I have just purchased 1966 model, it seems to ride just fine. As a precaution though i would like to make up an emergency road side tool kit, I have some idea of basic requirements etc EG a plug wrench , but not sure what would be sensible spanner sizes would be useful, and any other items.
Hi,
BSA recommended a 'road kit', which was handy when I was little. Now I call recovery these days as its usually inclusive of the insurance. However:
Road kit to:
Change spark plugs
Change lamps
Adjust rear suspension
Remove and refit tyres
Adjust rear chain
Usually the tool roll contained:
Double ended screwdriver blade
Screwdriver handle
Tyre levers
Tommy bar
Plug spanner
Double ended box spanner 1/4 x 5/16" BSF
Double ended ring spanner 1/2 x 9/16" BSF
C spanner
Lucas screwdriver with 0.015 feeler gauge
Tyre valve key
I would take some fuses and lamps as well. Allen keys if needed.
Best wishes.
Good reply!
I would say Breakdown Card is the best thing to take!
Spent lots of time pushing broken down bikes in the 70's - don't think I could face that now!!
1.Leatherman (you do always have one on you anyway don't you?)
2.Mobile phone
3.Recovery membership no and phone no.
(everything else is just ballast)
Cheers for the guide , i agree recovery membership good , but a basic road kit would be useful.
Many thanks
John e
Think what might break, vibrate loose or need adjustment or replacement when you're on the road, and make sure you've got what you need to fix it. Cable ties and duct tape are very useful too. On a side note, in 40 years of riding, I've had two main bearing failures (one Ducati, one Moto Morini), but only one puncture. Free breakdown cover on my insurance (Peter James), has been a massive help, including flying me home from Germany and bringing the bike back a week later.
I carry an oil tanK filler cap - on one occasion someone removed it whilst bike parked and unattended.
I carry a tuppaware container to catch the oil drips when it's parked up. :-\
I carry a complete set of tolls for any job on the bike.
They are in a box on the back of my C15, also handy when working on it.
Includes sticky tape, chain link, rag for oily hands, plastic ties. etc.
Mick
Mick
If you can enough tools to do any job on your C15 and a lot of extras, how do you get your bikes to achieve the speed they do with all that extra weight?
My tools dont weigh that much. perhaps 1/2 stone.
My own weight is 12 stones, but I dont think dead weight affects top speed, but mainly acceleration.
The limit is due to air resistance, and mechanical friction.
If i rode with my body prone on the tank, I guess a higher speed would be possible.
I would need to remove my wintertime windscreen!
Also fitting a one tooth less output sprocket (back to standard 16 tooth) might do it.
But I dont want to rev the engine too high. My engine is doing 6800 rpm at 80 MPH.
High revs are where the main stresses on the engine happen.
Mick
Oh yes, another essential is a spare pair of glasses, if you need them. Mine fell in half in an isolated part of northern Thailand, and if I hadn't had my spare pair with me, I'd have been as stranded as if I'd got a broken crankshaft.
My tool kit weighs a bit over 1/2 stone.
Mick