Originally Posted by farqhuar (Post 263574)

I wholeheartedy agree Rob. I also have a bad habit of losing things and even though, as Ted says, a cheap product may strip after a couple of uses, so what if you are only ever likely to use it a few times.

I personally find less is more - I have been touring internationally for over 35 years and have NEVER carried tyre levers or the like with me - even crossing the Sahara. I also lost most of my tools in a river crossing in Kenya back in ''78 and ingested sufficient fluids to seize the bike. Believe it or not - and I suspect most of you won't - I managed to remove and tear down the complete motor in my RD350 using only a spark plug spanner, phillips screwdriver, 4mm allen key and a shifting spanner. The only item I couldn't remove was the clutch boss retainer but Yamaha Nairobi obliged on that one. A new set of pistons, rings and a rebore and it was as good as new - and the bike is still running on that same set 31 years later.

On my most recent journeys I have allowed myself the luxury of carrying a small compressor and tyre plugs to fix punctures, but again I'm not sure how necessary they are - you would be amazed how far you can ride on a flat tyre (albeit at slow speed) to get to a repair shop if you need. :)