|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 18:13:06 GMT -5
After my break down on the road a few weeks back I realize I need to put together some emergency tools and such. So I am thinking: What tools do I need for the road and how to contain them?
I went out today and bought a canvas tool roll up holder. Is there something else out there that works well?
|
|
|
|
Post by 90GTVert on Jul 18, 2010 19:08:11 GMT -5
The tool roll is a good idea. I was thinking of getting one of those myself. Another really cheap idea for carrying tools would be the reusable fabric grocery bags. You can pick them up for $1-2 usually and they are plenty sturdy for most roadside type tool kits. You may find a good cheap tool kit with it's own carrying case.
Some things I'd suggest carrying...
-A phillips and flat screwdriver or a screwdriver with interchangeable bits including both.
-A ratchet and metric socket set.
-A spark plug socket that fits your engine and works with your ratchet (20.6mm or 13/16" in your case for the minarelli). Some setups need a wrench that fits the socket or extension for tight spots. Make sure you have whatever it takes to remove the plug.
-Wrenches. You can usually cover most jobs with a ratchet, but it's not a bad idea to carry a few common metric wrenches. At least a 10mm.
-Pliers and/or vice grips.
If you want the ability to get the belt off you would need either a variator holding tool (buzetti makes them for minarellis) or an electric impact that can run from your scooters battery.
Don't forget you need to carry spare parts to really be prepared. A CVT belt is a good idea. Headlight bulbs come in handy. I have had both the high and low beams blow in one trip and that sucks at night. A spark plug is good to have. Not that they go bad too much, but you should have a spare around anyway and it's small so just carry it. I know some folks carry spare CDIs and other ignition parts. A tire repair kit and associated tools may be a good idea, or perhaps a tire repair solution and air to get you home. A tire gauge is nice to have. A lot of this stuff just depends how far you are willing to go before just calling for a ride home.
A couple of things that aren't really tools that could be helpful...
*Cell Phone*
-Change. Enough to make a call just in case your phone doesn't work for any reason or visit an air station to pump up a tire.
-Rain suit. Sometimes it sneaks up on you.
-Oil. Of course you need this for a premixed 2T, but it's not a terrible idea to carry a little for injected 2Ts or even 4Ts if it's known to leak.
-Paper towels. I carry glass cleaner as well in the summer when bugs are bad.
|
|
|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 19:21:22 GMT -5
Some really good ideas there. I have the emergency impact wrench but it is very big. I want to keep the kit small so I can fit my 3/4 helmet in the seat storage along with it. I suppose I would only want the belt if I have a way to change it on the road. In addition to the tools you mention I would add an allen wrench set. I have hex heads on my CVT case and plastic panels require them. I have also bought an aluminum water container that I wrote gasoline on that I have a little spare gas in.
I went to Harbor Freight today and bought their canvas bucket tool holder. Designed to rest on the rim of a plastic bucket, it also lays flat and rolls up. It was $4.50, less than their regular rollup tool holder and a bit smaller too. I think I am going to put in all the tools you mention.
|
|
|
|
Post by 90GTVert on Jul 18, 2010 19:31:11 GMT -5
Ah yes, I forgot the allen wrenches. Good call. If you really want the ability to make emergency repairs, there's always duct tape. It's not a terrible idea to carry a few 6mm nuts/bolts. That should be what the header is held on by and 6mm is the most common on the whole scoot. Maybe a little mechanics wire in case you need to hand an exhaust to get home or something like that. Zip ties maybe. The more I think about it, it might be best to get a big tool box with wheels and just tow it!  |
|
|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 19:43:31 GMT -5
Yes that is the problem. How to pick and choose to keep it small enough.
On my 4T I was able to change the belt without removing the variator at all. On the Minarelli I am not able to do that. Maybe if the variator holder is a relatively small thing it would be worth buying as belts are something that is very likely to happen when you least want it to...as you know. I have rain pants in my scooter now. I put all the hand tools you mentioned in the roll up. I am able to fit it and my helmet and goggles along with the rain gear and the small spare gas can in the seat storage but it is full.
|
|
|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 19:47:27 GMT -5
Oh and a cable lock.
|
|
|
|
Post by 90GTVert on Jul 18, 2010 19:55:36 GMT -5
Oh yeah, I carry a cable lock any time I know I'll be parking and leaving the scoot. I should carry one all the time I guess. One note about those while we're here... I had a combination cable lock from master lock at first. The thin cable kind where one end unlocks from a pretty standard combination lock. I had to cut it off one day. If you put too much tension on it from wrapping it around a large object or something, apparently it can jam and not unlock. Luckily I was at the hardware store where my father works so I could use big bolt cutters that they use for chain and cable. Now I use a big thick cable with a big keyed lock. No problems with it so far.
|
|
|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 20:16:54 GMT -5
I like a key better anyway. I can put the key on my chain and a spare in my drawer and I am done. Remember a combination number? I can hardly remember my own name let alone something as obtuse as a random number I hardly ever use. I have also had one of those small round combination pull locks jam like that.
I have a set of tire spoons and did change tires on my previous scooter but man, what a pain in the neck thing to do on the road. Is there an emergency way to deal with a flat tire other than removing the tire from the rim? Maybe fix-a-flat or something else?
|
|
jimh
Scoot Enthusiast
Posts: 198
|
Post by jimh on Jul 18, 2010 20:32:59 GMT -5
I like the old vespa wheel setups; easy to change a tire on those. As for a tool kit, I use a john deere nylon bag with zipper to hold all my essential tools and spare nuts, bolts and spark plugs; nestles right in the bottom of the bucket under the seat.
|
|
|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 20:49:55 GMT -5
Here is a photo of what I have put together so far. I need to pick up some extra bolts and maybe some hose and some small hose clamps perhaps. Some zip ties and some binding wire, tape and a rag are also good ideas.  |
|
|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 20:58:53 GMT -5
I like the old vespa wheel setups; easy to change a tire on those. As for a tool kit, I use a john deere nylon bag with zipper to hold all my essential tools and spare nuts, bolts and spark plugs; nestles right in the bottom of the bucket under the seat. I thought about using such a bag but I did not like the idea of metal hitting metal in the bag making noise, though yours will lay very flat I imagine and will conform to the shape of the bottome of the compartment. |
|
|
|
Post by Goosey on Jul 18, 2010 21:05:50 GMT -5
My tool kit,
The zippered bag is from the 1$ store,
Wratchet tool with extention, socket, 8mm,10mm,12mm
Screwdrivers, Phillips and Flat
Spark Plug and remover tool that came with the cheap tools included w/scooter
A couple zip ties
Spare belt
Tire repair kit, though a small can of fix a flat would be a good idea, probably more practical.
I think if I were to go farther from home, more than my work commute, I would take the rainsuit, and pack the impact. And I like the small bottle for gas idea, if it doesn't leak?
|
|
|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 21:06:39 GMT -5
This canvas bucket organizer is pretty good and reasonably priced, but it is still bigger than it needs to be. The tools I have so far easily fit in the one side and the other I am folding over as a flap. I could cut of the one side and actually have two roll ups. I suppose I could have a spare tool set that has more tools in it for a long ride or something.  |
|
|
|
Post by duosport on Jul 18, 2010 21:10:53 GMT -5
Yesterday I half filled the aluminum water bottle with gas and put the lid on and left it laying sideways in the hot Carolina sun all day. The plastic lid has a seal on it that did not erode. No leaks. I feel confident in it, besides I am only half filling the bottle. I think it would be pretty easy to run out of gas.
|
|
|
|
Post by Goosey on Jul 18, 2010 21:25:23 GMT -5
I agree. The floats tend to stick, and the gas guage on my scooter goes from full to empty without much in between. I had saved an oil bottle for that reason, but I think your aluminum bottle is much better. Seals well, and can take the pressure of expansion.
|
|
