
Attach alligator clip to the small center bolt of the breakerpoints, either 1+4 or 2+3.
Unplug plugcaps 1+4 or 2+3. You could unscrew the sparkplugs, but test can also be performed with reserve plugs, if you happen to carry extra.
Connect plugcaps to the sparkplugs that are out and are firmly (!) grounding to the engine block.
Turn on the ignition. Relax, both breakerpoints are isolated, so the coils are not taxed.
Simply move the stranded copper wire loosely over any part of the engine or frame (unpainted).
The effect will be a rapid serie of sparks very similar to when engine is running.
Verify the sparks are white or blue and not red.
If needed, compare to the other set.
The advantage is, you hardly use power and it will save you cranking the engine.
But above all: due to the stranded copper wire, there is this very rapid firing, which results in much more realistic sparks than by just holding a sparkplug to the block and crank one turn. The difference is huge.
For the rest the standard tool set Honda provide and on longer stretches I carry a multimeter automotive type. The latter can also be used under the transparent of the tank bag if I would need to diagnose charging or whatever, which is never.

[kerryb]

Yeah, the tee handle goes in the handle extension and at least one screwdriver bit goes in the plug socket.  The screwdriver handle goes between the pliers handles. Big things first then smaller ones.

First time I saw a stock tool kit, the pliers were separated ( I thought that was odd) but now I think it was to fit better in the tool pouch.  Never saw a pair of pliers designed to be separated before.

[PeWe]

Telephone so I can call for help
A friend of mine has helped me with his trailer.

[BenelliSEI]

I always squeeze in a length of stainless steel aircraft wire and a few zip ties. Make sure there are a few spare fuses in the lid (or extras slots) too.

[Prospect]

With my cb750 I carry nothing. With my Harley panhead I carry about half my garage.

[spotty]

when i used to ride hotted up vespas it go to the point where if i was going on a long ride i'd carry enough tools and consumable spares ( carb bits, cables, gearbox selectors etc) to completely strip the motor and it got to the point that i'd pop a spare crank in the overnight bag too.....

[Bodi]

No picture, but from memory, for the 400F:
Wrenches - 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm wrenches (assorted types, some box end originals and at least the 10mm is a combination wrench, plus whatever box end wrenches fit the front and rear axle nuts - these are probably original with the flat tube extender handle
10/12mm double ended tube wrench (original?)
Original tool kit pliers
original tool kit screwdriver tips and tee handle (I don't have the original screwdriver handle)
Vessel hand impact driver handle  - old (70's) model with long bits and no 1/2" drive plus small and large Phillips (JIS?) and small and large flat bits. This type is smaller than the newer ones but still works really well
OEM spark plug wrench
Spark plug gap gauge
Feeler gauge set (probably Canadian Tire, 0.004" leaf has modified tip to help get into tappet clearance)
Tappet adjuster wrench (10mm?) and square drive little screwdriver like tool - allows holding the adjuster while tightening the lock nut
Tiny flat screwdriver (cheap but OK)
Tiny retractable blade utility knife
Piece of 3/16" or maybe 1/8" aluminum plate about 4" square, this is a support for the side stand when parking in soft ground so bike doesn't fall over (added after unfortunate experience)
Hex keys to fit installed aftermarket Allen head case and other screws, I think 3 sizes maybe 4
A few split pins for the axle castle nuts.
Probably a few other small things but I don't feel like going out to the shed to look.

That all fits in the original tool case.

I have pods (and it's tuned for them - no hate please) and thus the filter case is empty. The outlet is covered with something (i think it's a piece of wood grain Formica glued to the inside) and the interior holds:
4x new gapped D8EA or ESL plugs, in a little rectangular tobacco tin (not Prince Albert, Douwe Egberts IIRC)
Ontario official highway map (OK, pointless considering I carry a smartphone but still in there but not current)
Some fuses (7A, 15A)
Original owners manual, with registration and insurance certificate put between pages, in a waterproof freezer bag
Spare H4 (35/35W) bulb
Maybe spare signal bulbs - single and/or dual filament
Some bandaids
About 2 feet of duct tape rolled up on a bit of pencil
A basic paper medical mask (Covid rules here require a mask to enter almost anywhere... and sometimes I forget it when I go for a ride) in a baggie

For the CB77:
The tool case is a roughly triangular tube between the side covers.
In a shop cloth roll that jams in there:
10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm combination wrenches (13mm is for the seat hold down bolts, originals are lost and unobtainable at decent cost... I got metric bolts that fit from HD or Loews and silver soldered on nuts to imitate the original oddball bolts... but the bolt heads are 13mm instead of the OEM 14mm heads)
JIS medium screwdriver (fits case screws)
Some slipjoint pliers, I think from a Toyota car tool kit
Spark plug wrench similar to the 400F original (the JIS screwdriver goes through the holes to torque it)
Box end wrenches - 17mm plus two for the axle nuts, these are mixed brand tool kit ones picked from a random tool bin at a bike wreckers
That pretty much fills the tube. I jam in a repro owners manual with ownership and insurance papers in it, again in a freezer bag, into the tube alongside the tool roll.

The CB77 has a carrier rack, with an aluminum equipment case (12x8x3"?) I salvaged from somewhere strapped to it.
I have a pair of new gapped plugs in there, a spare H4 bulb (same 35/35W), and on longer rides I add a newer Vessel hand impact driver and a few tips. This one has the 1/2" drive, tip adapter, and quite hex drive short tips. It goes my tool chest when not on the bike.
A smallish American Lock Co. padlock (I have a few of these keyed alike and have a key for them on my keyring) that I can use to lock a helmet or two to the carrier tubing if I leave the bike out of sight for long but don't want to carry my helmet)
A weird pillow I found somewhere packs in there to keep these things from bouncing around and smashing.
Under the seat, in film cans wire tied to the frame, are some spare fuses and a spare tail light bulb.

The Vessel hand impact drivers are pure gold. Nothing else loosens balky cover screws or tightens them enough that they don't vibrate loose and fall off. You can always find a rock or something to bash it with no matter where you are.

[70CB750]

With my cb750 I carry nothing. With my Harley panhead I carry about half my garage.

Yeah, I got into the the habit of many tools with my first bike - CZ250 two stroke.  It needed frequent attwention.

[Prospect]

You carry all these tools?? Wow. I think it would be very heavy and difficult to store somewhere.

No picture, but from memory, for the 400F:
Wrenches - 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm wrenches (assorted types, some box end originals and at least the 10mm is a combination wrench, plus whatever box end wrenches fit the front and rear axle nuts - these are probably original with the flat tube extender handle
10/12mm double ended tube wrench (original?)
Original tool kit pliers
original tool kit screwdriver tips and tee handle (I don't have the original screwdriver handle)
Vessel hand impact driver handle  - old (70's) model with long bits and no 1/2" drive plus small and large Phillips (JIS?) and small and large flat bits. This type is smaller than the newer ones but still works really well
OEM spark plug wrench
Spark plug gap gauge
Feeler gauge set (probably Canadian Tire, 0.004" leaf has modified tip to help get into tappet clearance)
Tappet adjuster wrench (10mm?) and square drive little screwdriver like tool - allows holding the adjuster while tightening the lock nut
Tiny flat screwdriver (cheap but OK)
Tiny retractable blade utility knife
Piece of 3/16" or maybe 1/8" aluminum plate about 4" square, this is a support for the side stand when parking in soft ground so bike doesn't fall over (added after unfortunate experience)
Hex keys to fit installed aftermarket Allen head case and other screws, I think 3 sizes maybe 4
A few split pins for the axle castle nuts.
Probably a few other small things but I don't feel like going out to the shed to look.

That all fits in the original tool case.

I have pods (and it's tuned for them - no hate please) and thus the filter case is empty. The outlet is covered with something (i think it's a piece of wood grain Formica glued to the inside) and the interior holds:
4x new gapped D8EA or ESL plugs, in a little rectangular tobacco tin (not Prince Albert, Douwe Egberts IIRC)
Ontario official highway map (OK, pointless considering I carry a smartphone but still in there but not current)
Some fuses (7A, 15A)
Original owners manual, with registration and insurance certificate put between pages, in a waterproof freezer bag
Spare H4 (35/35W) bulb
Maybe spare signal bulbs - single and/or dual filament
Some bandaids
About 2 feet of duct tape rolled up on a bit of pencil
A basic paper medical mask (Covid rules here require a mask to enter almost anywhere... and sometimes I forget it when I go for a ride) in a baggie

For the CB77:
The tool case is a roughly triangular tube between the side covers.
In a shop cloth roll that jams in there:
10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm combination wrenches (13mm is for the seat hold down bolts, originals are lost and unobtainable at decent cost... I got metric bolts that fit from HD or Loews and silver soldered on nuts to imitate the original oddball bolts... but the bolt heads are 13mm instead of the OEM 14mm heads)
JIS medium screwdriver (fits case screws)
Some slipjoint pliers, I think from a Toyota car tool kit
Spark plug wrench similar to the 400F original (the JIS screwdriver goes through the holes to torque it)
Box end wrenches - 17mm plus two for the axle nuts, these are mixed brand tool kit ones picked from a random tool bin at a bike wreckers
That pretty much fills the tube. I jam in a repro owners manual with ownership and insurance papers in it, again in a freezer bag, into the tube alongside the tool roll.

The CB77 has a carrier rack, with an aluminum equipment case (12x8x3"?) I salvaged from somewhere strapped to it.
I have a pair of new gapped plugs in there, a spare H4 bulb (same 35/35W), and on longer rides I add a newer Vessel hand impact driver and a few tips. This one has the 1/2" drive, tip adapter, and quite hex drive short tips. It goes my tool chest when not on the bike.
A smallish American Lock Co. padlock (I have a few of these keyed alike and have a key for them on my keyring) that I can use to lock a helmet or two to the carrier tubing if I leave the bike out of sight for long but don't want to carry my helmet)
A weird pillow I found somewhere packs in there to keep these things from bouncing around and smashing.
Under the seat, in film cans wire tied to the frame, are some spare fuses and a spare tail light bulb.

The Vessel hand impact drivers are pure gold. Nothing else loosens balky cover screws or tightens them enough that they don't vibrate loose and fall off. You can always find a rock or something to bash it with no matter where you are.

[desertrefugee]

I carry a 9mm.

[Stev-o]

I carry a 9mm.

I think a 10mm [wrench] would be more useful for repairs! 

[Bodi]

The original 400F tool tray is definitely full and has to be packed carefully but everything fits ok. Not that heavy. What's in the filter box doesn't weigh much.

[KennyRedman]

I carry a 9mm.

I think a 10mm [wrench] would be more useful for repairs!

[kap384@telus.net]

I carry this. Can carry 13 ¼” drive accessories, has a ¼” drive by ¼” ball socket adapter to run any socket, and has a high speed end and high torque end with an included extension for tight spaces.

[KennyRedman]

I carry this. Can carry 13 ¼” drive accessories, has a ¼” drive by ¼” ball socket adapter to run any socket, and has a drive end plus a high speed end and high torque end with an included extension for tight spaces.

That’s pretty cool. I like it.

[70CB750]

I carry this. Can carry 13 ¼” drive accessories, has a ¼” drive by ¼” ball socket adapter to run any socket, and has a drive end plus a high speed end and high torque end with an included extension for tight spaces.

Do you have a link?

[KennyRedman]

I carry this. Can carry 13 ¼” drive accessories, has a ¼” drive by ¼” ball socket adapter to run any socket, and has a drive end plus a high speed end and high torque end with an included extension for tight spaces.

Do you have a link?

Can’t tell if your being sarcastic or not, but here it is:

https://engduro.com/products/doubletrak

[70CB750]

I carry this. Can carry 13 ¼” drive accessories, has a ¼” drive by ¼” ball socket adapter to run any socket, and has a drive end plus a high speed end and high torque end with an included extension for tight spaces.

Do you have a link?

Can’t tell if your being sarcastic or not, but  ;Dhere it is:

https://engduro.com/products/doubletrak

No sarcasm, just morning stupidity.

[Ellz10]

All my 550Fs have the tool kit under the rear of the seat.  As does my 78 K.

Did you fill your kit with Honda sourced tools?  I know some tools fit into the Spark plug socket to compact them a bit.

Cheers,

Do these original kits contain the same exact tools across years and sizes (550, 750, ect)? I have a '77 K7 and am looking into getting the original toolset that came with mine.

[Prospect]

I'm wondering too. I have a tool set and I think it's from a cb350f but I'm now carrying it on the cb750.

All my 550Fs have the tool kit under the rear of the seat.  As does my 78 K.

Did you fill your kit with Honda sourced tools?  I know some tools fit into the Spark plug socket to compact them a bit.

Cheers,

Do these original kits contain the same exact tools across years and sizes (550, 750, ect)? I have a '77 K7 and am looking into getting the original toolset that came with mine.

[Flyin900]

The Honda tools are mostly still available from Honda as individual pieces. There are sometimes an EBay vendor who will put together a complete tool kit including the tool bag.
Most of the smaller general tools/screwdriver bits are the same between Honda models, yet the larger spanners for the bigger bikes are adjusted to reflect the larger rear axle nuts.
I just put together a brand new CB350F tool kit and was able to buy every tool brand new with the exception of a NLA hard to find 10mm and 12mm box wrench. An EBay seller had the exact piece I needed to complete the set.

[Stev-o]

The tools [priced separately] are included in some part fiches and many are still available new for very fair prices.

https://www.partsfish.com/oemparts/a/hon/506b8b42f870023420a1e81e/seat-tool

Used, nearly complete tool kits are available on eBay, generally around $50...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334215580671?hash=item4dd0cd0bff:g:VbcAAOSwXtthjcLa