OSBMWR
Directory
President: Tom
Gill
(401) 225-5700
tomgill@cox.net
Vice President: John
Kelly
(401) 447-6301
jkelly260@msn.com
Secretary:
James Carter
(401)885-2168
osbmwrsecretary@yahoo.com
Treasurer:
Joanne Parillo
jparillo@cox.net
(401) 826-3552
Secretary of
Transportation:
Ken Richmond
bmwchromehead@cox.net
Newsletter:
Webmaster: Web Head
osbmwrsecretary@yahoo.com
Past President
Mark Gallant
2005 – 2007
James Carter
2002 – 2005
Roy Jackson
2000 – 2002
John Kelly
1998 – 2000
Bob Afflick
1993 – 1997
Presidents Message,
|
TOOL KIT UPDATE
by Rumble Wrench
For the first Rumble Wrench article I thought I’d start with my version
of tool kit improvement. It’s obvious that most of the riders reading
this article have BMW’s that come with a pretty substantial tool kit
from the factory, capable of most maintenance, removing wheels, brakes,
spark plugs, and drain plugs. But what about the oil filter, headlight
bulb, and could you do a simple electrical test on the side of the road?
Even if you can’t perform the repairs yourself there may be someone
nearby who can, if they have some simple tools.
First on my list is a set of Allen wrenches, and Torx bits. I prefer the
sets that fold into the handle, they don’t get lost and can be removed
from the handle and be used separately if need be. If you look on the
oilhead final drives you’ll notice that the pivot bolts are 12mm, I
carry one of those in case? A lot of the fairing bolts are Torx. (star
shaped)
Second is a test light or a multi meter, both of which can be bought at
any auto or electronics store for cheap. This is one tool I’ve used on
almost every trip I’ve taken. I make my own test light from a used auto
side marker light socket; it fits inside my sparkplug socket. I make the
leads about six feet long and that’s my spare wire if needed. Also some
sewing needles for probing electrical connectors without putting holes
in the wires.
Next is a small pair of Vise grips, a most indispensable tool for
grabbing rounded bolts, nuts, and screws. They replace the second set of
wrenches, or the third hand you always need. I’ve even used them to
replace a broken off foot peg or a shift or brake lever to get home.
Tools that cut! I brake a hacksaw blade to fit in my tool kit and use my
Vise grips to hold it to cut. Also some single edge razor blades for
stripping wires, tape on harnesses, hoses and they make the best gasket
scraper.
Tire repair! If you do not have a tire plug kit , get one and learn how
to use it. On the side of a busy highway is not the place to learn.
These kits are cheap and can be had at any auto store. The installation
handle can be removed and the Vise grips used for a handle. As far as
inflating the tire i find an old style bicycle pump fits under my gas
tank I have the factory tire repair kit but don’t really trust those co2
cartridges. Has anyone ever used them?
Last but not least would be an assortment of crimp connectors, a couple
of alligator clips, a small roll of electrical tape, a small tube of RTV
gasket maker, a small collection of common nuts and bolts, and some
plastic (zip) ties.
It would be nice to carry a complete set of tools but my rule is it must
fit inside the tool kit. There are limits to the repairs that can be
performed outside the shop, but with a few upgrades to the toolkit and a
little creativity you can usually get home.
Respectfully,
Rumble Wrench
Be sure to put a spare key some where on the bike
