How to: build emergency tool kit

[ducati culture]

Lets not forget zip ties....  Save my azz many times! 

[Slide Panda]

Heavier duty than can be contained under a monsters seat - but a good thread on ADV Rider
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262998

[militar3rd]

Gotta have zipties.

When I was young, I used it a lot. 

[cmejia1978]

my humble contribution: FUSES!!! yes, those little stupid-fragile-plastic-transparent-good-for-nothing ( or so I thought until I had to tow my bike home for not carrying 2x 20 of those...)  5,7.5,10,15,20,30 at least I am carrying now 3x of each

[Gimpy]

my humble contribution: FUSES!!! yes, those little stupid-fragile-plastic-transparent-good-for-nothing ( or so I thought until I had to tow my bike home for not carrying 2x 20 of those...)  5,7.5,10,15,20,30 at least I am carrying now 3x of each

A big +1 on an extra fuses.  I ended up with a short on the ignition circuit when the wiring harness melted against the motor, and while it did not get me home, and extra 30amp fuse got me off of the interstate.

[stonemaster]

wrap some gorilla tape around one of your wrenches, that stuff is WAY stronger than duct tape

[oldndumb]

Some good info. Myself, I keep it simple.



And

[ducatiz]

Some good info. Myself, I keep it simple.

I cancelled my AMA roadside after getting stuck in Manhattan and waited 4 hours only to be called back and told tough luck.

[oldndumb]

I cancelled my AMA roadside after getting stuck in Manhattan and waited 4 hours only to be called back and told tough luck.

Not what I would have expected. I have never used it but have friends who have and they were satisfied. Did they offer any explanation when they called you back? Also wondering if you spoke with them when cancelling and if they had an explanation for the no service? Further wondering if location had anything to do with it, and if so, thinking they should declare that in their agreement.

I've depended on calling them for tows, rather than my insurance company based on some horror stories I've heard about some tow operators and having seen some as they come into my shop. Now you've got me worried.

The previous advice re tool kits can address minor problems but not of much use when parts or diagnostics are needed.

Edit: Scratch the location question.

[ducatiz]

They told me they could not find a company that would do the tow for a bike!  It was very frustrating.  When I called to cancel, they were very apologetic but spent 20 minutes trying to keep me from cancelling and demanding a refund.  It was very annoying.

I have had AAA since then and they actually >own their own tow trucks< and the one time I called for a tow on my bike, a AAA branded flatbed showed up and saddled the bike right up.

AMA relies on local companies to do it -- AAA has both their own truck and uses local companies.  Had I had AAA at that time, they have plenty of trucks in Manhattan...  AMA?  Not one.

[JoeP]

Good thread! I don't think a 16g CO2 inflator will do a motorcycle tire. I have trouble enough getting them to inflate a mountain bike tire. I'd carry a manual pump just in case you need more air, or in case of user error when the CO2 winds up in the air instead of in the tire. I know this can happen.

[danaid]

  A roll of electrical tape saved my ass recently when my clutch reservoir lid and hose sprung a leak. i'll be adding the tape to the zip ties and assorted hex wrenches that have saved me on the road.

[monster 795]

Lots of good info! Thanks!

[S21FOLGORE]

Example of the  “emergency repair”





(Broken brake / clutch levers, brake / shift pedals are pretty common. That’s why a lot of guys (including myself) carry Vise Grip pliers.)

Motul Hand cleaner (My favorite. Especially handy when water is not available.)

[ducatiz]

Oh COME ON.  his hands weren't dirty at all.  He could have wiped them on his jeans and be done with it.

When I am working on something, I get crazy grease and black BLACK stuff on my hands that GoJo and pumice won't take off. Let's see them do this demo with someone with actual dirty hands...

Motul Hand cleaner (My favorite. Especially handy when water is not available.)