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.

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

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Combination tyre irons with rear axle nut spanner look good. eg Motion Pro 32mm/tire iron

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.

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

Howabout some pics!
 

Old Toolkit
Attachment 10722


New Toolkit
Attachment 10723

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.

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. :thumbup1:


And c-spanner ?? Do you adjust your rear shock during a trip ???

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.:D

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 *&%£$*~* :rolleyes:


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. :thumbup1:

+1 on the above comment

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.

You'll feel guilty when I get eaten by a Siberian Grisly...

Those OZ products

Terra-x products - Off Road Motorcycle Tools and Products

No connection.

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!:innocent:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...730_232136.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...730_232303.jpg

This is my set. Not pictured, but always carried: Motion pro tyre lever/spanner that also holds the blue socket adapter in above picture. 2 regular 28mm tyre levers and a Mosquito CO2 hand pump. Rolled in a sheet of thin cloth that I use as my "work bench" while doing road side repairs. Keeps the tools clean and prevents me losing bolts and other parts that I have to remove while working on the bike.

£120 for a flipping chain tool. Are you serious. doh




Who buys that !! Seriously !! :blushing:

Which one? The Terra-X is only $115 which is less than a dollar/ grams. :D

Oh, and they're awesome.

and Ted, those be Ozzie dollars! .... ( did a bear did do your conversion?!) :smiliex:
$105 Oz is approx £62.20
It is a clever bit of engineering, very small, light and it works really well-
Way better than 'bashing a link in with a rock' but perhaps not as macho!! :innocent:

Bertrand..

I don't know how much longer I can BEAR these terrible puns doh


:9898::devil2:

You'll just have to grin and bear it :blushing:..... until such time as you post up the pictures of your Yukon trip :thumbup1:
A promise, after all, is a promise Ted!

Here's a few to wet your whistle......... jeiger



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Hi Bertrand, thanks for the information, I see on the Terra X website they are currently out of stock, I will see if they make any more - I could get rid of a few wrenches with the levers and spanner end set, so hopefully there's enough interest.

Nice pics Ted! thank you- got one of you in the canoe? :Beach:
I love that Norcom ship picture- fabulous! You should start a new thread with those:thumbup1:

Grif- you are welcome- Out of stock may (alas) be permanent- you might want to drop Keith a note as he did say that he calling it a day.

Cheers Bert... Bit off topic but you did ask..

I'm can't share too much. I'm meant to be writing a few articles about the trip but I keep forgetting to get round to it.

One incredible journey though..

One of me in Canoe in one of the only calm places to take it....

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Fabulous and not a .... :blushing: in sight! (close call !)

Bertrand, I have let Keith know I'm interested, we shall see how much interest he gets for another batch.

Aerostich also makes good Titanium tyre levers, but with sockets that slide onto the levers, as opposed to a ring spanner, however the socket sizes are limited:

Aerostich Tar Arn Axle Wrench - Tire Repair Tools - Tire Repair - Tools :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear

Ted, that looks like a great trip, nice photos!

I never did reply Ted, sorry. My screwdriver is a basic handle with reversible flat and Philips head so prefer the oil filter tool. It's not such a difficult place to access but the tool saves a lot of frigging around. I can also use it as a dish to hold nuts/small bolts of other areas I'm dismantling. The third use is a party hat held on by dental floss:smartass:

The c-spanner is for the front shock. The rear has a preload dial and because I travel fairly light with gear, it's set low. I adjust the front to match. When I hit some off-road I lift it right up for max clearance and travel. No other tool will do it. And yes I do adjust suspension regularly as terrain requires.

I haven't found other uses yet but I will eventually. Like I said though I have kept things that I can and will do on the side of the road.

So there are my reasonings!!

PN

Chewing gum.

Very useful for holding things in place while you get things fixed properly - I'm talking about awkward nuts that fall out of sockets and that sort of thing. Tasty too.

Velcro cable ties - a truly excellent invention.

You know the K&N spin on oil filters have a nut on the end so you can use a 17mm ring spanner or some pliers which may already be in your tool kit

http://www.knfilters.com/images/l/KN-164.jpg

Good idea that.....

I might TIG weld nuts onto my spare filters in the future if need be.

However, my current steeds all have internal paper filters. :thumbup1:

I just use a luggage strap to undo the oil filter. Works perfect and is very light weight (0 grams) because its on the luggage anyways :thumbup1: