Triumphrat

UJMrider · 06-08-2005, 02:30 AM

This is a follow up to my earlier question about tool kits.

Since my '01 Tbird didn't come with a tool kit, I'll have to put one together myself. What tools are you all finding you need? A full set of metric hex wrenches, I assume, but what size of crescent wrenches (spanners) are you using most commonly? And what other things that might fit into a small roll should I bring?

Second part, this is the first bike I've owned in 20 years with spokes and tubes, so I'm worried about getting a flat on the highway. Do you carry a spare tube and tire irons to change out a tube? I saw some of this "green slime" stuff in the MC store the other day, said it was made for tires with tubes, but I'm skeptical. I didn't think you could repair a tube like that, from the inside. What experience have people had with these systems?

Slinky · 06-08-2005, 03:21 AM

10, 12, 14, 17mm spanners will cover most eventualities. In reality, the only size you will ever need is the one you decide not to pack. :-D

Some Torx bits might be a good idea too.

I have seen some impressive demonstrations of "Ultraseal", a tyre slime- it really seems to work but I have no direct experience of it.

legend21 · 06-08-2005, 07:24 AM

The most difficult to find will be a spark plug wrench, which work on cyl 2 :wink:

For the Hex , 5 /6 /8

[ This message was edited by: legend21 on 2005-06-08 05:26 ]

TexasTri · 06-08-2005, 10:59 AM

Slime or something like it is probably your second best bet, first would be a towing policy. Reason I say this is that in order to change the tubes you have to get the tire off. These bikes did not come with a centerstand. You can buy one, many have, but then you have to be able to break the bead on the tire. That would be a pretty neat roadside miracle.
I am sure it can be done, but I'm not sure I could do it. I have picked up 2 nails since owning my Legend. Was lucky both times in that the tire did not go immediatly flat, I found out the next day. I am thinking about getting them sealed next winter, but don't want to do without for the time it would take to ship them to California right now.

UJMrider · 06-08-2005, 05:31 PM

Fortunately, I have the centerstand on my bike, so a side-of-the-road tube change is possible, provided I had the right tools and, of course, some source of air. Can you break the bead with a set of tire irons?

You know, it occurs to me that a good club activity (maybe in the winter when the weather is too lousy to ride) would be to practice a tire/tube change or other roadside emergency procedures. Something good to know.

[ This message was edited by: UJMrider on 2005-06-08 15:33 ]

TexasTri · 06-09-2005, 09:26 AM

I am sure it has been done, but again I don't think I could do it. When I had to get mine changed I thought I could get the old ones off, but soon realized that it is quite difficult. I did some searches on this forum and found techniques from running over the bead with a car tire to using a pair of 2x4's and a car to lever it or a product bought from Harbour Freight that is made for breaking tire beads. I can only imagine it must have been simpler before they went to a radial tire.
Give me a whole new appreciation for the old timers who had to fix em or walk. And no cell phones to call for help.

MickMaguire · 06-09-2005, 09:38 AM

You can buy fairly prtable bead breakers from good accesory houses. If you dont have a centerstand you are better off carrying a list of bike dealer local to your trip route.

TexasTri, an alternative to sealing woudl be to swap to mag wheels.

benthepaint · 06-09-2005, 01:03 PM

The only and most usefull tool that i need is a MOBILE PHONE,I used to carry all sorts of tools when i was riding old brit bikes but with these modern bikes i have,nt needed to.

Ben
.. :hammer:
:yayyy:

UJMrider · 06-09-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

On 2005-06-09 11:03, benthepaint wrote:
The only and most usefull tool that i need is a MOBILE PHONE,I used to carry all sorts of tools when i was riding old brit bikes but with these modern bikes i have,nt needed to.

Ben
.. :hammer:
:yayyy:

Yeah, right now all I carry is a "Yuppie repair kit", i.e. a cell phone and a credit card. :-D

cafetbird · 06-10-2005, 11:34 AM

That IS the best tool to have. Forget the centerstand, unless you plan to pull the tire off and take it somewhere! I would prefer the roadside assistance and to just take the entire bike.... RAT roadside assistance will haul your bike to the nearest Triumph shop for $25 per year...

Quote:

Yeah, right now all I carry is a "Yuppie repair kit", i.e. a cell phone and a credit card. :-D