What Spare Parts to Carry?

[AKBeemer]

My wife and I will be riding from Alaska to the rally in Gillette next summer and back. I'll be on a 07 RT and she'll probably be on a 07 F650. Any advice out there on what spare parts to carry? I'd rate my mechanical ability as 5 or 6 on a scale of 10. I feel able to tackle minor repairs, but not too knowledgeable if things become mechanically complex or electrical. I've already beefed up the tool kit with the basics of wrenches, sockets, torex bits and a tire repair and pump kit. After reading the scary posting about EWS problems I'm thinking taking a sensor might be a good idea. Advice from the mechanically gifted and experienced will be appreciated.

[dlowry]

Most importantly, don't forget the Anonymous book.

[tommcgee]

No matter the vehicle, I always carry spare bulbs, fuses, tire kit, air pump, tools for regular maintenance items, spare oil filter, and lightweight bike cover. And jumper cables -- always.

Before a trip like yours on relatively new bikes, there's not much to worry about. I'd swap tires if they weren't close to perfect, and would probably do the chain on the 650, depending on the expected remaining life. I'd carry that EWS sensor if it doesn't cost too much, or if it's expensive, it would be better if you could carry it and then return it at trip's end.

[sfdave]

Final drive for the RT :laugh

[PAULBACH]

Follow this link (http://www.thecrumb.com/wiki/Master_tool_list)

to the list of all lists. Then just choose what is most appropriate for your kind of riding. Take a close look at Dr. Greg Frazier's list. Dr Frazier has been around the world - solo - several times. :wave

[rkasal]

My wife and I will be riding from Alaska to the rally in Gillette next summer and back. I'll be on a 07 RT and she'll probably be on a 07 F650. Any advice out there on what spare parts to carry? I'd rate my mechanical ability as 5 or 6 on a scale of 10. I feel able to tackle minor repairs, but not too knowledgeable if things become mechanically complex or electrical. I've already beefed up the tool kit with the basics of wrenches, sockets, torex bits and a tire repair and pump kit. After reading the scary posting about EWS problems I'm thinking taking a sensor might be a good idea. Advice from the mechanically gifted and experienced will be appreciated.


Will be paying attention to this one as sometime next year, I'll be riding from Iowa to your great state. Can't wait!

Regards,


Randy Kasal

[PGlaves]

I agree with most of what has been listed. In particular, I would emphasize the need to carry a spare chain for the 650. And the tools needed to break the old chain and install the new chain. Before you leave, if perchance the chain on the F650 has a clip type master link, then get rid of that link and install a link that presses and rivets on. They make the chain more trouble to remove, but virtually eliminate the liklihood that the chain will remove itself. Voni and I BOTH had the clip type master links spit off on our two F650s on the same little trip to Deming, New Mexico from Alpine, Texas - not a long trip. Two different brand chains, installed by different people, at different times, and they pick the same weekend to spit the chains off the bikes.

[swall]

Get some practice with your tire plugging kit. I started a thread on the oilheads forum several months ago under "Stop and Go" tire repair kit. You might take a look at it.

[FredRydr]

A couple of fuel hose clamps. I've used all I had for me, and then for others I ride with!

Fred

[flash412]

I would emphasize the need to carry a spare chain for the 650. [...] Voni and I BOTH had the clip type master links spit off on our two F650s on the same little trip to Deming, New Mexico from Alpine, Texas - not a long trip. Two different brand chains, installed by different people, at different times, and they pick the same weekend to spit the chains off the bikes.Interesting idea, carrying a spare chain. Nobody in the (>10 year old) Chain Gang (http://www.f650.com/forums) has yet to suggest that. Paul, did you remember to pry the sideplate back up against the clip, clean the sideplate with brake cleaner and apply silicon seal on either of those clips? BMW mechanics really don't know jackshaft about chains... or F650s for that matter. That's why most owners join the Chain Gang and do their own maintenance.

That said... yes, I prefer rivet-type links. But carrying a spare chain seems pretty far over the top to me. Lube your chain at every other gas stop with ATF from a squeeze bottle, make sure it is adjusted properly, LOOK for the clip every time you lube it and you'll be just fine. If you DO happen to lose the clip, a paperclip installed with a pair of needlenose pliers makes a dandy substitute.

[PGlaves]

Interesting idea, carrying a spare chain. Nobody in the (>10 year old) Chain Gang (http://www.f650.com/forums) has yet to suggest that. Paul, did you remember to pry the sideplate back up against the clip, clean the sideplate with brake cleaner and apply silicon seal on either of those clips? BMW mechanics really don't know jackshaft about chains... or F650s for that matter. That's why most owners join the Chain Gang and do their own maintenance.

That said... yes, I prefer rivet-type links. But carrying a spare chain seems pretty far over the top to me. Lube your chain at every other gas stop with ATF from a squeeze bottle, make sure it is adjusted properly, LOOK for the clip every time you lube it and you'll be just fine. If you DO happen to lose the clip, a paperclip installed with a pair of needlenose pliers makes a dandy substitute.

Yes. The one on Voni's bike was installed at a Honda dealership in Lawton, Oklahoma on a trip between New Mexico and Tennessee. It had been on the bike about 7,000 miles. The one on my bike - I put on. It had been on just under 6,000 miles. On both bikes the side plates were fully on, the clips seated facing the correct direction, and the clips were both buried in silicone sealant.

Mine came off in El Paso on the way to Deming, NM. I was able to find a replacement master link (my spare was still negligently in Kansas, not with the bike) and get back on the road. Being paranoid I carefully looked at the chain on her bike while we were in Deming. Silicone in place, clip in place. Then on I-10 near Kent, on the way home, hers spit the chain. Chuck Wetzel was with us for both events. None of us believe it could happen - it just did.

For local riding I don't carry a chain. To Alaska - I will carry a chain. We are headed there next year. Tubes for the tires too.

[FredRydr]

You guys know damn well that you could try all day to install a spare chain on your hexhead, and you'd still be there all night.

Fred

[flash412]

Yes. The one on Voni's bike was installed at a Honda dealership in Lawton, Oklahoma on a trip between New Mexico and Tennessee. It had been on the bike about 7,000 miles. The one on my bike - I put on. It had been on just under 6,000 miles. On both bikes the side plates were fully on, the clips seated facing the correct direction, and the clips were both buried in silicone sealant.

Mine came off in El Paso on the way to Deming, NM. I was able to find a replacement master link (my spare was still negligently in Kansas, not with the bike) and get back on the road. Being paranoid I carefully looked at the chain on her bike while we were in Deming. Silicone in place, clip in place. Then on I-10 near Kent, on the way home, hers spit the chain. Chuck Wetzel was with us for both events. None of us believe it could happen - it just did.

For local riding I don't carry a chain. To Alaska - I will carry a chain. We are headed there next year. Tubes for the tires too.Quite the story. Did you pry the side plates back up against the clips after installing the clips? Did you clean the side plates with brake cleaner before applying silly seal, and then let it cure over night?

520 chains are available at any industrial supply house. Granted, they're not so great for drive chains for more than about 1000 miles. 520 o-ring (and x-ring and w-ring...) chains are sold in any motorcycle shop that sells Japanese bikes. Probably sold in any bike shop that sells European bikes, too. Chains are heavy. I have only carried a spare chain twice, both times when I was running experimental TRULY CHEAP JC Whitney chains.

YCMV

"Lubrication is key."

[tommcgee]

I think carrying a chain is over the top. Dunno what the chain life is like on an F650, but I easily get 14k miles out of a 525 chain on my 650 Vstrom.

If I thought I was gonna need a new chain on a long trip, I'd package one up, along with chain tools and sprockets, and give it to someone who could overnight it to me if I needed it. They're just too heavy and take up too much space to carry.

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Motorcycle%20Pics/overloaded.jpg
You want to see overloaded?

[lawman101]

cell phone, koa roadside assistance, credit card and have fun :dance

[PGlaves]

cell phone, koa roadside assistance, credit card and have fun :dance

Now that is funny!

On vast stretches of the road to Alaska a cell phone will not get a signal, and a dispatch from roadside assistance won't be available. Some of the places take credit cards, but the good old boy with the truck that is likely to haul you someplace wants cash. But the fun part is realistic.

[PGlaves]

Quite the story. Did you pry the side plates back up against the clips after installing the clips? Did you clean the side plates with brake cleaner before applying silly seal, and then let it cure over night?

520 chains are available at any industrial supply house. Granted, they're not so great for drive chains for more than about 1000 miles. 520 o-ring (and x-ring and w-ring...) chains are sold in any motorcycle shop that sells Japanese bikes. Probably sold in any bike shop that sells European bikes, too. Chains are heavy. I have only carried a spare chain twice, both times when I was running experimental TRULY CHEAP JC Whitney chains.

YCMV

"Lubrication is key."

Yes - the chains were installed correctly. They stayed on for several thousand miles without mishap. You are free to have all the confidence in the clip-links. In talking to a number of riders of Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and other chain driven bikes, to a person they all told me that clip-type master links were a problem and I should have been using an endless chain or riveted master link.

Sure, both popping off on the same trip was a fluke. But the unreliability of the link appears to be well known among the folks I know who ride chain driven bikes in endurance events like the Iron Butt Rally. In my book, a trip to Alaska is in the same category. You are going to be places where you don't want to be broken down. Or wait several days for your chain to arrive.

Compared to all the tools and other stuff I haul, a box of chain in the bottom of the Jesse Bag is not really a problem for me. It takes less space than the big C clamp I use as a bead breaker. And yes - I haul way too much stuff around most of the time. I admit it. :)

[BLAST54]

That could be Hellen Two Wheels under there trying out some new straps :D

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Motorcycle%20Pics/overloaded.jpg
You want to see overloaded?