Motorcycle overlanders need more than the average emergency tool kit. Travelling far and long, under tough conditions, and often far away from competent mechanics and available parts, often means that we will not only experience the most frequently encountered issues, but also those less frequently encountered. It also often means having to be self reliant in dealing with those issues. Further, travelling far and long also means that the different service intervals have to be carried out enroute, and as many of us opt to do this ourselves, we need the tools for the job. For those of us that also ride unreliable bikes, this may translate into a very comprehensive tool kit. I just weighed mine jesterday, and including all the consumables, bolts, nuts, etc., it came close to ten kg (not including spares)!

My question is the following. What are the best way to store your tools? How do you store yours? How do you secure it from theft? Other comments?

Some of my thoughts on this issue:

1. The most frequently used tools should be kept on the outside of the bike or in a separate compartment. Storing your tool kit in your panniers usually means that over time it works its way to the bottom, meaning you have to unpack everything to get to it (on the side of a muddy road in the pooring rain).
2. Tool kit should be divided into several sub kits
   1. A separate pouch/box holding your less frequently used tools such as your multimeter, etc.
   2. A separate pouch/box for your most frequently used tools, such as your spanners, etc.
   3. A separate pouch/box for all your consumables such as electrical wire, tape, glue, patent band, nuts and bolts, etc.
3. All compartments should be waterproof, and if kept on the outside of the bike, also secured from theft.
4. Rolls with pockets, with a place for everything, and everything in its place, is not for me. I'm simply not that tidy. I need something which I can stuff everything into and still have some sort of control.

I am considering using a large piece of soft durable leather for my tools. It needs to be large enough so that I can spread my tools accross it and still have enough material left over on the top and bottom to be able to completely fold the material atleast half way over with a small overlap (to keep water out), and with enough material left over to complete a roll. I would then roll it and compress it with some ties/belts/buckles and secure it to my bike. I'm thinking that when folded out, this large piece of leather will double as an excellent work surface on the ground, to set down parts etc. It would also give greater overview of the tools than tools stuffed into a bag.

Any comments on any of these issues would be greatly appreciated.

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Good topic wheelie!

I'd use cordura nylon instead of leather - more compact, adequately durable, and waterproof - which means that it will protect the tools instead of providing the damp, takes-forever-to-dry environment of leather.

I also DO like pockets - even if a pocket is crammed with 2, 3 or more things - it's easy to spot if something is missing/lost in the dirt, whereas when loose, it's impossible. A large work area created by a large sheet of cordura nylon is excellent though. I use two roll pouches with pockets and a large top flap for a work surface, plus a couple of plastic boxes for bits and pieces that are rarely used, and spares. You don't need a big super fancy multimeter - the one I use is very basic, and is only 75mm x 40 x 8, complete with leads.

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Grant Johnson
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Grant, that is some great advice. I never considered the issues you mentioned of leather, nor the cordura. Also, I think I'll actually make some larger pockets for each category of tools (one forspanners, one for screwdrivers, one for ratchets, one for wrenches, one for sockets, etc.). Then I can mark each pocket with a magic marker with the number of items that belongs there and the tool category (making it easy to count over). When I brake it down, there are not too many tool categories, and not too many within each category.

I guess this is an ok compromise between a separate place for everything and a complete mess?

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I have had some tool rolls made by an upholsterer from remnants of canvas and nylon boat cover material .They work well in so much as each tool has a pocket and I can tell at a glance if something is missing when I come to roll them up again .Also they don't rattle and vibrate the tools .
Plastic welding rod holders can be used to hold tool rolls , they are waterproof and can be fitted anywhere on the bike that you choose .
An alternative would be to use a piece of aluminium electrical conduit [tubing] with threaded or welded end caps and a tab welded on for locking them .

Dodger
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" I'm the only Norton rider in the village "

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Ten Kilograms! What are you carring anyway?

You could keep the stuff you rarely use in the bottom of your luggage. The tools you use all the time can be kept in a more accessible place.

Ten Kilos...

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I know of someone who carries a FULL 3/8" socket set! and a FULL set of spanners WHY? I asked him if ALL the sizes were used on his bike and he had no idea. The standard tool kit gives you a clue. Most bikes only have a few different size fasteners so you only need tools for that size. I do carry a small 1/4" ratchet and a set of sockets I NEED and a set of Allen key sockets that I NEED. Combination spanners in the used sizes complete the main basis of my kit.

Dont carry sockets and spanners in sizes you will never need.

Roger

Good day all, this is my first post here. Although I am not a world traveller.....yet, I have travelled around a bit in North America.

I am always striving to lighten my load, so to speak, so my way of managing my tools is to only take what I really need. First off, I am the only one that works on my bike, an '01 BMW 1150gs, nobody takes care of your stuff like you do. When I service my bike, I use the tools that I carry on the bike. I started with the factory tool kit. As I performed different maintenence procedures, I found that some of the tools in the kit were not satisfactory to me and there were others that I needed from my tool box. Any tool that I used from my tool box was added to my on bike kit. I don't carry a set of anything. I haven't done it yet, but will soon.....safety wire & locktite most bolts and nuts, this way I won't need to carry spare fastners. I believe that an ounce of prevention is worth pounds of cure, so I am very careful in checking the bike over before a road trip. I make sure that the things that are most critical should I need them are readily accessible, such as my first aid bag, tire repair tools with compressor and light bulbs. I also think it is wise to carry a piece of carpet, about the size of a door mat to kneel on, and a piece of plastic sheet to lay parts, pieces and tools on should I need to make a repair on the road.

Hope this helps, Dennis

Something that works for me that I thought I would share is color, bright colors at that. Spraypaint/paint your tools something like a HOT PINK. I actually use red and yellow, yessss, 2 colors on one tool. (Although most of the color will only be around the groves after a few years)

This is kind of hard to explain, but PLEASE bear with me.

As wheelie said: “Rolls with pockets, with a place for everything, and everything in its place, is not for me.” nor for me.

Grant was so so right saying: “I also DO like pockets - even if a pocket is crammed with 2, 3 or more things - it's easy to spot if something is missing/lost in the dirt, whereas when loose, it's impossible.”

This is where the two colors come in. I do carry my tools in two different bags/rolls/pieces a lot like Rene Cormier does with his tools.

http://www.renedian.com/Part2BikeToolsSpareParts.html

My tools (wrenches) that belong in the red pouch are ¾ red and ¼ yellow. The tools in the other pouch are painted ¾ yellow and ¼ red. This helps me keep it all organized and makes for quick visual double-checking of myself. (aka 5 red and 5 yellow) I also paint all my sockets and mark EVERY tool I have with bright colors. The two colors helps me when I do my idiot check before I leave (The two colors really stick out. I haven’t lost a tool in the sand or leaves yet (knock knock)). It also helps from getting other’s tools mixed up with mine.

Pick this up from big wall climbing where you use sub racks. If you have ever spent time on a wall you know what I am talking about.

Take care
WIESE

I think Tyvek (made by Dupont) has a use here as well. It is tear proof, waterproof, cheap (can pick it up free for a job site, Tvyek is a house wrap), packs up small, but mainly it is VERY WHITE. Everything shows up when using it as a ground cloth. You can use it as a ground cloth under you tent to protect the floor of you tent or even a small tarp (shade or water).

Cool idea Weise, I've managed to lose tools despite doing a sweep of the ground every time I have to get them out on the road.
Matt

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

This chap, does tool rolls and they are tough - I have one for my enfield - excellent.

John Muirden UNBEATENTRACKS Outdoor Gear And Travel Adventures

Stephen

I found an old 7.62 link box from an Army surplus shop, got it cut down and welded a new bottom on it. Fitted a hasp through the opening device and was able to padlock it shut. The box is waterproof, just had to check the new botttom weld was watertight. Used four bolts to bolt it to the bashplate, also waterproofed these where i drilled holes in the ammo can. Sprayed it with hammerite slver paint.

The weight is down low and kept my tools in a tourtech tool roll, which has a magnet stitched into it handy for stopping bolts etc going awol. I also took along a small blue tarp for working on.

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