I'm looking at doing some traveling on my 83 R100RS. Most of my trips will be 2-3 days, probably no more that 300 miles away from home.
I've just purchased an OEM toolkit as my bike didn't have one when I bought it. My question is what spares should I carry? Sparkplug, clutch cable? What else?
Fuses, tire repair kit including battery powered compressor, zip ties, wire, thread lock, flashlight and vice grips. MOA Anonymous Book.
Float bowl gaskets !
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
A good video to watch. I had just about all this, clutch cable and carb bowl gasket. I was able to also pick up an original tool kit and manual air pump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTxiAbu59ys&list=PL9zc1l5tX2okoh0dip2pn7drfVT0XcGnD&index=23&t=3s
I carry a backup hand pump to my 12 volt mini pump. This is an excellent product.
https://www.motopumps.com/shop/air-shot-2
Thanks for the input. And Eric, great video.
A pocket voltage/continuity tester.
An elec connection scraper/cleaner (tiny wire brush or steel wool:
A piece of wire and elec tape.
Also a fuse or two.
etc…. etc………….
Why float bowl gaskets? Do those fail often?
Why float bowl gaskets? Do those fail often?
Because it's the one gasket you can't make even with a pair of scissors. And, like many riders, there is a high likelihood that you will at some point manipulate the bowl retaining strap with your boot and dislodge the float bowl.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
As I discovered in Croatia! Kicked off and lost the carb float bowl. I “sort of” faked it with the bottom of a plastic water which worked but dribbled a bit. We spent a pleasant week in a campground in Dubrovnik as we waited for MotoBins to come to the rescue. I could use the dribbling /5 to do grocery runs as we waited.
hi I wrote an article for airmail here's a copy
After 30 years with the same bike. An R100gs P/D, Many trips across Europe, North Africa, Iran and up to Alaska. I have a tool kit for travel, which came together from experience. The biggest job on the road has been replacing output seal on a transmission in Iran. I have a lot of mechanical experience from working on my own bike. Some of the parts I carry are very light. If you do not have the experience to work on the bike. Having the parts on hand is half the problem solved. I prefer being self sufficient and I am an avid follower of the 7 Ps
Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance
Then if and when, things go wrong. Stuff is easier to deal with.
Tyres – I carry 4 tyre levers, two large two small and bead pro bead breakers which double has tyre levers as well. I have tubeless tyres. I carry BMW tubeless repair mushrooms, I have used these in Europe many, many times, always worked for me. Although I have only managed to buy them in England. Co2 gas canisters. I have never found a reliable air compressor yet so take your pick?
I carry inner tubes as well. If you need to change tyre then popping the bead with co2 gas canisters or small tyre inflator seams to be imposable for me, far easier to fit a tube.
A friendly warning changing tyres is a skill to be learn and practiced, if it is your first time changing tyre and your doing it at the side of the road or in a campsite your going have a different kind of fun. If you would like to learn, check out Grant Johnsons tyre changing course at Horizonsunlimited meeting at Canwest in Nakusp, BC or check out the website. Then go and practice!
Electrics – I have the normal fuses and length of wire, insulating tape, multimeter and a screwdriver with bulb in the handle and a lead. Useful for tracing power faults. Wiring diagram I have on a USB stick along with booklet from Motorrad Electric.
In a small pelican case I have spare bulbs, tail, indicator, head light, generator warning light and spare spark plug. A spare coil and plug lead are carried in the pannier. A spare rotor is carried in the gas tank compartment along with the special tool to remove the rotor. Various spade connectors, inline connectors, solder connectors which can be heated with a cigarette lighter. A starter relay sits in the gas tank compartment.
Carburetors – spare diaphragms of course, with throttle and choke return springs. I have a tool to clean jets and various o rings and washers
Cables – spare throttle cable and speedo cable are kept in the pannier. Clutch cable is routed along side the operating clutch cable.
Other stuff – Spare springs for rear brake shoes and center stand. Oil radiator bypass connector. Spare clutch and brake levers. Zip ties, para cord and two climbing carabiner, head gasket and o rings. Oil filter, white O ring and shim. Small roll duct tape, small can WD 40, 2 liters of oil
Gearbox - Spare output seal, gearshift return springs, Gearshifter tool which allows you to change to a suitable gear if the return spring breaks (boxer2 valve). I carry a special tool get the output flange off the gearbox. Having the experience to change output seal or return springs helps. Biggest job when traveling was replacing gearbox output seal in Iran.
Tools- BMW basic toolkit plus Leatherman crunch and Leatherman Wave.
The Leatherman Crunch has vice grip pliers, you can also put a screwdriver bit in the handle and get a lot of leverage on a screw or bolt. Leatherman wave has pin-nose pliers. Various screwdriver bits and nut driver bits. Various sockets and a socket to the remove the swinging arm. I have a USB stick with wiring diagram, Motorrad Electric booklet and BMW manual. Everything sits at the bottom of the panniers or in the compartment in the gas tank (I have gs P/D) and the tool tray under the seat.
As I wrote at the beginning I carry more than is necessary, but I try to look after myself. You can aways carry nothing. Ewan and Charlie and Itchy boots seam to do well. I have heard “when things go wrong the adventure starts” For an even more exhaustive list of spares to carry listen to Ken and Carol Duval’s podcast on Adventure Rider Radio July 2020
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