Why to carry all the stuff you need when you ride.
- Thread starter Weathergeek
- Start date
What is the point 
of tools if you dont know how to fix most things anyways? Zip ties & duct tape. Ok...maybe a little more then that. 8/10/12 sockets,multi allen tool, an everything tool, JB quick, a lighter, snacks and sometimes a 21 tube. But honestly? I have never changed a tire in my life! I have watched many change them so if I had to I might be able to, but likely I'd pinch a few tubes.
I am always so happy to ride with guys (and gals)
who know how to fix things just in case. I think about all the miles I have racked up riding alone and riding in general without any MAJOR problems on the trail. I've been so damn lucky so far!!
of tools if you dont know how to fix most things anyways? Zip ties & duct tape. Ok...maybe a little more then that. 8/10/12 sockets,multi allen tool, an everything tool, JB quick, a lighter, snacks and sometimes a 21 tube. But honestly? I have never changed a tire in my life! I have watched many change them so if I had to I might be able to, but likely I'd pinch a few tubes.I am always so happy to ride with guys (and gals)
who know how to fix things just in case. I think about all the miles I have racked up riding alone and riding in general without any MAJOR problems on the trail. I've been so damn lucky so far!!
I NOW carry a 21 inch tube, 3 spoons with wrenches for all the nuts to change tires (just for Sun and Diva), tire patch repair kit, CO2 cartridges, small visegrip, soap, ez-towels, JB quick weld, wire, multi tool with allens, sockets, screwdrivers, and knife, shift lever, clutch lever, air gauge, maps and handlebar mounted GPS with all my favorite waypoints.
All of this is carried in rear fender and front fender packs.
Three bottles of water also goes in pack on back fender.
All of this is carried in rear fender and front fender packs.
Three bottles of water also goes in pack on back fender.
Tool carrying data point Spangler 3/5/11.
Rider on a DRZ with the stock Trail Wings (aka death wings) goes down in the sand hills and twists forks in triple clamps pretty good. I whip out the RM 1/4 drive T handle with 12mm socket and it's fixed in short order. A while later in the rocks behind Charlie's Place my engine quits. I smell gas. Look down and gas is coming out the card overflow. First it's a screwdriver to drain the carb. No luck draining and tapping to clear whatever happened. Used a little ratchet and get carb bowl off. Let some gas flow and check the action of the float valve. Found a loose bolt on the countershaft sprocket. OK, all is working as expected. Reassemble and continue.
End result. A great time and no unscheduled bike rescues.
Sun, none of us were born knowing how work on a bike. It's a learning process. I try to learn something every day. I have found that a common reason for not learning to work on mechanical things is fear of making mistakes. I've well past that because I know that I'll make mistakes. I just do my best to be thorough, not have any left over parts, and to properly torque everything.
Rider on a DRZ with the stock Trail Wings (aka death wings) goes down in the sand hills and twists forks in triple clamps pretty good. I whip out the RM 1/4 drive T handle with 12mm socket and it's fixed in short order. A while later in the rocks behind Charlie's Place my engine quits. I smell gas. Look down and gas is coming out the card overflow. First it's a screwdriver to drain the carb. No luck draining and tapping to clear whatever happened. Used a little ratchet and get carb bowl off. Let some gas flow and check the action of the float valve. Found a loose bolt on the countershaft sprocket. OK, all is working as expected. Reassemble and continue.
End result. A great time and no unscheduled bike rescues.
Sun, none of us were born knowing how work on a bike. It's a learning process. I try to learn something every day. I have found that a common reason for not learning to work on mechanical things is fear of making mistakes. I've well past that because I know that I'll make mistakes. I just do my best to be thorough, not have any left over parts, and to properly torque everything.