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From: donch@teklabs.UUCP (Don Chitwood)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Toolkit contents query
Message-ID: <3146@teklabs.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Jul-85 19:41:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: teklabs.3146
Posted: Tue Jul 30 19:41:38 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Aug-85 22:29:28 EDT
References: <5800004@hpfclp.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 32

When I am riding my Moto Guzzi 850T, I always have the stock toolkit
with me.  It carries allen wrenches, open end wrenches, spark plug socket,
points feeler gauge,screwdriver, adjustable wrench (more like a pipe wrench
with parallel jaws than a crescent wrench), and a plain set of pliers.
The assortment is good, but the quality is poor.  So, I have replaced the
most commonly used ones (I do my own maintenance and repair) with quality
tools and have been quite satisfied.

In addition, I carry a new set of plugs (pre-gapped for convenience),
a set of points, a tire repair kit, and a couple of Craftsman box-end
wrenches of the most common size on the bike in the event of some
unusual need.

The most valuable thing I carry is an intangible:  the knowledge I've gained
from working on my bike and knowing it intimately.  Several times I've
had something go bad, and I've been able to be my own "expert system" to
solve the problem, even before the machine has rolled to a stop.  Hands-on
experience gives a great feeling of security against failures, especially
when on a long distance tour in remote areas.  I also carry my favorite
workshop manual (Haynes, a british publisher), and a parts book so that
I have the additional benefit of pictorial blowups of parts assemblies
as well as part numbers in the awful event that I need to call a dealer
and wait out a return part delivery.

So, my best advice is to know your machine so that you will know what
are its weak spots and/or the parts you are capable (or willing) to work
on alongside the road.  Then get the tools of high quality to do the job.

Don Chitwood
Imaging Research
Tektronix, Inc.
Beaverton, OR