What's in your toolbag?

[Motovet03]

What are the recommended tools for the toolbag? I'd rather not have to call AAA if and when I'm stranded, especially when all I needed was a wrench. Also, I've seen a few toolbags in pics, but not sure which one fits the best. Any recommendations by name and model?

[Y2K]

Cruz tools makes some nice kits.
I have my factory H-D kit augmented with all sorts of extra stuff but the Electra has room enough for everything and the kitchen sink.
http://www.cruztools.com/products/kitshd.html

[buckanear#007]

i also carry cruz tools and few etras tire plug kit and a first aid kit i have been out west for about ten years now and some times no cell signal and no town for 75 or hundred miles
so i also always have a lil water just in case

[Y2K]

Originally Posted by buckanear#007

i also carry cruz tools and few etras tire plug kit and a first aid kit i have been out west for about ten years now and some times no cell signal and no town for 75 or hundred miles
so i also always have a lil water just in case

Ditto that,there's some long stretches of road out here where you don't want to get stuck.

[wickedblockhead]

i have a toolbag full of spark plug socket and rachet, several differnt sockets, CRESCeNT WRENCH!, screwdrivers, various wrenches, electrical tape, duck tape cut in half, i even half a set of torx and allenheads, two spare plugs and a gapper, a shoprag and some other sh!t i cant think of. all in a tool roll stuffed in my bag. i see cruz tools have alot of tools, but i think they cost too much.

[buckanear#007]

cruz tools are a lil expensive got mine 4 years ago at going out of bussness sale so save a lil oh it you can put together your own cheper and i do carry electric tape and few tywraps too

[Mr H]

Well obviously things are different over here in the uk as most people ride Jap bikes and tools are not required, however, I'll be on the TC soon and it look like I'll need to carry some tools? Why is that, is it vibration, are the bikes unreliable? or is that you guys cover more ground than we do over here in the UK and could be stranded in the middle of nowhere so a few tools are essential? I wasn't planning on carrying any, have I got it wrong?

[dave mickley]

I put over 30k on my sporty and never once had it quit on me. now have 30k on my electra glide and the two times I had a problem a tool kit would not have helped. rode it to a dealer the first time the stator went bad and the second time the stator went bad I was about 35 miles from home - made it to about 5 miles.

[Y2K]

Originally Posted by Mr H

is that you guys cover more ground than we do over here in the UK and could be stranded in the middle of nowhere so a few tools are essential?

That would be my take on it,I'd carry tools on any bike or in any car for that matter.
I carry a tire kit and emergency belt as well,used to carry a chain repair kit before belt drive days.
Also some basic survival stuff,water,food and first aid.
There are places especially out here in the Wild West that are quite remote,more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) between gas stops with little traffic no cell phone service and searing heat.
Standing on the side of the road broke down in the desert on a hot day,temps might be 115 degrees (46.11 celsius/centigrade) or more with the pavement reaching 150 degrees,not someplace you want to be very long.
It can be tough enough just riding for a long stretch out there,same goes for getting up in the mountains where it can be very cold and wet.
It's big country,I once crossed the Rocky Mountains in Colorado heading West from Denver and dropped into southern Utah,well even though it was mid August I ran into snow falling on top of the pass,it was damn cold up there then a couple hours later I was hitting then desert floor and roasting my ass off in triple digit heat.
The bottom line is that after a few years riding this country you learn to be prepared for anything and that means carrying tools etc.

Would you ride out here without tools?
I've racked up 165,000+ miles (265,541+ kilometers) on my 2000 Electra and it's been very reliable but I have had the tool bag open a time or two.











This pic was taken in July!

[Motovet03]

Good points all, but I'm mainly talking about a tool bag for the TC.

Also, since saddlebags would ruin the lines of the bike (IMO), I'm thinking about having a custom bag made for the frame in front of the engine. I'd mount it down low and would be about 12 inches high and stretch between the two frame bars. Does this sound like a good place to put a bag? The only other option is a roll bag above or below the headlamp.