Toolkit/Multitool recommendations

As the GSXR I bought came without the underseat toolkit, I am thinking
of getting a few tools to keep under the seat, for emergencies and the
like.

So what should I get? Some kind of multitool or just get a few decent
individual items? If the latter, what would I need - I'll assume 8, 10,
12, 13 and 14mm, spanners, pliers, screwdriver and allen keys. Anything
else?

Ta

Kiran

 

The only 'tool' I carry is my AA membership card.

 

Multitools are shit in this context. No discussion.

Go the individual items route (the ones you've listed with the addition
of a plug spanner); if it's just as a get you home toolkit then something
cheap and cheerful (brands like City, Rolson, Laser and the like) from a
motor factors will be good enough.

If it's as part of a toolkit for home buy something a bit better (Teng,
Sealy, Sykes, Kamasa etc.)

You could probably do a fair quality get you home, minor servicing kit
for about £20-£30.

 

AA / RAC / Green flag* membership

*delete as applicable.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 155 TS
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

A lot of annoying gremlins or en route adjustments are easily done by the
rider and don't need recovery.

I'm not advocating rebuilding the bloody thing by the roadside but in a
large number of cases breakdown recovery aren't going to come out to
assist you adjust something.

 

So, err, you'd call out the RAC or whoever to undo two allen bolts to
take off the seat? Or to tighten up a numberplate that's literally
about to fall off? Fair enough, better get a decent book through as you
could be in for long wait.

Anyway, I have breakdown cover with Auntie Carole.

Kiran

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I saw some genuine Suzuki toolkits on
ebay, but they were going for about £25 plus postage [1]. I'll have a
look this weekend and get a few bits.

I've got some fairly decent stuff for home use but this is stuff I want
to be able to put under the seat and forget about until I need it.

Kiran

[1] Which is ridiculous given that they're probably very poor quality
items.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Kiran amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=MMTK

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Err...

)

 

Ta, looks alright but they're out fo stock.

Kiran

 

YMV. I've never had anything that I could fix by the roadside on the bikes.
I do carry tools in the cars though....
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 155 TS
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Kiran amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Bugger. I didn't see that <g>

 

Why would I need to do that? Min'es held on by a key. Not really a lot of
point in putting your tools under the seat if you need tools to get the
seat off....

Well, I tend to check that things like that are not going to fall off before
I leave home, where all my tools, anyway.
If it did then work it's way loose, I'd either take it off completely, or if
I couldn't do that for lack of tools, I'd chance getting it home.

Or not. Never taken more than 40 mins recovery time when I've actually been
waiting as opposed to at a client (this was for the cars)

Cool

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 155 TS
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

You'd be better off spending 25 quid on cheese.

 

Angle grinder. Duh.

 

Heh. Has Sir checked Ebay item 7966102343 yet? I have a happy feeling
it'll make a damn sight more than 25 quid.

Seriously, though, you want tools to do the following tasks: adjust
chain, change a brake or clutch lever, change a throttle cable, and
access behind the fairing (allen and screw fasteners, presumably).
That'll cover 99% of what you might need to do on the road, away from
home. Except punctures, of course.

I'd also pack a roll of electrical or gaffa tape - incredibly useful at
odd times - and a couple of spare fuses if the fusebox doesn't hold
spares. And a pair of two of those polythene gloves they dole out at
diesel pumps. If you have space, a pair of Mole grips is worth toting.
I mean, they can be used to shift nuts that you haven't a spanner for,
hold items steady while you do something else, and I've even heard of
them being used as emergency gear levers.

On the Ducati I carry a spare front brake lever, on the basis that if
it falls over and breaks the clutch lever, I can get home, but a broken
brake lever strands you. (Actually, the same unit is used on both sides
on the Ducati. It's symmetrical, and you can just turn it upside down!)

 

Not if you've fitted R&G crash mushrooms. Then you'll need a special deep
14mm socket and a bloody ratchet handle to turn it with. Mutter mutter.

 

My Gixxer home brew kit includes a 36mm shifting spanner. Start from there
(rear wheel spindle). Halfords do a decent cheap range that doesn't seem to
rust badly.

 

Bear says...

Only because your chain adjuster bolts were seized solid through lack
of use.