Modern Vespa

Hey all, this falls under personal preference I'm sure but here it goes. For decades I've carried every tool I have ever used on the bike in the glovebox. I know that's a bit much. So my question for discussion is…

What do you think the bare minimum tool kit is?

Cell phone

And credit card & cash. Also 7 & 8mm wrenches

A not so simplistic answer would be how far are you travelling? Round the block or round the world?

What are you going to need for whatever trip you're going on. It's an individual comfort thing....

Figure out what tasks you're willing to perform before you give up and call a friend or AAA to come get you, then pack accordingly.

Personally, I can handle a fouled plug, broken cable, or something like a wheel nut coming loose:
- Spare shift, throttle, and clutch cables w/ pinch nuts
- 7 & 8mm wrenches
- 11mm, 12 or 13mm (depends on wheel), & spark plug sockets
- Socket wrench
- Spare spark plug
- Spare fuse (battery bikes)

Bonus tools Just Because:
- Adjustable crescent
- Phillips & Flathead screwdrivers
- Needle nose pliers

Agree with the others, depends on the ride and what you're willing to fix by the side of the road (blown bulb, snapped cable, flat tire, fouled plug).

For short rides the factory toolkit is hard to beat.

A headlamp also comes in handy.

If you carry spares have the tools to install the spares. Older bikes had a good enough tool kit to perform all the typical maintenance and end-user repairs. It's a good idea to do things like an oil change or clutch cable replacement only using the stock toolkit (preferably not under duress) just to get a feel. Adjust your EDC kit for your riding scenarios as needed.

Your rear axle nut shouldn't just loosen up "all of a sudden", and you're probably not going to do an emergency cruciform change on the way to the market. Keep things in perspective.

The most important tool in your toolbox is a calm and analytical state of mind.

And the aforementioned credit card.



Just my personal opinion.

Visegrips, once used them as a clutch lever when an old lever broke. Rode 100 miles home that way.

A spare clutch or front brake lever will easily fit in the stock tool kit in case of a fall; always had one in mine, and never had to use it. But the vice grips, some electrical tape, a tail and head bulb are good things to have.