Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Equipment Reviews
Light weight & unusual tools Light weight & unusual tools
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree19Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 23
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Oct 2013
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
Smile Light weight & unusual tools
In a never ending attempt to reduce that 'lump' of tools in my kit, I would be interested to learn what alternatives to the 'normal tool' you are using.
Alloys/ innovations etc. It can be any tool as long as it one which has been 're-thinked' to maximise versatility (2 in 1 or more etc) and minimise weight.
Picture would be appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Some of the bikes "standard" tools in the tool kit are in fact fairly light and small.

BMW use short length spanners, short in the handle not the nut/bolt area. Lighter in weight and smaller is size.

KTM .. well ... Possible to buy individual toolkit tools? - ADVrider

--------------------
Combination tyre irons with rear axle nut spanner look good. eg Motion Pro 32mm/tire iron
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Oct 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
I use an adjustable spanner instead of spindle, sprocket tools.

However, those spindle tools which double up as tyre levers are nice.

Zen Overland sell them.


I also use a reversible screw driver.

Often I change all the screws and bolts to the same type and size of head for everything that I safely do with. 5-6mm HEX usually. That saves the amount of tools you need to carry in the first place.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Oct 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia
Posts: 241
Thinking of tools...
I started with over 4kg of tools, now down to 1.5kg. One major part of that was buying a Motion Pro kit and adding the Allen bits not in the original kit. adventure spec tools motion protrail tool

Part of the innovation of lightweight tools is around the thinking about tools. What do you really need? REALLY?

I run tubeless tyres so just carry tyre plugs and a small compressor. I need a torque wrench to tighten my wheels correctly so I figure if the wheels must come off it will be in a workshop. Therefore I carry no tyre levers, no torque wrench, no heavy tyre changing gear.

I looked at the recommended kit for my bike, then eliminated any tools that had less than three uses, and those few single-sized nuts and bolts were replaced with more standard heads/sizes.

I also worked on the bike with the remaining tools and considered what my skills and tools could realistically do on the side of the road (e.g. change filters, remove plugs, undo covers). Once again I removed tools from the kit.

Finally I removed any tools left that were doubled up, used a lightweight tyre pressure gauge in place of my heavy one, and even used lighter-weight bags for carrying the tools.

It's still a work in progress!!

PN
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Oct 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia
Posts: 241
Howabout some pics!
Old Toolkit
Light weight & unusual tools-events-5243.jpg


New Toolkit
Light weight & unusual tools-events-6029.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 22
Although expensive at around £50. The MotionPro trail kit is by far the best investment I've made for use on my bike. I added an extra allen bit and an extra socket and I've used it more times than I can remember. I do need to replace my spanners with an adjustable one though.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Oct 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulNomad View Post
Old Toolkit
Attachment 10722


New Toolkit
Attachment 10723
I'd say ditch your oil filter tool unless your filter is in a ridiculous 'hard to reach' place.

You can remove them by drifting them off with a screw driver etc. Or pierce the very thin skin with a screw driver. That's only if they were put on too tight. You can often remove them with two hands and a cloth.

Putting them on is easy by hand. They aren't meant to be on tight. 10 NM.


And c-spanner ?? Do you adjust your rear shock during a trip ???
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
PITA - I'd keep the filter tool - light and small and saves a lot of hassle. Same goes for C-spanner which can double up for head bearing adjustment/disassembly in some bikes.... agree there are multiple bodges to get around tools like this, but just how minimalist one wants to be varies from rider to rider....

IMHO.


Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
I'd say ditch your oil filter tool unless your filter is in a ridiculous 'hard to reach' place.

You can remove them by drifting them off with a screw driver etc. Or pierce the very thin skin with a screw driver. That's only if they were put on too tight. You can often remove them with two hands and a cloth.

Putting them on is easy by hand. They aren't meant to be on tight. 10 NM.


And c-spanner ?? Do you adjust your rear shock during a trip ???
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 29 Oct 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
I've got three full size roller cabinets full of thousands of pounds worth of tools and now I have to go out and spend another £50 on this Motion Pro kit because I'm now jealous of lightweight tools.

You bunch of *&%£$*~*


Still, the tool kit on my last trip weighed more than all of my camping gear combined so I think I need to invest..

These are all available from Zen Overland.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 29 Oct 2013
lynch180's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Ireland.
Posts: 112
+1 on the above comment
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Oct 2013
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
Talking
You just need the 'bear necessities" la la la la la!
p.s Ted , the tools in top of my 2 pics come from Oz not zen overland.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 29 Oct 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
You just need the 'bear necessities" la la la la la!
p.s Ted , the tools in top of my 2 pics come from Oz.
You'll feel guilty when I get eaten by a Siberian Grisly...
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 29 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Those OZ products

Terra-x products - Off Road Motorcycle Tools and Products

No connection.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 30 Oct 2013
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
The Terra X chain tool is a really good bit of kit - not cheap, but good quality normally isn't...

Bertrand, which brand are those lightweight tyre levers?, they look very well designed, how is the profile for changing tube tyres, any pinching?

Ive got a pair of the Motion Pro levers with 19mm and 24mm ring spanner ends for front and rear spindle nuts, but the profile is no good, too much of a 'spoon' and too easy to push the lever in too far and pinch a tube.

Im always trying to shave weight off my gear where possible, good thread.
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 30 Oct 2013
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
Smile
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gipper View Post
The Terra X chain tool is a really good bit of kit - not cheap, but good quality normally isn't...

Bertrand, which brand are those lightweight tyre levers?, they look very well designed, how is the profile for changing tube tyres, any pinching?

Ive got a pair of the Motion Pro levers with 19mm and 24mm ring spanner ends for front and rear spindle nuts, but the profile is no good, too much of a 'spoon' and too easy to push the lever in too far and pinch a tube.

Im always trying to shave weight off my gear where possible, good thread.
Hello Grif
tyre levers are good- that tiny lip does a great job of lifting but I also have one special Michelin Moto lever not in pics above who's the Daddy!
That one has a cylinder of steel welded below the lever thereby helping the rolling motion when levering the tyre off the rim.

I have only done one tyre change in the comfort of my garage so far to test them out so it would be wrong to say they can't pinch! IMHO, you can always catch a tube whatever you use.
The Motion Pro levers assist as well- My 140 Heidenau K60 are a real *&! to come off the rim but then the tyre was cold-

TIP!
Levers also come from Terra-X but hurry as he told me when stock ends he is not making any more so... chop chop!!

I'll update with new pics shortly as my tool bag is forever changing!
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 23

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
BMW-F800GS -adventure Snakeboy BMW Tech 71 19 May 2015 19:29
Travelling Light? pete3 Camping Equipment and all Clothing 6 14 Apr 2013 22:21
kle500a1 oil pressure light wildmetal Kawasaki Tech 2 4 Apr 2012 15:33

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:07.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top