Author Topic: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?  (Read 738 times)

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Offline willbird

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Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« on: July 06, 2023, 04:32:28 AM »
Back in the 90's I went on an 800 mile journey with my K2 from Ohio to the Outer Banks. I carried some tools with me. I have a Windjammer so I have room for a decent qty of tools. I did some Bicycling since then and have gotten used to having stuff onboard to fix simple issues.

Menards had a Crescent brand combination metric wrench set on sale for like $10 and I grabbed those. Thinking some sizes may not exist on the bike but still worth having with me.

I see a "Tusk" brand tool on Amazon that is a 27mm wrench for Axle nut combined with a tire lever on the other end that might be a good addition. Would need at least one more tire lever.

 I think a small 12V test light or even a simple multimeter might be a good addition.

I do not have an original tool kit and I am thinking my own setup might be better anyway.

Also I have used quite a few stainless metric allen screws so I will need some metric allens too.

Anything electrical inside the headlight shell would require removing the Jammer, kinda wondering if I can set that up so that it is held onto the mount with DZUS fasteners of some kind.

Maybe a spare inner tube ? ...thinking to find one tube size that would work both front and back to get back to civilization ??

Younger me never gave any of this stuff a thought really....
« Last Edit: July 06, 2023, 04:38:59 AM by willbird »

Offline Gurp

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2023, 04:58:05 AM »
I just did a 1000 mile weekend a month or so back on my little strutted sporty.
I carried the common sizes in wrench and socket for most things I can. Fix roadside. The smallest crescent wrench I could use to loosen my axle. I should have had a tube but it was left behind. Along with clothes and camp gear.
3/8
7/16
1/2
9/16
Socket wrench and ratchet wrench
Assortment of screw drivers I use commonly on the bike.
Small channel locks.
2 crescent wrenches
1 3/8 ratchet 2 3in extensions and a 3/8 drive swivel.
Everything packed well in the tool roll.

If I was going to trip on my Cb it would look about the same except metric sizes. And a set of points.

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Offline willbird

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2023, 05:07:00 AM »
I just did a 1000 mile weekend a month or so back on my little strutted sporty.
I carried the common sizes in wrench and socket for most things I can. Fix roadside. The smallest crescent wrench I could use to loosen my axle. I should have had a tube but it was left behind. Along with clothes and camp gear.
3/8
7/16
1/2
9/16
Socket wrench and ratchet wrench
Assortment of screw drivers I use commonly on the bike.
Small channel locks.
2 crescent wrenches
1 3/8 ratchet 2 3in extensions and a 3/8 drive swivel.
Everything packed well in the tool roll.

If I was going to trip on my Cb it would look about the same except metric sizes. And a set of points.

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

Pretty sure I had the Crescant adj wrench for Axle nut back in the day, but the purpose made 27mm is cooler and probably a lot lighter :-).  Not sure what sized CO2 inflation would be needed for a MC tire, I have those setups in my Bicycle tool kit. Looks like maybe two 16 gram C02 might be about right. They are threaded so there are some cool options avail to carry them.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSPrwnCelQW-OteJM8sJV1nayK2F4U5TsmM2A&usqp=CAU

Bill

Offline Gurp

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2023, 05:19:22 AM »
Man that CO2 inflation sounds pretty rad I've never though about that before.
That axle tool prob is lighter.
I use a 8 or 10 in crescent brand and it does the job. I unpack my tools when I'm at home. I need to get a stay with the bike kit together.

I will prob refine my pack when I get the CB on the road. And build a even more refined one when I get my 68 ironhead road ready.

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Offline newday777

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2023, 05:34:44 AM »
I wouldn't carry tools in the fairing as thr added weight is not good for handling.

10, 12, 13,14, 17mm wrenches and an adjustable for the axles. Sockets are good too in those sizes. Maybe an 8mm.
Feeler gauges for points and valves.
Tire tube patch kit and air pump as apposed to tubes for weight and space. You would need 2 tubes, not 1, as the bike has 2 different size rims.
Pliers and electrical repair tools. Spare fuses.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline willbird

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2023, 07:36:46 AM »
I wouldn't carry tools in the fairing as thr added weight is not good for handling.

10, 12, 13,14, 17mm wrenches and an adjustable for the axles. Sockets are good too in those sizes. Maybe an 8mm.
Feeler gauges for points and valves.
Tire tube patch kit and air pump as apposed to tubes for weight and space. You would need 2 tubes, not 1, as the bike has 2 different size rims.
Pliers and electrical repair tools. Spare fuses.

There is nowhere else on the bike to carry tools ;-). I was not really sure how controversial patching a MC bike tube was. The object that punctured needs to be found and removed as well as the first step.

One tip from the bicycle world was to carry a few cotton balls in your patch kit, if you cannot find a small thing like a staple wiping a cotton ball over the area will let the object grab some cotton and let you find it and remove it.

Bicycle tires overall are WAY easier to puncture...but another tip from the bicycle world is to wipe and inspect tires after each ride, an object may be stuck in but has not yet penetrated. This might be fairly easy on the MC rear when on center stand, not so easy for the front.

I have only had one flat on my bike ever and it was due to a poor rim strip combined with a scaly rusty rim.

Bill

Offline newday777

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2023, 09:49:12 AM »
Bill
There's always a spot to pack in a tool kit in your gear bags if you are out on a road trip.
Back in the 70s, I only had 1 flat out on my cross country trips and was glad I had a new tube and a pump(spark plug type). I was back on the road in less than an hour, with some help from friends who were along on the ride to Daytona.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline willbird

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2023, 09:55:24 AM »
There is some room under the seat where Honda put their tool kit. Not sure where my original tray went but I can make one. Was thinking that a tube proper dia for rear and width for front would work on both ends to get back to civilization:-). When my K2 was my dads he had a tube blow out due to a rusty rim and poor rim strip. A helpful farmer had tools and a proper dia tube that was narrower, it worked fine in back tire to proceed to our destination for the day then return home.

Online scottly

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2023, 10:26:00 AM »

Not sure what sized CO2 inflation would be needed for a MC tire, I have those setups in my Bicycle tool kit. Looks like maybe two 16 gram C02 might be about right. They are threaded so there are some cool options avail to carry them.

It took all 3 CO2 cartridges in my kit to raise the pressure from zero to 24 PSI on a 120/90 18 tire.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2023, 11:23:47 AM »
HondaMan recommended a little portable inflator that is smaller than a subway footlong. It isn't too expensive and works well. It is self contained and rechargeable.
Amazon carries it...
CYCPLUS Bike Tire Pump, Portable Electric Tire Inflator with 150 PSI and Auto-Stop Wireless Rechargeable Air Compressor with LED Light, Fast and Easy Inflate The Bike Motorcycle Car Balls, etc. https://a.co/d/8R814Ss
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2023, 12:21:36 PM »
Even on what turned out to become a 10.000km tour, I took nothing but the standard toolbag, a testlight and an adjustable wrench (Bahco). Tyres can be inflated at gas stations and garages en route. A flat tyre is just bad luck and means you need to call in help. It's with horror I see patches in a pic. No way I will patch a motorcycle tube, not as long as I'm within some distance of civlisation. 
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Offline willbird

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2023, 01:16:43 PM »
Even on what turned out to become a 10.000km tour, I took nothing but the standard toolbag, a testlight and an adjustable wrench (Bahco). Tyres can be inflated at gas stations and garages en route. A flat tyre is just bad luck and means you need to call in help. It's with horror I see patches in a pic. No way I will patch a motorcycle tube, not as long as I'm within some distance of civlisation.

I don't curl up and die at the thought of a well applied patch to get home. Just because I have it does not make it the default repair method. I have used them to get home on a road bicycle, then swapped it out for a new tube.

The inflator looks interesting in some ways. A half dozen CO2 are equal size or smaller tho and do not need to be recharged.

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #12 on: July 06, 2023, 01:31:40 PM »
You might spend more initially but it is a handy tool to have and you won't be buying pricey CO2 tube friendly cartridges. If you need to top up or inflate you can do it anywhere. Once you start riding/driving on a tire it heats up. You can do it cold before riding and get accurate air pressure readings.
Car can get topped up, etc.  Cold weather sets in you need to top up the pressures...
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline Phoenix

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2023, 01:39:13 PM »
There are trips and there are TRIPS.  A lot of the suggestions could probably get you thru the Gobi Desert.  Each year I go on about a two thousand mile trip from Indy to the Dragon, the Cherocola and the Blue Ridge to home.  No windscreen.  I'm in the AMA so can get taken 35 miles to get a tire taken care of.  I have an electronic ignition so sometimes I take points.  A Leatherman Wave will cover a lot of needs.  A couple feet of wire. Zip Ties.  Hex head.  Small crescent.  An original tool kit.  (you can buy repops)  Parachute line.  A head lamp and flashlight.  Somd fuses.  A rag.  A couple of 10's and 12's.  A master link.  A test light.  It all fits in a pretty tight package.  Believe it or not, I've used one or more of these items on trips over the years.
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Offline rotortiller

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2023, 11:50:19 AM »
Tire irons with F/R tubes or patch kit and bike tool kit will do the trick.

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #15 on: July 31, 2023, 04:46:59 PM »
With Dorothy I build a tool set to be able to do almost anything on the side of the road.  Transfered it to Red and never really used it.  The CB900C carries only the factory tool set and so far I never had to use it. 

I guess it comes with riding an old Honda.   :)

And for tires - Red and 900 both run tubeless and I carry a motocyclr plug kit with CO2 catridges.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2023, 04:48:36 PM by 70CB750 »
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Offline Rosinante

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Re: Self rescue on bike tool kit ?
« Reply #16 on: August 01, 2023, 01:45:38 PM »
There are trips and there are TRIPS.  A lot of the suggestions could probably get you thru the Gobi Desert.  Each year I go on about a two thousand mile trip from Indy to the Dragon, the Cherocola and the Blue Ridge to home.  No windscreen.  I'm in the AMA so can get taken 35 miles to get a tire taken care of.  I have an electronic ignition so sometimes I take points.  A Leatherman Wave will cover a lot of needs.  A couple feet of wire. Zip Ties.  Hex head.  Small crescent.  An original tool kit.  (you can buy repops)  Parachute line.  A head lamp and flashlight.  Somd fuses.  A rag.  A couple of 10's and 12's.  A master link.  A test light.  It all fits in a pretty tight package.  Believe it or not, I've used one or more of these items on trips over the years.

Consider duct tape and a coat hanger.  ;)
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