George,
Below is a post and pics from another tool thread. Some good basic starting
points for you. Good luck.
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Tools are the most important thing you will carry besides water and money.
Your machine is your Mother, your salvation, your link to coming home from the brink in one piece. Take care of her...and learn how if you don't know how.
Every tool kit for every bike should be different. Custom built for the bike your
riding. You most definitely need tire repair tools, spare tubes (vital) and should install heavy duty tubes from the off but carrry "normal" high quality tubes with you. HD tubes are very bulky to pack.
You really shoud try out your tools doing basic service on the bike BEFORE you leave home. This should include getting really good at removing tires for
repair. Proper irons are important but what really counts is good technique.
Research this.
Shown are some basic things I take when travelling. The tubeless kit can be disregarded. Make sure you include instant Aluminum in your kit (not shown). Incredible stuff.
A basic socket set is a must, as are proper open end wrenches and allen hex keys for all the fasteners on your bike. Make sure the tools you have allow access to the parts you want to work on. Leatherman and other Multi-tools are crap. Leave at home. I no longer use the Hex set shown, but individual
keys.
Make sure you can pull a spark plug....even though you probably will never have a failed plug. Make sure you run bark busters to save your levers and brake resevoirs in a crash...... and to save broken hands and wrists.
Critical.
Keep bolts on lever assemblies barely tight but use Loc-Tite to ensure bolts won't back out. In a fall the lever will rotate instead of snapping off. Old dirt bikers trick. I've got a million of 'em.
Take care of your chain. Don't run chain lube in the desert or sand. Run it dry.
Only oil lightly at other times, no sticky chain lube. Use Dupont Teflon if available. Keep chain clean clean clean!! And properly adjusted for the load.
A too tight chain can be a disaster.
Mind your battery and bring spare fuses and a VOM meter like the one pictured. Or not. Japanese electrics rarely fail unless the battery gets low.
Once the battery is weak, all other components are STRESSED and will fail
shortly. True for any bike. Start with a BRAND NEW, high quality battery, brand new DID X ring VM chain (no other).
Tires and tire life and wear is also a problem. Better choose wisely here. Do home work. Long wear is key.
Best,
Patrick