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Gas_Up_Lets_Go · # 3 22-02-10, 08:55

I've been working on a replacement toolkit for a while (in prep for a short trip in May).

I'm not going to tell you what you need, as I think it's best all round if you figure it out yourself (this in itself is good prep for the trip).

Over the time you have, take your bike apart, little by little and copper slip all the bolts you take out (as you are putting them back in) - this will ensure that you will not suffer from 'stuck' bolts when you are far from a workshop. While you do this make a list of all the tools you use, wherever possible use the same tool, or better still get a tub and put the tools in the tub as you use them, always looking in the tub when you need a tool and only going to your tool box if it's not in the tub.

Clean all your electrical contacts, take them apart, clean with a contact cleaner and re-connect them securly, then grease all around to stop water ingress.

Check every nut and bolt you can and torque as the manual says.

Change the oil & filter,

Remove the spark plug, put it in your spares kit (as you know it works) and replace with a new one.

Clean the air filter, maby replace with a DAN or a foam filter, depends on where you are going and how much cleaning you want to do. Don't knock regular maintenance it gives you a chance to unwind and check the bike over for developing problems.

Consider an oiler, there are many. but think about where you are riding, many people argue that in the sand a dry chain is better and last longer than a well oiled one (sand sticks to the oil to make a lovely grinding paste!). In any case you will need to lubricate it at some time.

Replace the inner-tubes with HD ones, do this yourself as it's not easy learning the skills is the p!$$ing rain in the middle of warinistan, or a goatrack on a cliffside!

Once you have your box of kit, see what you can save on (there are some good tyre-levers with large ring spanners out there, so the same tool removes your wheel and the tyre!) or make, I made a tyre lever out od an old 3/4" extension bar with a hammer head and 3/4 drive on the other end, sadly it's died but the idea was sound (just not my ability to weld Chromevandium steel!)

You will be quite suprised at how little you actually need and can get away with, and all the checking will have you setting off down the road knowing your bike inside and out!