Trip tool kit

  • Thread starter Thread starter Muttley
  • Start date Start date
M

Muttley

Guest
So I'm planning/hoping to combine my introduction to the Katana fraternity with a 2300k trek. Just wondering what tools people would consider essential for the Katana. Going to have some basics. Maybe a 1/4 drive socket set with scewdriver bits, spanners, pliers. Do people carry spare oil? Do they use special oil, or stuff that you can buy at any servo? Any odd tools that are required? Thanks for all your help so far guys
 
Muttley, my 2 cents for what it's worth, bearing in mind Murphy's law states if you take tools you won't need em and if you don't you will need em ;)

I'd grab a decent 1/2 inch drive ratchet and a 10, 12, 14, 17 and 27mm sockets (27mm for rear axle nut...arrrrr :)). 10 and 17mm combo spanner or two wouldn't go astray.
Good set of pliers/side cutters/phillips screwdriver/roll of sparky tape and a few zippy ties. Spare fuses, couple of bulbs would round it off.
Still going to be a bit of weight in there but depends how much other gear you are taking and how far between towns on your trek. ( as in will you really need much if each town is only 20k's down the road )
( there is one other bit of Kit that someone found to be essential on the SoO 14 run last year but I'll say no more, :):wink: )

As for oil, I wouldn't bother. If you have a quick check every second or so fuel stop you will spot a drop in level, if you drop your oil on the highway there is a good chance that a spare litre isn't going to do it for you. If garage does not have your brand a top up of a good quality oil same/close to your weight (15/40, 20/50 etc) will get you through.

As said mate, my 2 cents, other may/will have better ideas and advice, thats the great thing about this forum.

Cheers
 
Last edited:
Hi Muttley, for a 2,300 km ride you'll be adjusting the chain a couple of times so don't forget to add:

Chain lube - Belray Super Clean chain lube is a very good product and it 100% does not throw off.

12mm ring spanner to use on the chain adjuster lock-off nut, the 12mm socket won't reach it. A cut down 27mm ring spanner for the rear axle and a 100mm long number 2 phillips screw driver to hold the axle while the 27mm spanner does it's work on the other end of the axle.

8mm socket in case you have to remove the sprocket case for some reason.

Toadboy has got it sorted with regards for tools and oil however, if space/weight is an issue a 1/4 or 3/8 drive socket set will do most jobs needed for roadside work, anything bigger and it'll be a workshop anyway.

A small AAA LED type torch is very handy.

For the trip to Townsville if it was me I'd be replacing the engine oil and filter before heading off that way you know whats in it and there will not be an issue with moisture/contaminants burning off from old oil and running low on oil. With new oil and no leaks it would be unlikely you would need to carry any more than 1 litre of oil if it does start to leak from somewhere.

Check the battery fluid level although I'd throw in a new battery before you start the ride unless the seller has the receipt to prove its a new battery in the bike. Having an old battery die in the sticks will not be any fun.

A can of emergency tyre sealer/inflator. (trust me it works and has got me to a town for a new tyre after picking up a nail in the middle of nowhere on the way to The Island)

Unless it's been done in the last few weeks it would be a good idea to lube the throttle and clutch cable, it only takes a few minutes and will be well worth the effort.

Hope the Kat works out for you and you have a safe ride home.

Cheers.
 
Last edited:
my 2 cents is to also include a small roll of tie wire. duct tape and a copy of the service manual, cause if you cant fix it then you can take it to someone who can with the manual. goodluck with the trip
 
You are a good man Dave. To follow your lead we could do the same for the other parts of the trip. We have Canberra, Sydney, NSW Mid Coast, NSW North Coast, Brisbane, Bundy, covered. It's your Call Muttley.

Cheers.
 
Shin-Ken 1074 said:
You are a good man Dave. To follow your lead we could do the same for the other parts of the trip. We have Canberra, Sydney, NSW Mid Coast, NSW North Coast, Brisbane, Bundy, covered. It's your Call Muttley.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
Glen is right Muttley we are all here to help out if needed.

Nige
 
Thanks guys. Lots of good ideas, gives me a good start. Checking it out tomorrow, so I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the offer of support. (sorry for the brevity, on my phone)
 
First leg done with no major issues or incidents. Had a moment right at the start when it seemed to be popping out of gear as I pulled away from a set of lights. As I haven't been able to reproduce the problem in 600ks I'll put it down to bumping the shift lever or not getting it into gear properly. Pretty sure I have an oil leak behind the sprocket cover though. Pull it off in the morning for a look...not even that sore yet, but I have been into the voltaran. Big day tomorrow, 900ish
 
So muttley youve brought the bike n headed off,...epic!
And kinda cool, sing out if you need any help.
 
Glad to hear all is going well Muttley. It may not be the gear selector shaft seal leaking engine oil if the oil is from the sprocket case. Sometimes if there is a build up of chain lube inside the sprocket case when the Kat has been run for a few hours and everything gets nice and hot the chain lube that has built up inside the sprocket case melts and then runs out along the gear selector shaft and out the back of the sprocket case and can look like an engine oil leak. On short rides you won't see any oil from the sprocket case/shaft it takes a few hours of riding, if it's chain lube dripping/leaking from the sprocket case it's no problem.

Cheers.
 
Last edited:
Hey Muttley, I'm based at Saunders Beach, give me a yell if you have any queries when you get back to the Ville, I've got a couple Kats, and would be good to get a Sunday ride happening with some NQ members. Some good mechanics up here who used to race GSX's too, Cheers, Dazz
 
Good work Muttley - new bike and a long ride to get to know her!!! Awesome. 1100 or 1000?

You'll have to post some pics of her when you get her home and give her a scrub up!!!!
 
She's an 1100. Definitely have to organise something Spot. But I'm actually a couple of hours south in proserpine.

Added nearly another 1000ks today. Went good except she spat the baffle out of the exhaust coming into beaudesert. Got that fixed courtesy of the Suzuki deal there. Then the speedo cable snapped coming into tin can bay(are these easy enough to come buy/find?)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom