SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> The Cafe >> Tool bag and other prudent items
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1384282006

Message started by pgambr on 11/12/13 at 10:46:46

Title: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by pgambr on 11/12/13 at 10:46:46

A year ago I started using the 650 as a primary form of transportation. I logged on about 8K during that time. I can’t use saddle bags because the back wheel rubbed the rear bolts even without the supports on. I got stuck in the rain a couple times and have needed some odds and ends from time to time. Most the time I learned the hard way.

Necessity helped me come up with a pretty good solution. I found a dry bag designed for motorcycles that fits great and also adds 6 inches of back support. I have attached a couple pics of a Wolfman motorcycle dry bag. I am putting this on the site because it is pretty cheap ($70) and has proven to be beneficial. It has two straps that I run under the seat, than I used a bit extra to keep it in place. I also wanted to see what other items I should keep in it.

I keep the following:
Rainsuit – cheap yet effective
Gloves
Bungee net
Flashlight
Batteries
Small socket set 5 – 13
M allen wrenches
Zip ties
40 inch nyon compression straps
Screwdriver with multiple bits
Crescent wrench
Pliers – normal & needle nose
Zip ties
Extra fuses
Electrical tape

What else am missing? By the way Harbour Freight is a good place to start. Thanks for your assistance.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by pgambr on 11/12/13 at 10:47:48

Sorry.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by Serowbot on 11/12/13 at 11:28:46

Cheese crackers... :-?...

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by engineer on 11/12/13 at 12:48:42

Maybe a pocket knife or diagonal cut pliers and a short length of insulated wire to make an electrical repair.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by Blinky-FSO on 11/12/13 at 13:05:02

Tire gauge
Quarters for the air compressor
Oil and funnel
Sun screen
Something to take the sting out of bug bites

Good hunting

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by pgambr on 11/12/13 at 15:15:51

I don't know how I could forget the tire gauge. That for suggestions, will do. Best regards.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by mpescatori on 11/15/13 at 01:46:15

When motoring the States, I was shocked to disciover I need to pay to pump air in my tires... and that air pumps don't have a pressure gauge!
:o
In Europe, air is free and pumps have gauges! (or... should I drive to the fuel pump with a funnel and my own length of hose?)
:-?

Anyway... more than quarters, a small +12V plug and a miniature air pump are a safe choice.
Some double up as a flashlight and LD starter.

http://https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQZtN-tLGWaZ1YuMtsfrSgFqtN4V18ad37EL-eqlyC2yTnfV1G6pg

If the small electric pump is too bulky, a HD bicycle pump is just as good for pressures up to 30-35psi.

http://https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-GWDp8JcqAnnoM3VEDNdivbUd0Mk5sKFaKSyDtFWiGVImydBh

Also... H4 lamps for the front light, spare tail/stop and indicator lights, and some red transparent tape to fix the taillight.

Last... we all know inner tubes have the tendency to leak a little bit of air so a possible option is to deflate your tires completely and refill them with FIX-A-FLAT (tube type) and ride with "unflattable mousse".
I did this to my old Guzzi and she maintained the proper pressure for years! (until I sold her to a loving new owner)

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/03/article-2081510-0F52DB2F00000578-854_306x364.jpg

Else, who knows, these guys might manufacture motorcycle tubes as well !!!

http://images.gizmag.com/inline/smart-tubes-1.jpg

8-)

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by pgambr on 11/15/13 at 05:03:05

Thanks Pecsi, here is another American saying: When in Rome do as the Romans do."

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by engineer on 11/15/13 at 07:15:41

Maurizio Pescatori, I too was shocked when I went to the local gas station and found that the old air pump had been replaced with a new one that required a quarter to run!

It is a relatively new trend, at least in my area. Chances are they will eventually change over the pumps in Europe.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by HAPPYDAN on 11/16/13 at 11:26:33

Good idea! That's thinkin' with the bean! I use a bicycle tailbag, attached much the same way. I'm older and MacGyver-ish, so I carry a Swiss Army knife, BIC lighter, and duct tape. Also carry the Fix-a-Flat, and I have a 1-liter MSR fuel bottle which fits in the water bottle compartment. Maybe I should throw in some gold Kugerrands for serious bartering power! ;D

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by pgambr on 11/16/13 at 16:44:37

Is there any difference between the msr fuel canister and an aluminum water bottle?

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by verslagen1 on 11/16/13 at 17:17:02

o-ring is probably nitrile vs butile

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by pgambr on 11/16/13 at 17:41:42

Thanks, I should probably get one as opposed to leaking fuel on my stuff and the road.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by mpescatori on 11/18/13 at 04:50:16

776473726D6066646F30010 wrote:

o-ring is probably nitrile vs butile

Mine is virile... :D

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by RatdogWillie on 11/18/13 at 07:13:57

For rain time under a bridge, book or magazine, and a small hand crank radio.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by mpescatori on 11/18/13 at 07:34:04

516277676C64546A6F6F6A66030 wrote:

For rain time under a bridge, book or magazine, and a small hand crank radio.

Funny, I always thought a rain suit would get me home dryer and sooner... ::)

;)

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by verslagen1 on 11/18/13 at 09:19:20

5D6E7B6B606858666363666A0F0 wrote:

For rain time under a bridge, book or magazine, and a small hand crank radio.

book?... magazine?... are you leaving little presents under the bridge too? :o

I guess then you should add TP and a small shovel to your list. ;D

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by Serowbot on 11/18/13 at 09:29:59

Anybody suggest an Uzi yet?... ;D...

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by BalingWire on 07/07/14 at 07:46:45

Don't forget the essential baling wire!

A dozen winds around the hand is enough material to fix nearly anything temporarily. And pliers with decent wire cutters, but I've always got those on my belt anyway. :D

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by Spiff on 07/07/14 at 11:46:06

6770767A7565170 wrote:

Is there any difference between the msr fuel canister and an aluminum water bottle?

Don't try to store fuel in an ordinary water bottle. Use the MSR one.

It's specially vented to accommodate fuel expansion in hot temps.

Plus, you might accidentally pour water into your fuel tank ... or drink gasoline! :'(

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by jcstokes on 07/09/14 at 02:42:05

Most of that stuff fits in the drink bottle and the pepper pot.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by jcstokes on 07/09/14 at 02:53:03

How much is virile? Is it sold by the gram or ounce? What does it cost to ship it to New Zealand? Is it stronger and does it last longer than nitrile? Is it manufactured in Italy?

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by Tocsik on 10/21/14 at 13:29:22

jcstokes, the drink bottle/tool holder idea is great. Consider it 'stolen'.

Incidentally, I bought my S40 used and I think the tool kit is incomplete. Is there an essential item that comes with the stock tool kit that I should look at replacing? Most other items can be replaced with better quality but I don't want to miss a bike-specific tool that I may be missing.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by Steve H on 10/21/14 at 15:12:41

You might want to keep the original spark plug wrench. It gets in there pretty well.

The only thing I think you can't replace with better quality is the belt tension guage thingy. It's junk anyway...throw it as far as possible and never think about it again. See the tech section about belt adjustments.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by oldNslow on 10/21/14 at 16:08:35

1D262A3A2022490 wrote:

4mm allen wrench for the screw at the back of the seat. Not sure if one is supposed to come in the tool kit, but mine didn't have one.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by jcstokes on 10/21/14 at 16:39:59

One of those right angle removable adaptors to make it easy to inflate the rear tyre if necessary.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by MnSpring on 10/21/14 at 18:55:59

Have three, ‘bags’ on the bike.
The, small, ‘Headlight’ bag. The Insurance Card, a small, screwdriver, with various bits, a crescent, a few wrenches, hand warmers, set of gloves.
In a rear side bag, a, ‘Rain Suit’ (Frog Tog Knock Offs) Head Gator, another pair of gloves. and a few more tools.
All those items are permanent.
Most of the rest of the room is empty, to accommodate, a trip to the hardware store, for, ’things’. or the ‘mail’, or, the Most Important Thing, “Amber Fluid”.
Other items, which I would think I would need, are in, ‘packets’, then they go in, if I think I may need them. And what are in those, ‘packets’, of, ’things’, are all dependent on where you go, how long you ride, and where you live.

Their is one member here, who rides from, 200 feet to 5,000 feet, and, “scores Nice Leather Jackets”.
Which, Of Course being in AZ, “Does Not Need”, and is Totally un willing to, ’share’. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Anyway, a suggestion is: Pack/Have, what you think you will need, ‘ALL the time’.
Than, ‘have’ things ready to pack, for, "That Trip”.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/21/14 at 21:41:45

A length of parachute cord in case you see something that you want that won't fit in the bag.And Learn how to tie good knots. A bowline is essential.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/21/14 at 22:05:54

http://www.niteize.com/product/Figure-9-Tent-Line-Kit.asp

Or gitchya a coupla these. I had one, it was handy,even tho I am very accomplished at tying rope.

Title: Re: Tool bag and other prudent items
Post by Tocsik on 10/22/14 at 07:32:16

203B62616067656A530 wrote:

You might want to keep the original spark plug wrench. It gets in there pretty well....

Yeah, that's one of the items missing. :-/