Spare parts for long trip

[StanG]

The 09 MOA rally will be my first long trip on a newly restored 82 R65.  As a former scout I embrace the motto "Be Prepared" and would like input on spare parts I should carry.  I am soliciting input on electrical spares on the following thread "My R65 flat quit on me....  On this thread I would appreciate advice on non-electrical parts.  Assume money isn't a limitation, I will sort out what I can afford later.  Currently I have two spare parts a clutch cable and tire tube.

[steve hawkins]

I would take a slightly different stance in so far as I would want to take the least amount of spares with me and 'wing it'.

To that end I would be riding my bike as often as possible to ensure she can be relied upon.  Come rain or shine.  So that you can sort out any niggles before the big trip.

That way I would have more confidence in my machine.  

You can carry 30lbs of spares and not need any of it.  The bit you will need is that bit you left behind

Are your coils good?  Is your charging system good?  Hopefully you are not still running the machine in?  Good tyres, recently serviced? good starter?

In my tool kit I would have Wire, tape, string, fuses, bulbs, perhaps a small bag of useful nut and bolts, etc.  Phone and recovery policy.  No more.

If you have a punture repair kit, make sure you have the tools and the where-with-all to to repair the tyre.

Remember to have at least a couple of 'practice packs' with short rides.

Have a great time.  Lucky fellow!

Steve H

[montmil]

...  I am soliciting input on electrical spares on the following thread "My R65 flat quit on me....  

Yo, StanG -

As the author/victim of the thread, My R65 Flat Quit On Me, permit me to add my two cents worth.

What killed my Sunday ride was a failure of the Hall sensor in the ICU, aka, bean can. No advance warning, all good until... it quit. A cell phone was the only tool that proved worthwhile. If I had not been within thirty miles of home, my credit card would be the next item I would utilize.

I do carry a tool roll (try the search feature for this thread) and it had all I needed to confirm the problem was electrical in nature. Said tool roll resides in the tail piece. That's all I carry; just what will fit in there and the Bob's BMW sourced "Tube Stash" which hides in the frame's backbone.

Gotta agree with Steve. What you don't take is usually what you need. BMWs offer good karma. And good Cajuns all gots karma. Enjoy the ride.

Monte

[drewboid]

Clutch cable and patch kit you have - I would add spark plugs, ignition module and a coil, wiring diagram, wire and wire ties and tape and a 12volt relay, spare light bulbs, voltage tester or a small meter. Flash light and an air pump along with the stock tool kit and tire irons and you should be able to fix most of the common problems.
And - as a last resort: Some (but not all) AAA clubs offer an RV upgrade which will entitle you to towing for your motorcycle.  I haven't used it but the Airheads dAIRectory might come in handy.

I too am an ex-boyscout. Being prepared let me jump out the starting push button on my R75/6 when it went bad - Did a full weekend rally starting the bike by touching two aligator clip cables together!  
YMMV -

[larstorders]

On trips a long way from home spares for older bikes can present a problem. My last big trip I took a spare bean can ignition trigger, a voltage regular and an ecu. All second hand parts that I bought cheap on ebay. They all fit under the tank and now live there permanently and take up no luggage space   really. I happened to have an alternator rotor and stator in the garage which I packed up and left with a friend who could post it on if required. I would've taken a spare diode board but found the one in my shed was faulty. Just fitted new coil so trusted it. Why bother with all that lot? Well, I've had a couple of trips spoiled before for lack of a simple part, even when stuck in a city. If you're in the middle of nowhere maybe don't speak the local language, on your own, could take a while to get mobile again  :-/.
A mate suggested I shouldn't bother about spares just rely on breakdown recovery. I do have breakdown recovery, but its last resort and I don't want to spend my holidays travelling in a breakdown truck.

 Also, I take a length of wire, duct tape, the usual bulbs, fuses, inner tube, puncture outfit. Some device to help get the tyre off the rim (small G cramp and piece of wood) No good at all having a puncture outfit if the **** tyre won't come off the rim. Spare clutch cable runs alongside original. Spare throttle cable. Epoxy glue, super glue (good for fixing torn carb diaphragms etc), length of stainless wire. Spare spark plug and HT lead.
Importantly, tools that have actually been used on the bike so I know they'll do the job.
All this fits in the two underseat bins and I even found space for a couple of relays. Slightly longer than standard tyre levers are  stored up the frame tube instead of the cable lock.

Of course I fully understand that sods law dictates when a breakdown occurs it will involve some component I'm not carrying a spare for   .  I can only hope there'll be another R65 pilot passing by soon, who'll have the needed part stored underneath  his seat.

[trolle]

I do like your optimism, Lars

greetings from a sunny and cold 32F north, no wind

[nhmaf]

I have seen some people at rallies with almost enough spare parts to build another bike !   I am not one of those - I DO see the validity in bringing along some reasonable items like plugs, some wire, fuses, bulb or two, and at least 1 spare tube and patch kit for the tire and tire irons, I doubt if I'll bring along a rotor, or especially a stator, transmission, etc.    A diode board might not be a bad idea, and a spare headlight or starter relay might be good, too. A bit of spare fuel line and some duct tape, definitely.   I also always supplement my toolkit with and adjustable wrench for larger bolts,  long nose pliers, assorted allen keys, feeler gauges and some other things, including my handy-dandy R65.org flashlight !  I've a new (<2 yers old) Dyna brown coil, so I probably won't bring a spare coil.    I do always, always bring a spare key, though, and my BMWMOA Anonymous Book and membership card with breakdown assistance coverage.

[StanG]

Thanks guys, the input is very helpful.  Now I need to decide what I can afford both in dollars and storage space.

If I can make it to the rally between all of us we should be able to fix most anything.