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what spare parts for touring ?
- Thread starter red rover
- Start date
slybonesjesse
Sport Tourer
I have a front brake lever and clutch lever both. I have been in a spot where I broke a brake lever out in the middle of nowhere. And had to ride a distance with only the rear brake. Then a stroke of luck came my way in the name of Island Bob. Out in the middle of nowhere he had a spare lever. Now I carry both. And down at the shift lever, there is a ball socket of some kind that attaches the lever to the shift shaft. I have heard these can brake. And leave you stuck in one gear. I had not heard of that before until a COG get together were several were talking about it. And one guy says its happened to him twice. Two different connies. So I have one of them too. Spare bulbs for everything. Headlight, brake/running/turn and one for the FF50's too. Some electrical / wiring supplies, fuses beyond whats in the bike already. One of them footpeg bolts from Murph. 2003 Concours, 46K COG #6953 IBA 28004 http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieMain.htm
slybonesjesse
Sport Tourer
Oh yeah, I also have a bicycle tire pump. First aid kit, hand warmers, and a little nylon bag with Carmex, lotion, aspirin, tums, nail clippers, and other assorted items that can come in handly. -- Once at a COG regional rally on a ride a friend got a bee in his helmet and the got stung. Those tweezers in the handy bag ended up being handy to get the stinger out. All small and compact. My cheezy first aid kit, hand warmers, lotion, tums, nylon bag of goodies, flashlight, pen and tire gauge all fit into the right hand glove box on the fairling. 2003 Concours, 46K COG #6953 IBA 28004 http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieMain.htm
Ranger Jim
Sport Tourer
You may want to add a headlight bulb and perhaps an emergency footpeg (I think that's a long 8mm bolt). The most important thing to have is a credit card with a substantial balance and road assistance program (e.g.AMA MoTow).
red rover
Bicycle
added front levers,bulbs, temp foot peg,to my connie travel list. i would like to find the shift pivot ball set up for a spare also; kind of handicapped as i have never seen the bike!!!! i was going to just drive my new bmw to slc and return to ak then it got to looking like a used connie was more reliable 
oh, anyone had a cdi box failure ? thanks for the help. slybones your site is incredible and very helpful. just checked ron ayers microfiche looks like the pivot is part of the shift lever assembly ?
oh, anyone had a cdi box failure ? thanks for the help. slybones your site is incredible and very helpful. just checked ron ayers microfiche looks like the pivot is part of the shift lever assembly ?Carry your COG directory and a 'spare footpeg' bolt. Though, I've been party to one of these discussions before, I believe for Brent Johnson (aka MrPepsi), and an enormous amount of stuff was suggested for the road kit. After the trip was over though, all he ended up having needed was: a 6mm hex key to remove his antlers while he was out touring.
slybonesjesse
Sport Tourer
Though, I've been party to one of these discussions before, I believe for Brent Johnson (aka MrPepsi), and an enormous amount of stuff was suggested for the road kit. After the trip was over though, all he ended up having needed was: a 6mm hex key to remove his antlers while he was out touring. If we all had a crystal ball and could see in advance every problem we will have on a given trip, we could easily adjust what we take for each trip. But since we ( I at least ) dont have a crystal ball, you have to make a choice to be prepared at some level. IMO you should not "do nothing", but at the same time you cannot carry everything. You carry some level of stuff to get you buy the the easy and likely cases. You dont carry for the freak 1 in a million stuff. -- We will each draw our own line in the sand here. Our level of comfort be different for each of us. In the end I see this like buying insurance or wearing gear. I dont wear gear because I want to crash or because I know I am going to crash on that trip. I wear gear because of "what if". 2003 Concours, 46K COG #6953 IBA 28004 http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieMain.htm
Here is the Guy Young "what I carry" list -- Steve Smith, COG #3184 COG Northeast Area Director (somewhere in south central CT)
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
red rover
Bicycle
slybones i like your sentiments about the level of preparedness, and steve thanks for the guy young list. i will probably end up somewhere in between that level and the butt and a gallon of gas route. most of the nonbike specific stuff i already have in my beemer travel kit.never ridden a connie but this help has given me a feel for what is about right, thanks again.
Though, I've been party to one of these discussions before, I believe for Brent Johnson (aka MrPepsi), and an enormous amount of stuff was suggested for the road kit. After the trip was over though, all he ended up having needed was: a 6mm hex key to remove his antlers while he was out touring. Yes Brett, you are correct. But Murphy's law knows if I didn't get my Mo Tow, and all my tools ready and take them with me, something worse would have happened. If you have access to the "Other" forum, here is the thread. http://forum.concours.org/index.php?topic=44497.0 ----------------------- Brent Johnson AMA# 1046574 COG# 8402 SF Bay Area California 1988 Red Concours "Ruby" connie-dot-mrpepsi-dot-com
I used Guy Young's list (that ssmith linked) when I prepared for my first big road trip. It's surprising how creative you can get packing things into nooks and crannies. I won't suggest any more items, since all you really gotta do is customize his list for your own purposes. But I WILL suggest that if you're into packing stuff into smaller boxes or containers, make a list of what's in there so you don't have to empty everything looking for some small thing or another! And listen to slybones on the electrical stuff. So far, except for a speedometer cable, all of my road repairs have been electrical in nature. Mike B / Gig Harbor, WA
Really now, you guys know me better than that! ;p Tools: Combo wrenchs M8 through M17 Flex head 3/8 Drive Mettric sockets M8-M19 M27 1/2 drive socket with 12" braker bar 9" crescent wrench (LH metric of course) #2 Phillips and 5/16" flat head screw driver Stubby of each from above M3 - M12 Allen keys M8 and M12 1/2 drive allen sockets Needlenose pliers Standard pliers 7" Vise Grip Metal File Drift pin Feeler gauges External/Internal Ring clip pliers 6" & 4" 3/8 drive extensions 3/8" ratchet wrench Spark plug socket Razor knife Air gauge Tire patch kit, both standard string and Plug type Mini compressor Extra Schrader valves and stem caps Duct tape Electrical tape Spare Headlamp and drving lamp bulbs 1157 and license plate bulbs Spare faring body fasteners Fuses (assortment) First Aid kit with latex gloves Two flashlights Siphon hose Mini Jumper cables COG membership handbook And several other things that I just can't remember and don't want to pull off the bike to find out. AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 TEAM OREGON MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)
slybonesjesse
Sport Tourer
I was looking over Guys list, and to me some of them items were not "tools and repairs" related in my mind. More like general travel supplies. I take the Cell phone and Visa card on all trips, connie or otherwise. Here is my Connie Camping Checklist. http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieCampChecklist.htm http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieTools.htm ( updated this page to include the latest. even added one or two items after reading 2linby's list ) 2003 Concours, 46K COG #6953 IBA 28004 http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieMain.htm
I can"t believe it!! Not 3 hours after reading about the shifter part breaking,and poo pooing it as never happening mine broke leaving me in I think 3rd gear with 60 miles to go. what ever gear it is is the best one to be stuck in, low enough so I can get moving and I can still do 55 on the freeway, Although it can't be helping my gas milage.
In my opinion the most likely failure is the one you can't fix no matter what you carry!!! Having said that, a flat seems to be the most likely culprit and one of the easiest to fix with a proper plug kit and pump. I've also needed jumper cables once (and didn't have them). Roger ('07 Wee Strom) COG 5903 Virginia Beach, VA
A lot depends on the age/mileage of the bike and the state of maintenance. For example, if your bike is 13 years old and has 150,000 miles on it and the original cooling system hoses, I'd recommend carrying a gallon of coolant and spare hoses if you plan on traversing the American Southwest in July. But, if during the winter you've replaced the hoses, clamps and coolant, had the radiator de-scaled, and properly bled the system, no worries. Leave all that crap home. I also base spare parts on what's readily available, and what I have never needed. I never carry light bulbs because 1157's and H4's are available at just about any hardware store, auto parts store, even truck stop mini-marts. I have never had to remove a spark plug on a trip, so I don't carry spares. By the same token, if your brake pads are starting to look thin, replacements may be hard to find in East Rabbit Hole, WY, so bring some along. Better yet, don't be a cheapskate and replace them NOW. I HAVE had flats, so I put togther a REAL tire plug kit and air source, not one of those cutsey-pie "sport touring" kits. I also bring the tools needed to remove both wheels (which may include fender removal, brake caliper removal, etc), AND, I have practiced this in my driveway at home to be sure the "road tools" do indeed work. I have had electrical issues on the road (chafed wire bundle) as well as helping other riders with their electrical farkles that have gone fritzy, so a small multimeter has been a great help. Best thing to bring: credit card, COG memberhip handbook, cell phone. The Original Rich Reed COG #7 1986 Kawasaki Ninja 1000R 1977 Yamaha XS650 Standard 2004 Little Blue Chevy "Over the hill it's five bucks. Here in Idaho it's a hundred and eighty."
I wasn't suggesting carrying nothing but the directory and the footpeg bolt, I was just adding the directory and re-emphasizing the footpeg bolt. I'll confess my toolbag is pretty heavy. I carry a good compliment of stuff every day. In my case, tools don't do much for me unless I also have my repair manual. I'd think you'd want to make sure you covered tires and battery first and foremost because I think they're the most likely culprits for a sudden stop, hence my carrying of jumper cables and a plug kit at all times. Cell phones are damned handy, until you find yourself in an area w/no coverage. I'll share this though, I've been places where I had no bars for a call, but could still send and receive text messages. So if you find yourself w/o bars, try texting, you may find it saves the day. I think it's the much smaller bandwidth necessary for the text, the voice requires a lot more data moving back and forth. And somebody give Slybones the e-mail for that crystal ball vendor that pops on the forums all the time. OH YEAH, I also want to put in a recommendation for those hats with the LEDs in the bill. I bought one at Kmart on a whim and it's fantastic for tight spaces. It's been great on the bike and for computers.
slybonesjesse
Sport Tourer
The shifter part: http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_107&products_id=275 2003 Concours, 46K COG #6953 IBA 28004 http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieMain.htm
OK, someone elighten me please. What's the deal with the shifter part needing to be a carry-on spare? Has there been a bad batch from Kawasaki lately? I've never had to even touch this on the three Concours and two Ninjas I've owned. Or is this a part that suffers from Dropped Connie Syndrome? Brett? Fred? The Original Rich Reed COG #7 1986 Kawasaki Ninja 1000R 1977 Yamaha XS650 Standard 2004 Little Blue Chevy "Over the hill it's five bucks. Here in Idaho it's a hundred and eighty."
slybonesjesse
Sport Tourer
I dunno about the bad batch stuff. Could be drop syndrome. That would be good to know. -- I had never heard of it either, until a recent COG get together where several others mentioned it. Seemed to me like the 3-4 guys talking about it had heard all about it and I was the odd-man-out so to speak. One guy, COG member I know who does like 25+ K a year on his Connie, says it happened twice to him. Two different Connies. Then you have the post above where member railroad says it just happened to him. Did he drop his bike before that somewhere in the past? That would be intersting to know. In any event, for $35 for a new part and the fact the failure leaves you stuck in a single gear, I can afford it. I would be less tempted if I didnt ride far from home. But I have multiple 1500mi and 2500mi loops planned for this summer. I dont want to be 800mi from home looking for a Kawa dealer. I dont think were finding one of these at the local hadware store. And I dont want to ride home in 3rd. If its a waste of $35 then so be it. Its back to my comment about insurance and different levels of comfort. Not every one will buy and carry this. Thats ok with me. I dont mind. -- For me given what I heard and the thought of it braking 800mi from home was enough for me. 2003 Concours, 46K COG #6953 IBA 28004 http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieMain.htm
I am thinking about the feasibility of including a PDF of the member directory in the Library (members only section) That way we can keep an updated list there for members, most likely there would be one for each area that way you only need to print out the ones you want. Tech Ed. I suggest this thread is mined for good info to add to the new Tech Lib. Hence I gave it a Red Star. Colin Prior Cogmos Administrator Lake Forest Park WA COG#7767
Sorry for not following the thread. No I had not dropped the bike on that side. I had put on Murph's knee saver pegs and had it adjusted out all the way this may have had something to do with it. I moved it one tooth to shorten up the rod when I replaced it. Although my bike has been dropped many times in the past by the po's, I don't think the part or shifter hits when dropped???
The shifter part seems to just be age or stress related. One of our members at the Run With The Wolf rally this past weekend had this failure. Fortunately, he was able to make it to a shop in Dahlonega, GA where they helped him repair it to finish the rally and get back home. The stud (or pivot) just snapped off at the point where it is swaged into the arm. Eddie Sanford, FL 2005 Concours 1969 Triumph Bonneville AMA# 686667 COG# 7073 CDA# 0136 http://picasaweb.google.com/Eddie753