Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Congrats!

 

Ok let the mods begin. First I listed the canopy on offer up and CL , then I ordered a set of wheels and tires. The wheels on the truck have black plastic covers over the stock wheels. I will take pics after the install Friday. Then I ordered a brand new full carpet. The one that’s in there has a hole worn into it where previous owners dug their heal in plus it smells. It came with new weather tech floor mats. I have a set of leather Clazzio covers here for it so with new carpet and seat covers it should smell better. I will steam clean the headliner also. I will get the latest tune for the truck but I have to get another credit for my flash tuner. I also have a soft bed cover and a bed mat ready to install. I need to get some white touch up paint for a few nicks.
Oh man it’s fun to have something to fix up and make mine. It’s like the best drug you can take.

 

I'm just going to get an Add a Circuit and wire them to my lights in the fuse box. I've already got the heated grips running off an Add a Circuit from my Horn so I should probably choose a different one vs stacking them both on the same circuit.

 

Does your dash have the knockout plug for the 12v socket assembly?

 

Nope, I've got a drill and Dremel though!

 

Alright all. What do you carry on your bike to be "prepared" at a minimum?

Spoiler: (my suggestion)
CARRY ELECTRICAL TAPE! If you take away anything from reading below at a bare minimum carry electrical tape!

Was going through the tenere today after her yearly wash n wax taking inventory.

This is my bare minimum no top box or tank bag always on the bike list.

Under seat easily accessible

• 3/4/5 mm allen wrench zip tied to seat (super tenere uses lots of button/cap head allen stuff - 4mm specifically to get side cowling off exposing battery / electrical / fuses and Yamaha tool kit)
• Tire plug kit (full contents here)
• Mini screw driver with + and - ends
• Mini first aid kit (a few bandaids / bandages for general cuts and scrapes, one time use packets of hand sanitizer/ 3in1 antibiotic ointment / alcohol wipe / handy wipe)
• ELECTRICAL TAPE
• 10 8in zip ties
• 3ft USB C charging cable
• Mini flashlight - Olight i3 EOS - 5$ on sale (not visible in pic as it's on the underside of the black plastic tray - it's tiny and stupid bright for it's size)

It's packed but it will get me home in an utter pinch without any catastrophic mechanical failure.

Electrical tape. I literally ALWAYS carry electrical tape when im on a moto, I can't express how versatile it is. I have held bolts in place, fairings in place, boxes shut, rain proofed openings in gear, mounted stuff that lost its hardware, made splints with sticks for broken bones, and used as a tourniquet... IF ANYTHING CARRY SOME ELECTRICAL TAPE.


I think my post is to mainly express. BE PREPARED.

Obviously I have a few more tools / spare nuts n bolts n hardware / fuses under the side cowling but at a minimum be prepared for the day to day possibilities. And 2nd obviously - on long trips away from civilization I bring more supplies (trauma kit, things to keep me warm, water etc).

 

You should wrap a few feet around your plug kit instead of carrying 30yds of it. I have a yard or so of gaff tape wrapped around my jb weld quiksteel tube.

 

I don’t take anything with me. I really don’t go on long trips out of town and always within cell service. I also have AAA if I need it. I mean the R3 isn’t exactly a touring bike lol and the monkey is just an around town mini thumper. Now when I take my bike to a track day that’s a different story.

 

Naw, with how cheap and useful electrical tape is I just carry a whole role. Also putting some around the plug kit would make it bulky in one spot.

Even on my grom which really doesnt leave a 5 mi radius from home, there is a roll of electrical tape, a few tools for some things (screw driver, 8/10/12/14mm wrench from tool kit) under the seat. Hell just the other day I was on the grom running errands, picked up a stick of metal for a project and went.... oof wont fit inside the milk crate. No worries, pulled out electrical tape and a few wraps later, myself and the 4 foot stick of metal were home no issues.

Id say 90% of the time this preparedness helps others who arent.

This stems from the same mindset on doing solid once over on the bikes I ride on the regular because the last thing I want is to have an issue when im trying to enjoy a ride then become stranded. So being prepared proactively and reactively helps to not *knocks on wood* reduce issues on the road, but IF I do have an issue I am prepared for the easily thinkable rather than having to call someone/AAA/tow etc etc.

While yes, lots of us typically ride motos in the same areas that you would take your car and be close to civilization, even then, its good to have some easy to carry supplies to make moto life a bit easier and safer.

 

I carry nothing on the Dyna except a basic tool kit. It never leaves the pavement.
The Versys has a lot more since I end up off the beaten path with it, usually midweek when nobody else is up there.
Basic bike tool kit with a few added allens to fit everything. Electrical tape, zip ties, tube patch kit, still need to get a decent set of spoons to carry...Air compressor, mini bike pump just in case, AAA and AA batteries to power flashlight and gps, usb-C cable, coiled like a spring so it's not a nuisance when riding. I also run the Sahara Moto in the tubes as a preventative measure.
So far all that crap fits under the seat.

 

Off the top of my head I have:

- (with JIS screw bits to replace the Phillips ones)
- Cruz axle wrench (recommended by @BkerChuck )
- 1/4" hex shank sockets from 5mm-13mm
- 14mm hex bit for axle
- Knife
- Pliers
- Rope plug kit
- Stop N Go portable air compressor
- Knipex Pliers Wrench
- Bag with gloves, fuses, zip ties, paper towels, electrical tape)

All fits under my seat. I can remove both front and rear wheels with the tools under my seat.

 

Knock on wood but I have never ever had a break down on a motorcycle. Maybe I am just lucky. Well I did low side once but I was only a mile from home. Someone gave me a ride home and I grabbed my truck came back and loaded it up.

 

pic dump from the trip majority are mine some are my buddies. i cut out a lot of the ones that are of my truck from rollins pass since this area is for bikes lol

 

I always recommend to folks that the easiest way to handle this IMO is to start with the factory tool kit and try to do some basic repairs with it. You'll figure out really quickly how inadequate that set is but there will likely be a few items that are functional. I've replaced all of the factory kit allen wrenches with brand name, long arm ball end pieces. I've ditched the cheap stamped pliers for a set of Vampliers.
https://www.vampiretools.com/shop/p...crew-extraction-wire-cutting-pliers-vt-001-7/
I added a JIS screwdriver to the kit and a Cruz Tools axle wrench after hearing a fellow FJR owners tale of needing to remove a wheel and NOT having the right tools
https://cruztools.com/product/combo-motorcycle-axle-wrenches/
I have an assortment of different zip ties secured to my frame where I can get to them yet they're out of the way. I have a spare tailight bulb and some fuses wrapped in a heavy paper towel in a small plastic box stashed near my tail light under the pillion seat. Motopump tire pump with a Dynaplug tire repair kit all in one bag under the seat. Small flashlight, small first aid kit with some bandaids, ibuprofen, Benadryl, burn cream, and antibiotic ointment in a small tin. It's also not a bad idea to keep some cash on the bike. Even a $10 tucked in with the tool kit can get you gas should you lose your wallet. I have a set of Rok Straps in a heavy duty zip loc bag with 2 pairs of disposable gloves and a shop rag stashed as well.
https://rokstraps.com/pages/rok-moto

 

Work needs some small items picked up that will easily fit an FJR saddlebag. Guess I'm going to volunteer to run. Nothing like getting paid to go riding.

 

Let me know, I'll likely take it.

I was an early adopter on the Ram X mount, Ran it for about 7 years and even had a couple get offs, never lost the phone. All road riding, no trail. But the urban environment, railroad tracks, constructions zones with stripped asphalt, pot holes...Chicago can get rough. I was impressed. Even with that I upgraded to the Quad lock for my bikes, and now the X mount holds them in the car. I've got two phones, and I hate having to move mounts from the bike to the car, so yeah, I may grab that Ram mount, assuming it's the x style.

Quad lock is a great mount. Currently use the anti vibration mount with it, haven't gone the to charger mount...yet. Just ran a USB up near the dash. On my 3 vintage bikes I use the ones that show the battery voltage, what an awesome addition that was, for $12 or whatever it is. My newer naked hooligan bike actually has the voltage on the screen so I just ran the USB's off the battery. works great.

Congrats! I've got a 2013 AC cab with a Soft Top (BesTop in my case) in summer, and a solid tonneau in winter. Perfect rig!

I fully agree on the buzz from getting a vehicle - car or bike - that you know you'll be holding for a while so it gives you permission to go wild on it.

On that AC - anytime DRL mod has been excellent. Get that 7-pin up behind the bumper with a relocator. Mount your phone on the A pillar. so many sensible little improvements to be made. Have at it!

SHare photos of the Clazzio's. My Wet Okole's (thanks @BananaMan !) are showing their age and I've been considering the Clazzio's.

 

With how much use you get out of your rig, I'd say they've held up pretty well! Too bad I never got to use them because of that Bambi and his brother...

 

80K on them and they've been excellent. Just the piping on the bolster edge on the drivers seat from sliding in and out is finally starting to go.

 

Ill get some pics for you. I might have two! But ill just send you all of what I have. I've fully converted to Quadlock in the truck and bike. Vibration mounts in both too.

AC gang ftw! Except mine hasn't hauled a bike in the bed in years..




current

 

It feels like a scavenger hunt lately finding stuff for my 701... the counter shaft seal kit is back ordered but was able to track one down and received it last week.

Now I'm looking for a new ContiAttack SM EVO rear tire and that seems to be back ordered as well. I found one on ebay that's over priced that I might put an offer on.

Should I just pick a different tire instead? The front is still good and I didn't want to run mismatched tires but maybe it's not that big a deal? One of the shops I called recommended the Michelin Power 5 so going to check that out.