Tool Kit Megathread

[bryanchurch06]

Funny you mention that. At one point someone uploaded them and I saved them.

Your going to love those burgers and the pie is awesome

 

[dmonkey]

Here is an update to my touring tool kit, and what I carried on my coast-to-coast ride. Links to item sources are mostly to the manufacturer and the same item can likely be found elsewhere. For buying tools from Tekton (or most brands) it is sometimes cheaper to buy a larger set of tools that include what you need, and then set aside the extra items. You can then buy items that weren't in the set à la carte.

An itemized list can be found in this spreadsheet, it was over the character limit for posting as a comment. Note that there are three sheets in the spreadsheet.

Honda Trail 125 CT125 Tool Kit - Google Drive

docs.google.com

Tool kit loaded in Honda side box.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Most pleasing is to see "frequency of use: low" on the spare inner tube.

 

[Fishwishin]

Here is what I am running for tools right now. Currently my kit includes no tire tools, something I will change in the future.

Tool list:
19mm box wrench
17mm box wrench
14mm box wrench
12mm box wrench x2
10mm box wrench x2
8mm box wrench
10mm Allen wrench (I thought I saw this as part of a kit suggestion, but now I think I just confused it with a 10mm box wrench)
4.5mm Allen wrench
4mm Allen wrench x2
3mm Allen wrench
Dykes
Needle nose pliers
Spark plug wrench
Phillips/flat screwdrivers
Box cutters
Gun cleaning brush
Adjustable wrench
Vise grips
Spare plug
Charging cable for phone
Charging cable for my TPMS device

 

[dmonkey]

I like that tool roll.

10mm Allen wrench (I thought I saw this as part of a kit suggestion, but now I think I just confused it with a 10mm box wrench)

If it's the same size on the 2023 as it was on the 2021-2022 then the 10mm Allen wrench will fit this plug on the left side crankcase cover:

(Parts diagram is for 2020-2022 model years)
With the plug removed you can access the flywheel nut to turn the engine over to top dead center for checking valve clearances.
Not sure if there are other 10mm allen fasteners on the bike, that's the only one I recall encountering so far.

 

[Fishwishin]

I like that tool roll.

If it's the same size on the 2023 as it was on the 2021-2022 then the 10mm Allen wrench will fit this plug on the left side crankcase cover:

That is the ticket sir! Same set up on the ‘23’s. Thank you for guiding me to it!

 

[AZ7000']

View attachment 7962
Here is what I am running for tools right now. Currently my kit includes no tire tools, something I will change in the future.

Tool list:
19mm box wrench
17mm box wrench
14mm box wrench
12mm box wrench x2
10mm box wrench x2
8mm box wrench
10mm Allen wrench (I thought I saw this as part of a kit suggestion, but now I think I just confused it with a 10mm box wrench)
4.5mm Allen wrench
4mm Allen wrench x2
3mm Allen wrench
Dykes
Needle nose pliers
Spark plug wrench
Phillips/flat screwdrivers
Box cutters
Gun cleaning brush
Adjustable wrench
Vise grips
Spare plug
Charging cable for phone
Charging cable for my TPMS deviceView attachment 7963View attachment 7964

Dang! I don’t carry that much riding my dirt bike to Cabo!

 

[m in sc]

You never know when you might need to rebuild a Buick or an old Massey-Furgeson on the trail as well.

I've doen some really long trips on old touring bikes and brought less as well, pre cell phone times too and never got stuck. what the hell are you guys doing out there?

 

[dmonkey]

For mine it's a portable workshop. Other than a few specialty tools it's everything I use to work on the bike. Then it doesn't matter where the bike is at, I have the tools necessary to do most maintenance items and make changes to accessories on the bike. Definitely overkill for around town riding or out and back, though it's still convenient to have those tools at hand just working on the bike at home.

I would say a minimum viable tool set for "touring" on the trail would consist of everything you need for chain maintenance. Beyond that it's a matter of the bike having been maintained, Honda reliability, and your luck and risk management for avoiding flats. There was a running joke on my coast-to-coast ride where other crew members and riders never saw me working on the Honda Trail so when they asked about it I showed them a gag tool box.



In reality I was regularly doing chain maintenance, topping off the oil, and airing up the tires.

 

[TheADVSource]

ok, this may show my ignorance which I will admit is high mechanically.... Are you carrying more tools than you would know what to do with on the trail? With having the tools, if you don't have the correct part to remedy the problem, is it all for loss anyway?

Are you carrying more tools in case someone who knows what to do comes along?

Just a question I have always wondered on the carrying tool scenario. Ive I can accomplish the repair roadside, ok game on. But if I cant and need a part anyway, then I can grab the corresponding tool alongside it.

This theory does not apply to tire repair obviously.

 

[Cpd419]

I based mine off @SomeGuyRides's kit from his riding the TAT experience. He has his gear list here: https://tinyurl.com/2c4w3k5u. DaBinChe also has a pretty similar toolkit for the C125 Supercub located here. My needs aren't the same as theirs and they're tuned appropriately.

I have added my tools list here [Google Sheets]; you may need to switch tabs at the bottom to get the actual tool list. I'm still updating it slightly; the sheets list will be the most up to date (and I'll come back and eventually fix this one)

Purpose	Tool	Brand	Where to buy it	At home/On the bike	Notes
Brakes	2.0x15 cotter pin	Any	Any hardware store	Both	Used on rear brake. Official Honda is 2.0x15 and replace every time, but definitely cheaper from a hardware store
Chain	Chain Breaker	Any 428 Chain breaker	Any motorcycling store	At home
Chain	Spare Master Links	Any	Any motorcycling store	On the bike	Old is as good as new in a pinch; I have a tendency to save my old master links and put them in my toolkit when I change my chains same-for-same.
Drop sheet	Duck MAX Strength Heavy Duty Insulating Film Window Kit	Duck	Amazon, Home Depot	On the bike	Backpacker trick: Ultralight ground sheets for sleeping are basically these, but 10x the cost. For sleeping on in a pinch, as a tool drop sheet or quick waterproof cover. Cut to size.
Feeler Gauges	Feeler Gauges	Generic	Automotive stores	At home	Valve adjustments
Flashlight	Mantis Workman's Light	Mantis	Amazon	Both	Workman's light with a magnetic base and a rotating mount. The magnetic part is useful as a 3rd hand for grabbing dropped bolts too.
Fuse Puller	Fuse Puller	Honda	Came with the bike	On the bike
Misc	Various Zip Ties	Generic	Any hardware store	On the bike	The bulks in multiple sizes give you lots of options and are worth it. I also get the 500 lb ones in bulk.
Misc	Wolfy Tool Roll	Wolfy	https://wolfmanluggage.com/products/wolfy-tool-roll	On the bike	Hold tools. Recommended by SomeGuyRides. I have several tool rolls and this one is definitely the nicest. A gift to myself.
Nuts, bolts and screws	Generic Metric Socket Set	Generic	Any hardware store	At home	A gift from my neighbor. Apparenly came out of a Datsun. Contains all the metric stuff ones.
Nuts, bolts and screws	Loctite	Loctite	Any hardware store	Both	Securing bolts
Nuts, bolts and screws	Park Tool AWS-11 hex wrench	Park Tool	Walmart, bicycle supply stores	On the bike	Apparently you only need the 3mm, 4mm and 10mm to do the servicing on the bike.
Nuts, bolts and screws	Pittsburgh 9 pc Combination Wrench Set	Pittsburg	Harbor Freight	Both	$9. It contains every metric wrench SomeGuyRides used on the TAT, was affordable, and came as a set. I have no idea of whether I would recommend this yet.
Nuts, bolts and screws	Screwdriver	Honda	Came with the bike	On the bike
Nuts, bolts and screws	VESSEL BALL GRIP 1/4" JIS Driver multibit screw driver	Vessel	Amazon	Both	P/N 220W3J1. There's a separate impact driver set I'd also buy for home but I don't have a need for that yet.
Oil	Automotive rag	Any	Anywhere	Both	Blue towels work best here. I have a bulk pack from Costco. This + zip ties (or rubber bands if short term) will stop things rattling.
Oil	Oil Funnel	Cyantor	Amazon	On the bike	Flexible funnel used for oil changes. Not strictly needed but can make life a little easier.
Pliers	Leatherman Squirt PS4	Leatherman	Amazon	On the bike	Contains several basic tools & mini pliers. Have used for several years on my bicycle. Typically used for removing small bits of metal from tires.
Tire inflation	Air Compressor (big)	Any	Almost everywhere	At home	Tire inflation, possibly other things.
Tire inflation	Lezyne Co2 inflator + 2 screw Co2 cartriges	Lezyne	Bicycle stores	On the bike	The bicycle pump is fun, but the Co2 cartridge is faster. WEAR THICK GLOVES WHILE USING IT.
Tire inflation	Pressure gauge	Generic	Almost anywhere	Both	Pencil gauge style.
Tire inflation	Topeak Morph bicycle pump	Topeak	Amazon, Bicycle stores, REI	On the bike	IYKYK this pump is way better than normal hand pumps. All versions will work but the Mountain Morph is better suited to the CT125.
Tire inflation	Valve core remover	Motion Pro	Any online automotive store	Both	I have a Park Tool one already. Great for adding slime, airing up and down tires, subtle revenge on a driver that stole your parking spot, etc.
Tire patching	Tube Patch Kit	ParkTool & generic	Any bicycle store	Both	A combination of glueless & glue patches + an extra glue tube. The glue always dries out.
Tire patching	Tubeless patch kit	Genuine Innovations	Any bicycle or automotive store	Both	Patching the tire itself will be good preventing future flats
Tire removal	MOTION PRO Bead Buddy II	Motion Pro	Any online motorcycle store	At home	I probably won't need this, but it was cheap and I wanted to see if I could make one that you can 3D print.
Tire removal	MOTION PRO Rim Shield II	Motion Pro	Any online motorcycle store	At home	Another "I want to try and duplicate it" but I will definitely use these. I don't like scratching rims.
Tire removal	MOTION PRO Spoon Tire Irons	Motion Pro	Any online motorcycle store	Both	It was a toss up between 3x spoons and the BeadPro™ Tire Bead Breaker set; this was on sale.
Tire removal	Rubber mallet		Any hardware store	At home	Removing the axles

EDIT:
There are three things in my wishlist that aren't above.

• BelRay Super Clean Chain Lube 400ML Spray-On - you can get this from Amazon or Cycle Gear. Cycle gear is WAY cheaper.
• uxcell Universal 9mm Hexagonal Air Valve Adjust Wrench Quick Repair Tool for Motorcycle for valve adjustments. Apparently this makes it WAY easier.
• Spark Plug wrench - I haven't bought one yet.

EDIT 2:
I need to check to see if the above tools list will be able to swap the front sprocket -1/+1T. It was something SomeGuyRides mentioned in his review of Engineer's Pass of wishing he had done that. When I looked up the procedure I think the above toolkit lacks the deep socket required to pull the covering panel off (8mm deep socket?) that the Youtuber mentioned. I have to go to work but that's something I'd add. In addition to this, there's some deep sockets I have to double check would be covered by this list I have when doing valve adjustments at home, to make everything top-dead-center.

Something else I'm thinking about is throwing a small toothbrush in the kit. This bike has a lot of Allen head screws, and to prevent stripping the heads you should always make sure those are clean first. A toothbrush is a good on-the-road solution. I can't remember which bolts they are on my bicycle, but my bicycle has some like that.

This is a tool set up to pack on the bike? Or for the garage? I see the flintstone car falling on its side if you tried to pack that much lol.

 

[SneakyDingo]

This is a tool set up to pack on the bike? Or for the garage? I see the flintstone car falling on its side if you tried to pack that much lol.

For the garage.

 

[mcmd]

This is a "if you know, you know" sort of thing. I am gonna admit, I have never once thought about carrying one of those while bikepacking, but there were a few times I wished I had one. It's either a 20 IQ thing or a 200 IQ thing to have in your bag. You either never use it, or you desperately need it.

A common practice to prevent vandalism, theft, etc. is to remove the... what would you call it - handle? from residential, industrial and sometimes remote area water outlets. Now, for an entrepreneurial thief or maybe just someone who wants a tiny bit of water to drink, you can use a 4 way water key (aka sillcock key) to turn the water back on temporarily. It's good practice to realize the water sometimes has been sitting there a long time, and as such can be contaminated. Let it flush for a bit and then fill the bottles, or be picky about which water source you activate. And as always, leave no trace. At best, the evidence that you were there should dry up fairly quickly.

Also it's 4 ways because the keys to the city aren't all the same size. This gives you the 4 most common ones.

Who knew?

 

[SneakyDingo]

Who knew?

I feel this is very, very selective knowledge with very, very selective application. I desperately needed it when riding through high desert in Central Oregon. Haven't needed it in the nearly-a-decade since though.

 

[dmonkey]

A new addition to my Honda CT125's tool kit is that I thew in a few of those desiccant packs that come with some dry goods, shoes, and electronics. The "forbidden snacks" if you will.
Last year while touring on a different motorcycle my tool bag was in a canvas soft pannier where everything else I put in there went into a dry bag but I neglected to put the tool kit in a dry bag. That resulted in humidity getting to the tools and corroding some of them. I just now realized I've got an ammo box full of those packets because I throw them into just about any container I put in storage, it shouldn't hurt to put some in the motorcycle tool bags. Will see how they do next rain season.

 

[SneakyDingo]

How do you know when to cycle it out?

Some of my regular gear (3D printing filament mostly) needs to be kept very dry, so I have about 10 of these in 2 different sizes. I find I have to cycle them out pretty regularly, even in a vacuum sealed box that's 5% of the size the pack is rated for (that one is opened regularly and then sealed again, but still needs to be swapped out once a month). It changes color so I know when it's wet, but I have no idea how to do it for the regular desiccant packs.

The tools I have outside in a Costco box are generally kept in zip lock bags, same sort of thing as you - desiccant packs get thrown in there with the tools, and periodically those packs get a dehumidifier vacation.

 

[dmonkey]

I figure I have enough that I'll just keep rotating them, disposing of them and replacing them with other ones. I have a few Eva-Dry dehumidifiers that get plugged in to dry, and then swapped into safes. Would be interested in something more reusable like that. How many cycles or how long do those Wiseorb ones last for? The Eva-Drys seem to remain saturated or get "wet" quicker after 2-3 years where they need replacement, in arid Colorado.

 

[SneakyDingo]

They say they're infinitely renewable. I'm not exactly sure if I disagree with that statement but they also don't promise to repeatedly give you the SAME performance. I guess they might get into a situation where they need to be recharged more frequently, but I generally buy them like I buy my Li battery powered motion devices - overkill the range by 5x, and when they degrade by 20% you'll still be well within your usage margins.