Multitool for inclusion in motorcycle tool roll-Which one? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2013, 10:39:02 am
content: I'm hoping to invest in a multitool at some point. I want something I can carry on my motorcycle and can be used for minor emergency repairs to wiring, loose bolts (hex and socket/allen) etc. I've had a bit of a look at leatherman and swiss army but the choice is bewildering. A good set of wiring tools is a minimum requirement(stripper, narrow nose pliers, screw driver for terminal blocks etc).Or is it better to buy one for wiring and another for my motorbike?Any advice? What's your favourite and why?Thanks.David.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2013, 02:50:31 pm
content: I have a whole collection of swiss army pocket knives and the leatherman and they are all nicely constructed but I think you would be better off on a motorbike getting separate tools for a few reasons.1.) you're in the UK and with current legislation on knives I'm not sure what the position is regarding the locking blade on the leatherman, you may need to carry your tools around to avoid leaving them on the bike. Obviously you're using it as a tool which probably counts as legitimate but it might be best to avoid the hassle. (My leatherman sits in a tool drawer at home, I used to take it on family camping holidays but now I probably wouldn't.)2.) I love the neatness of multi-tools but they are not very convenient, e.g. if you want to use the pliers to hold a nut and an alan key to turn the bolt at the same time you can't do this if they are attached to each other.3.) gripping a multi-tool when using say the screw driver is not as easy/comfortable as using a separate screwdriver especially if you're out in the cold, the leatherman in particular is all metal.4.) weight is not such an issue on a motorbike as on a pedal cycle.The leatherman though does provide a decent pair of pliers which the swiss army ones don't (except perhaps the swiss tool).I'd look to getting a multi-alan key/screw driver tool such as used by racing/mountain bikers and a separate pair of cutters, spanner etc.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 03, 2013, 04:18:52 pm
content: The only tool I ever needed in an "emergency" situation was the one you need to change spark plugs with. Maybe a leatherman for the screws to change a bulb. Could certainly have done without the knife.When things go wrong your best tool is a cell phone to get a friend haul you back to your shop I'd say

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2013, 05:33:59 pm
content: You know the old saying, jack of all trades master of none. That is what the swiss army knife and the leatherman are, best way to get hurt is use the wrong or inadequate tool.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2013, 07:19:48 pm
content: Cheap leatherman clone lives with me always, has come in handy numerous times.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 03:07:47 am
content: Most newer bikes have little compartments for a few tools, i'd grab a small shifter, a small socket set, a pair of big pliers and a roll of duct tape (maybe a big flathead screwdriver); that should take care of most things.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 04:18:14 am
content: I really like the Leatherman tools, except for one bad point. The pivot on the pliers has sufficient play that they almost all have a bad clearance between the wire cutter part so that fine things get folded over instead of cut, and they jaws usually get looser over time.The Gerbers usually have a bolt and nut pivot instead of the rivet style of the Leathermans. The problem is that I don't like the designs of the Gerbers too much but that is just my personal preference.The heaviest duty of the bunch would be the Swiss Army ones. Their problem is that they polish them too much and the flat screwdriver tips are rather rounded off.It is best you just go to a store and try a few in your hand to see what you like. Tools are things of personal preference. You can't go wrong with any of these three brands. If you want to count on the tool on the road, stay away from anything else that is a copy or looks the same as they mostly are crap waiting to let you down.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 04:23:35 pm
content: A lot of bikes come with a basic tool kit as well, or you can buy them from the dealerships. Often there is a specific place for them as well. Normally they are a double headed screwdriver set, a set of adjustable pliers and a spark plug spanner, along with a set of 2-3 spanners that covers most of the bolts in the unit, normally a 10,12,13,14,15,17mmAF set, all in a plastic carry wrap. I always add a rag in there as well, along with a spare fuse or two and a small tub with grease and another with hand cleaner ( or a sachet of hand cleaner wipes) in it.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 07:20:48 pm
content: QuoteIt's illegal unless you can justify one of the "good reason" exceptions. Thankfully the government has pulled back from zero tolerance on this matter but how much hassle you're going to get will depend on circumstances and the discretion of PC Plod.If you lean towards the biker stereotype of long hair and beard you are going to be much more likely to run into trouble than if you look fine, upstanding and thoroughly middle class, however you're also (I suspect) less likely to get trouble than the "youth in hoodie" brigade.I've mostly stopped carrying mine on a day-to-day basis but I don't get overly paranoid about carrying it unless I'm going into a "sensitive" situation (airports etc).

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 09:00:14 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on April 04, 2013, 07:20:48 pmThat depends on whether you agree with one single interpretation of a law which states nothing about safety locks on folding knives.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 10:04:01 pm
content: QuoteFrankly it depends just about sod all on my interpretation of anything.It depends entirely on plod's discretion and the court's interpretation.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2013, 12:06:10 am
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on April 04, 2013, 10:04:01 pmYour interpretation counts just as much as anyone else's.QuotePlod and the courts can fuck right off if they interpret the Criminal Justice Act 1988 Section 139 as saying I can't carry this:http://www.trueutility.com/pocket-tools-store/belt_knife.html

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2013, 04:27:45 am
content: Look into multi tools for bicycles. Those leatherman Gerber victorias are for outdoor nuts. I have them I know. The ones with USB flashdrive wtfff??? Do you want some cheese with that?The bicycle multi tools are designed for bikes, they have the torx/hex keys, but drivers and etc. No knife or saw unless your bike is wedge under a fallen tree, the saw probably no use for such thick trunk. I only ride bicycles, hopefully they will work for motorbikes.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2013, 06:41:58 am
content: Depends on what vintage of bike you've got.For my old 2V ducati you need a plug spanner and something to clean the plug everywhere you go.For my new BMW, the most used tool (have been around Oz on it a few times) is a GS-911 (http://www.hexcode.co.za/) which allows me to interrogate the CAN bus and pull up any fault codes. Other than a basic set of screw drivers,torx drivers, and a emergency puncture kit for remote areas, there's very very little I'm going to be able to do if this bike decides it doesn't want to play ball anymore. Fortunately, BMW roadside assist is only $99 a year and a mobile phone + UHF can get you out of most places that trucks frequent.

author: Balaur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 05, 2013, 07:13:53 am
content: Quote from: nukie on April 05, 2013, 04:27:45 amAs a passionate bicycle rider (and an avid mechanic) I would like to say that those are toys, really. They may work OK for bicycle use, and I would never leave the house without them, but I would not trust them for any kind of action that require a bit of torque or hardness.Even expensive, "quality" sets are made from a soft metal and with dubious finishing. Frankly, it looks to me that they are made for people who think that buying a $5000 bicycle is a good idea.Leatherman and Victorinox stuff are not bad to be honest. I do find the Victorinox champ to quite useful. However, I don't usually pack too many tools with me. While I'm able to fix headgaskets, I will not attempt any serious repairs on the road.Best regards

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2013, 04:11:24 pm
content: I have done a waterpump replacement in a garage. went into the spares shop there, asked for one, which he had in his other branch ( the other garage in town) and it came 5 minutes later with his partner ( who was just closing up). Just then my friend walked in with the old one. We were asked when it broke, said 12km outside town, and were asked when and said 10 minutes ago. We have had experience of Ford repairs, did not have to go and "borrow" a length of fence wire this time. Previous the exhaust broke off on a rock, popped it in the back and drove without it to get to our destination. I always kept a spare ignition module with me in the car when I owned a CVH ford, as they were notoriously unreliable, and prone to fail at some point. Kept it in the little box, along with a small bit of heatsink compound ( not like some mechanics who used silicone sealer...) and a 7AF spanner to undo the 2 small bolts to change it. Took less than 2 minutes when it next died, and then went to the motor spares the next day to get 2 new ones as spares again. They had a MELF diode inside that always died.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2013, 06:13:11 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on April 05, 2013, 04:11:24 pmReminds me a bit of when I was in the UK in 1971.Mate & I bought an old Ford Popular.One Sunday,I got a yearning for some Kentucky Fried Chicken,& drove 70miles to London to get some.Cold,& they served it with chips!------I wasn't used to that at the time.On the way home,the Ford died---- fuel filter problem,but the only tool in the car was a wobbly old shifting spanner which was too small for the "Banjo" connection on the carby.(All my good tools were back in Australia)Walked up the road,to a Service station that was open,told the owner my story,& he rang a towing company.As we waited,& waited for the tow truck,the afternoon inexorably drifted away.After several hours,I went back to wait at the car.Dug through the car again,in case I'd missed something that would fit that carby connection.On an off-chance ,I tried the bottle opener on my key ring.It fit,off came the "Banjo",out come the blocked filter & yes,it was blocked.A few minutes later ,back at the Servo,the owner had managed to get onto the towing company by phone,& was getting fed a bunch of excuses.He replied,with a voice dripping with sarcasm:"Don't worry about it,the customer justdrove his car in!!"He wouldn't take any money for his wasted time,either--really nice bloke!