Yuppie Tool Kit
Harley ToolsDiscuss Yuppie Tool Kit in the Harley Products & Services forums; I am guessing most here have heard the joke about the Yuppie Rider's motorcycle kit?
A cell phone and gold card.
I'm guessing most of the new bikes are getting ...
I am guessing most here have heard the joke about the Yuppie Rider's motorcycle kit?
A cell phone and gold card.
I'm guessing most of the new bikes are getting so good they don't need as much attention or mechanical skills to keep running. And I guess that's a good thing. But the new riders will never have the satisfaction of breaking down on the side of the road after too many pieces of their motorcycle fell off along the way.
Oh, I meant the satisfaction of troubleshooting the cause of no spark in the plugs.
No, that's not it, I meant the issue of a drive chain breaking a hundred miles from the nearest bike shop and no masterlink in sight.
No, that's not it either. Jeez, maybe I ought to ride new bikes more often.
__________________ Buzz Kanter
Editor-in-Chief, American Iron Magazine
They still break. I have played nurse on the side of the road a few times with my 2004 Sporty.
Swapped out rocker box gaskets. Clutch cable busted. Bike would not start.
Ran out of gas.
Last Friday morning my oil light came on on the way to a run. Checked all I could. If I kept it at High RPM the light would go off.
Made my way to St. Paul Harley. Got me in and out fast. Oil switch was bad.
(Gold Card) $11.75 for the Part. $87.00 for the service. That sucked. I caught up with the group and had a great weekend. So it was worth it.
I carry a decent tool kit. Swapped out alot of stock bolts and replaced with like heads so I dont have to carry 50 million different socket sizes. Now if I had a place to put the Manual.....
On a more serious note, for those of us that are still new to all this, what would you all consider the essential beginner's kit for aspiring wrenches like myself... both in the garage and on the bike?
Man, when you included the garage it all depends on how extensive you're going to get with work. For the road I carry enough tools to be able to do most all external repairs. It's amazing to me when I go to a rally and someone is having a problem with a minor thing and I ask if they have a screw driver handy and they say they are not carrying any tools at all. Well, I carry enough in very compact tool packs for most anything that would come up outside of engine tear down. Since I am often a long ways from home, sometimes in the middle of no where, one of the most important securities for me is carrying a tire repair kit. Because I only use tubeless tires and rims I feel confident that a small little thing like a nail in the tire will not strand me. For the small price of the kit I don't leave home without it because you never know when a small thing like a flat will cost you a $200 tow bill. So, I am adding number two to the list as a tire repair kit. ( plugger, CO2 inflater).
Well it can be used...laying your bike on it's side, taking wheel off, and pulling tube to patch. You best be careful and hope that you don't pinch the tube again while reinstalling. Thee beads are pretty tough on these tires using small hand tire tools like that but can be done. Other than that option, I have some friends who carry fix-a-flat but some have claimed not to have any luck with it.
At times for me, like riding west in Arizona before entering California there is a sign that says "Next gas stop 140 miles". It's times like that when the temperature is 120 degrees that I'd trade 10 cell phones AND a gold card for a repair kit LOL This is also a time when a bottle of perrier would fetch a premium price.
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