Carrying Tools on your bike ?

For many years I have used a magnetic tank bag for that purpose, but I putting out the bucks for a complete new paint job and don't want any more tank marring.

What do those of you who do carry some small tools do?

I am thinking of a small carrying pouch maybe strapped under the head light between the upper and lower fork yokes, any ideas what and who to buy such from?

I have a tool bag from Fox Creek Leather that straps to the frame down tubes. Works a treat.

Cell phone, credit card, and AAA membership card are the extent of my tool kit.

Seems to work well.

Just make sure you don't block air flow to the head. The exhaust ports are the hottest part.

What's wrong with the l/h side cover. That's where my original tool kit goes, including spare plugs and 1 spare throttle slide. In my saddle bags, when doing a long trip or Rally, I put a tube repair kit, 2 decent tyre levers and bicycle pump. [ oh and some rags, electrical tape and a bit of wire ]. $0 odd years ago, my mother made me a new tool bag like the original, but better.

Dereck

You might like the round tool pouch that I have attached to the seat grab bar. Find these on E-Bay.

I have a tool bag from Fox Creek Leather that straps to the frame down tubes. Works a treat.

Click to expand...

thanks for that recommendation, Brian

I found one on their web site that looks big enough for my spark plug wrench, exhaust nut spanner, and enough little other tools to work out

I use the LH side cover stuffed, and also added the MKIII tool tray under the seat for another bag of tricks.

I find magnetic tanktop bags fine if they don't move or shuffle at all. I have a nice one for light objects only such as gloves ,bandanas ,maps, glasses,wallet ,etc., but no tools or metal things. Metal tools go into the left sidecover. Other things like cables and oil and more tools go into the 2 cloth saddlebags before a trip. My MK111 doesn't appear to have an underseat tool tray when I bought it recently so will look into that for sure. The wallet inside the topbag contains CASH. It also may or may not carry a passport being so close to America. The wallet has a CAA Plus membership card for roadside troubles as well as a VISA card for the same. Lastly a list of Ontario Norton Owners addresses and phone numbers in case of emergency far from home and Walridge contact no. should I be really stuck and need parts delivered.

For many years I carried the tools for my Commando in a small leather roll which lived under the headlight.

Or get a tank ready made for a Tank bag .

I carry a Leatherman, 2 spare plugs with ratchet and socket, length of copper wire, spare bulb, a wood stir stick and that's about it. All fits in the side cover in a Lee Valley tool wrap.

I purchased a tool pouch from Fox Creek Leather and considered mounting this under my headlight. However there just wasn't any room for the tool pouch when the forks are fully compressed. I have enough problem as it is keeping my tachometer and speedometer cables from chafing into the fender. I tried mounting the tool pouch with the supplied straps to the grab rail. I was not happy with the way it turned out because the pouch wasn't very secure. I ended up making aluminum mounting brackets. The brackets work fine but the tool pouch started sagging with the weight of the tools. So I ended up fabricating a couple of steel brackets and riveted them to the inside of the tool pouch. Now I am happy with the end result. However I wish the tool pouch that I purchased had two snap latches instead of just one.

I also have a Mark IIA tool tray (p/n 064173) that mounts under the seat. Basically it is the same as the 850 Mark III tool tray but it does not have a hole cut into the right hand side for the locking seat latch. I use this tray for storing light bulbs, fuses, cable ties, etc. To mount the tool tray you need to move the rectifier and turn signal flasher to the front side of the frame plate as well as the associated wiring. I would also recommend using some Mylar tape on the fender because the tool tray will scuff it.

Right now my motorcycle has a Mark IIA side panel which does not have a tool tray. I have a replacement side panel with a tool tray that I plan on installing in the future. That is when I finally get around to repainting.

Fox Creek Tool Pouch installed


Fabricated Mounting Bracket for the Tool Pouch. The rivets on the side of the tool pouch are for the steel brackets inside the Tool Pouch.


Mark IIA tool tray installed.



Peter Joe

I have also have a pouch attached to the seat grab rail similar to TravelGerry and PeterJoe. I do like PeterJoe's attachment hardware, I'm using tie wraps....

Side panel ('74 MkII) for bare essential tools, then a back pack on longer trips.

Nathan

htown, no worries, tool bag much lower, really just above where the frame goes from vertical to horizontal

I started carrying tools last summer. Hope I didnt jinx myself.
Knapsack on the back of the seat.

After accumulating more tools then would fit in the little tool tray under the seat of 'Pa', my trusty MKIII, my wife made me a tool pouch large enough for what I needed.

I strap the pouch to the front of the battery, out of sight out of mind. I carry a Phillips head screwdriver in the tool tray to undo the left side cover to gain access.

The other things in the tray are my insurance and registration cards, a tire psi gauge and a clean rag.

In the old days I kept a small sack of change for the pay phone in case of breakdown. The problem was the places I usually ride wouldn't have a pay phone for miles and miles and I would end up having to walk to a farmhouse to use their phone.
I now have a cell phone and roadside assistance but still sometimes find myself out of cell tower range.

I haven't used my tool kit on the side of the road for several years(knock knock on wood!)
Ride On
Dave