I recently purchased a used 06 TE610. When I received it there was no tool kit. I have a very good tool bag from Blue Ridge Racing that I carry on my KLR, but after reading how weak the rear subframe is on the 610 I'm hesitant to mount my heavy tool bag back there. I rode this weekend with my kit in a backpack, but the weight just wore me out, and I want it off my person. I'm wanting to put together a basic kit to carry on the 610, so I'd like yalls input on what is needed. I have 3 tire spoons in a fender bag along with tubes and patch kit, and I have the uptite axle nut and Cafe Husky wrench on order. I figure basics would include 8,10,12,13,14mm wrenches and sockets w/breaker, S/plug socket, few asst. allens, and I always carry a Leatherman tool. So, what else should I include for the basics, and what is a must have? Also, where should I store the kit? I see there isn't much room under the seat, maybe I could split my kit up and keep in different places?
No problem carrying your tools back there. For a tail rack toolkit I carry a compressor, irons, spare bolts, nuts, washers, assortment of sockets that are actually needed. 8, 10, 12, 13, 15mm mostly, a combo rear axle wrench/tire iron, stubby adjustable wrench, 6" vise grips, small tube pair of JB weld, 1/4 in drive ratchet and 3 inch extension, first aid kit, Valve core remover tool, spare chain segment and pair of clip type chain links, web tow strap, tie wraps, electrical tape, small roll of duct tape, good quality leatherman type tool, tube patch kit, LED flashlight, chemical light stick, and some bungee straps. Should carry a small chain breaker, on my list. Also MotionPro makes 27mm and 24mm adapters for your tire iron combo axle wrench (or double or single ended axle wrench) to work as a socket wrench handle (non-ratcheting) in either 1/4" or 3/8" drive as I recall. I have the aftermarket 15mm front axle nut so this tire iron/socket wrench+15mm socket combo works for both front and rear. Also I carry a 3/8 to 1/4" adapter so I can use all teh 1/4" sockets I am carrying. The 15mm is 3/8" fo rthe higher force of the axle nut. This all fits in the main compartment of a bicycle rear rack bag strapped to my stock luggage rack. In the 2 side pockets easily fits water bottles, tire irons, food bars, lightweight gloves and more. On the top it has straps and D rings for tying down your extra layers when it warms up, though I use Dirt Bagz mostly for that duty, keeps things less dusty. I do carry a spare front inner tube on a front fender mounted bag though, tubes are a bit bulky t squueeze in with the tool bag. A spare rear tube goes in the Dirt bagz for longer trips. I carry a motion pro small half moon shaped toolkit that is very clever and compact. It has screwdriver tips, handles that double as socket wrench driver, 6,8,10,12 and maybe bigger hex wrench and I stuffed a bead buddy and 15mm socket and latex glove and tie wraps inside. It fits neartly under the seat held in place by the rubber retainer strap. There is not much duplication between the tools except for convenience to not have to remove the seat. I find I use most of these tools, not for my bike, but for supporting fixing other bikes, especially for lost bolts :-). - Mike
Thanks for the info guys. I still think I'm going to put together a smaller kit than I have. That thing is just so heavy. It's much better for longer trips. My bike doesn't have a rear rack, and I don't see any evidence that it ever had one. I really don't want a rack to avoid the temptation of putting anything on it. I've been thinking on this hard today, and think I may get another tube fender pack and sort the tools in different colored organizing sleeves to slide into it. Appreciate the input.
I got a Dirt Bike Gear rear fender bag and a Moose front fender bag. The rear fender bag is great and bolts on to the fender easily. I don't trust the way the Moose bag attaches so I'll be bolting that one down too. Here's a link to the Dirt Bike Gear Bag.http://dirt-bike-gear.com/rear_fender_bags.html
I've got the Moose Tailbag. It's come in very handy for carrying tool bag, OHV maps, camera, GPS etc... It holds quite a bit of stuff for how small looking it is.
Just remember bags in the rear of the bike will take more of a beating than bags up front. I like to carry all my electronic or fragile stuff in my backpack.
Here's mine. I gave up on trying to have a tool kit for each bike. I reasoned that it was better for my buddies, myself, and anyone elses disasters I come across to have a universal tool kit. Mine includes; Small multi bit screw driver. Set of open/box wrenches ( 8mm to 14mm) , full set 1/4" drive sockets set with 6" extension, rachet, and breaker bar. Small tire irons. Spark plug socket with 1/4" adaptor. Honda OEM spark plug socket, Allan wrenches tied together with extra O rings. 1/4" and 3/8" brass rod as drift. Small hammer. Vee jaw vice grips ( these also cut wire ), Cresent brand adjustable 6" spanner because it will open to 25MM and a little more. Tie wire and tie wraps. Little wire brush. The green box is for fishing flies and holds fuses, patch kit, chain links, valve stem tool, extra valve cores, caps, tire change lube, ect. Clear hose for syphon of fuel and dial type air gage. To warp up, the canvas tool wrap came from McMaster Carr. All these tools weigh in at 5 1/2 pounds. This and a one quart fuel bottle that weighs 2 1/2 pounds full goes with every where I go. I carry air pump in my hydro pack. The sub frame on my 2000 model TE610 is rated to carry 15 KG, thats 33 pounds. Here's everything I carried on my first trip to the high passes of Colorado.
