Road Kit

[beemerbrad]

Want to thank you all for the great information/tips you've provided over time. I've only posted once before but have referenced this site many times and had my questions answered.
I have used my 2004 1150r (silver, 13k) over the years largely for around town and day trips; relying on my k1200 for the long hauls. But now is the time to stretch her out a bit. I have a 10 day trip planned and would like some advice putting together the ultimate road hazard, spare part, emergency kit to take along with. I won't be camping this time so with the side and top case I should have plenty of room to spare. Thanks in advance for your 2 cents.

[gregor]

Assuming the bike is recently serviced.Standard tool kit is fine for the odd tweak. I carry very little extra as I'd rely on the AA to bring me home. Some engine oil for topping up and maybe some duct tape for universal repair purposes? A small first aid kit may be useful.Talking about the UK where help is never too far away.

[wncbmw]

I have a small box with some odd 'fix it' stuff, like duct tape, a few fasteners, cable ties, etc. I just recently added a small first aid kit to the tankbag with some additional medications for some of the stomach ailments you might pick up on the road.

Even though you are not camping, bring a flashlight or headlamp. You never know when you might need some light to fix the bike on the side of the road. And depending on your age, you might add reading glasses for that same reason. I have them for just such an event.

I also have added a small air pump compressor and put a better tire repair kit than the stock toolkit set up.

[rdsmith3]

spare headlight bulb

have you replaced the plastic fuel disconnects? If not you may want to bring two of those, and some fuel line clamps

[challey]

For longer trips, I make up a travel tool kit that consists of the following:
• limited set of TORX drivers (T25 is probably the most useful – you can leave the T27 at home – I’ve yet to find a fastener in that size)
• 3/8 drive socket wrench with a TORX T45, T40 and T30 sockets as well as 12 - 17 mm hex sockets
• hex key set
• needle nose pliers
• medium size vise grips
I also bring a roll of electrical tape, my Airman Sparrow pump and Stop N'Go plugger, assorted cable ties and my Leatherman tool. Spare head and tail light bulbs are also good to have along. I also have a "universal" throttle cable mending kit that I carry - not sure if it will actually work in the event of a broken cable but it doesn't take up much room. If the trip is more than 1000 miles, I bring along some extra engine oil - usually not needed though.

Some personal items that I carry along are a small barrier device for CPR (I'm a volunteer EMT), aspirin, ibrufen, cortisone and triple antibiotic ointment, some dressings and bandages, sunscreen (SPF 50) and a hat.

A small flashlight is invaluable.

Maybe a bit of an overkill - YMMV.

Charlie
(not likely to be taking any long bike trips this summer!)

[bikermeow]

I am seriously intrigued by this US$20 thingy:



Engine Powered Air Pump for Motorcycles -
5 ft Hose with Quick-Release Lever

This is the most efficient way to fully re-inflate a motorcycle tire when an air compressor is not available. It converts any 2 or 4 stroke engine into an air compressor. This pump uses the vacuum of your motor to suck clean outside air into the hose and the compression to force that air into the tire. A two-way check valve prevents any gas fumes from entering your tire.

[lionlady]

I am seriously intrigued by this US$20 thingy:



Engine Powered Air Pump for Motorcycles -
5 ft Hose with Quick-Release Lever

This is the most efficient way to fully re-inflate a motorcycle tire when an air compressor is not available. It converts any 2 or 4 stroke engine into an air compressor. This pump uses the vacuum of your motor to suck clean outside air into the hose and the compression to force that air into the tire. A two-way check valve prevents any gas fumes from entering your tire.

I was about to go surfing on to the stopngo site and get that compressor (my Sparrow is having "issues") until I spotted the stupid PLASTIC inflation valve. My Sparrow pump has one and it is a royal PITA!!!

Does anyone know of a portable air compressor that has a METAL inflation valve? Or am I going to have to figure out a way to "re-engineer" my Sparrow?

P

[jeepinbanditrider]

Any good shop that makes air or hyd hoses should be able to make you a hose easy.

I had a cheepo chinese air comressor. I split the case open and mounted it to the bike but while I had it apart it has a common screw in port where the hose screws into. They were able to make me a good rubber hose with brass ends on it and I loved it.

[riceburner]

I am seriously intrigued by this US$20 thingy:



Engine Powered Air Pump for Motorcycles -
5 ft Hose with Quick-Release Lever

This is the most efficient way to fully re-inflate a motorcycle tire when an air compressor is not available. It converts any 2 or 4 stroke engine into an air compressor. This pump uses the vacuum of your motor to suck clean outside air into the hose and the compression to force that air into the tire. A two-way check valve prevents any gas fumes from entering your tire.

err - how on earth does that work again???

edit - according to this : http://www.stopngo.com/products/inflation/PQE1.asp it uses the COMBUSTION CHAMBER PRESSURE accessed via the spark plug hole!!

err - anyone with a twin spark head, might I suggest removing BOTH plug leads....

also - has anyone tried one of these in a boxer twin?? you'd need to remove ALL the plug leads to be able to turn the bike over safely - if you've tried starting the bike with only one side plugged in the bike shakes so much it nearly falls off the center-stand!!

[lionlady]

Any good shop that makes air or hyd hoses should be able to make you a hose easy.

I had a cheepo chinese air comressor. I split the case open and mounted it to the bike but while I had it apart it has a common screw in port where the hose screws into. They were able to make me a good rubber hose with brass ends on it and I loved it.

THANKS!!

P

[FloridaBeakster]

Well, I finally wrote down all the tools I carry on the bike ALL THE TIME. Note that NONE of this is carried in the side cases, it is all contained on the bike without any use of any luggage space.

IN THE TOOL ROLL in the tail trunk under the rear seat
-----
BMW spark plug cap remover
spark plug socket
pin/tommy bar
12V test light
17mm lug wrench
lug wrench extension handle
razor blade
screwdriver (phillips/flat)
allen wrenches: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
torqx wrenches: 25, 30, 40, 45
open end wrenches: 8x10, 10x13, 17x19
lineman's pliers (6")
feeler gauges: 0.15mm, 0.30mm
cable ties

TAIL TRUNK under rear seat
-----
tire pressure gauge
fuel injection hose clamps (2)
fuel disconnect o-rings with grease (4)
fuses (15A, 20A)
misc 6mm bolts, washers, nyloc nuts
3/8" drive T-handle adapter
3" 3/8" drive extension
3/8" drive 5mm allen
spare micro-relay and crimp-on spade connectors
cable ties
registration/insurance card
cloth rag
multi-meter
luggage straps

BETWEEN FUSE BOX AND REAR FENDER
-----
log book and pen
BMWMOA Anonymous book
Tow strap (cable tied to side frame rail)

IN FUSE BOX
-----
fuse/relay location diagram
wiring diagrams for bike
fuses (4A, 7.5A, 10A, 15A, 20A)
spare tail/brake bulb (1077)
spare turn signal bulb (1057)

ON TOP OF AIR BOX under gas tank
-----
12V air compressor (el-cheapo stripped of all plastic)
Stop N Go tubeless tire plug kit
waterless hand cleaner (in small squirt bottle)
BMW socket to SAE adapter
rope
SAE outlet (on end of 3' cable used to power tankbag)

IN TOOL TUBE
-----
1L of 93 octane unleaded gasoline
fuel injection hose
male and female plastic fuel disconnects

-----

The 3/8" drive stuff and 6mm bolts/nuts are in case I need to repair/access my custom horn/relay mount under the tank. However, if you added the oil filter cup wrench, the 3/8" drive stuff would let you change the oil. My disconnects have been replaced with metal ones, so the stuff in the tool tube is in case I need to transfer fuel to another bike, drain the tank, or re-fill my 1L fuel bottle. I mounted the tool tube (a tractor manual canister) in place of the charcoal canister. It holds a 1L MSR fuel bottle that I use for my stove, or as an emergency fuel supply if I were to run out of gas. I also carry a spare fuel filter under the gas tank in the ABS space (where I relocated my in-tank fuel filter to for easier access). The spare bulbs are in a chunk of foam that is inserted into one of the empty spaces in the fuse/relay box. I don't feel the need to carry a spare headlight bulb since I have two 50W halogen driving lights that are on all the time. If I didn't have the driving lights, I would probably figure out a way to carry a spare headlight bulb.