Purpose
I would like to propose in this article a tool kit to keep handy on a moped to deal with most roadside repairs. This list is based on four assumptions:
- Most problems that occur on a running moped are simple repairs that can be done in about a half hour.
- Emergency or back up transport is not conveniently available
- The public ridicule encountered while walking a broken moped or waiting for a ride is something one would desire to avoid.
- Nobody wants their ride to end due to a broken master link that would take five minutes to change.
The List
These items (with exception of the bicycle pump) were chosen for being individually small so that they will fit in a small space.
Tools
- 10mm wrench (or other appropriate size)
- BIG crescent wrench (for axle nuts, doubles as a hammer/ cager deterrent)
- vice grips
- flathead screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- 2 tire irons
- needle nose pliers
- bicycle pump
- plug wrench
- magazine subscription cards or business cards (keep in wallet and fold off strips for cleaning/ gapping points)
- rag
- paper clip (good for clearing carburetor fuel inlets)
- lighter
- bungees - not the black rubber ones (good for unplanned curb finds AND make great emergency center stand 'springs' as well as saving a loose exhaust)
Spares
- inner tube (Slime is good too, helps prevent sudden blowouts)
- 2 master links (you’ll drop one or part of one in the dirt and lose it)
- tail light bulb (most headlights have both a high and low beam so it has its own backup)
- 4’ wire
- spark plug
- condenser
- fuel filter
- fuel line
- bicycle shifter cable (it can become all kinds of cables in a pinch) + pinch bolts
- electrical tape
- small container of 2 stroke
- bicycle head/tail light (can also be used as a flashlight)
- zip ties
- extra main jet
- 5,6, and 8mm flat and lock washers, nuts
Additional Items (if you have the room)
- socket set (the $8 one at part stores is very compact)
- multimeter
- flywheel puller
- fuel
Additional Items for Rallies and Weekend Rides
You'll fill your saddle bags quick with this stuff, but if you drove 8 hours to attend a rally and have a catastrophic failure you'll be glad you have them.
- Spare Cylinder/Piston (especially you kitted people with an extra stock top end)
- Carburetor
- Any old stock parts that have been replaced with performance upgrades
- H.T. coil
- Points
- Complete engine (hey, if you have a spare, why not?)
- Specialty tools
- Feeler gauges
- Spark Plug thread kit
- Wire Brush
- WD40 & carb spray
- Dremel (cordless is ideal) with extra sanding drums and slicer discs
- As long as you've got the room and you're at a rally all weekend, a buzzbox arc welder with fresh 6013 rods or a Harbor Freight MIG loaded with flux core wire
Other Suggestions Dealing with Roadside Repairs
1. Get to a safe place, preferably out of the way and attention of the general public- Other than the obvious safety reasons, do you really want a bunch of onlookers or comments from the peanut gallery while you try and concentrate?
2. Know your wiring-- This is important because on the roadside is no place to learn a new system. Know what wires are needed for ignition and what outputs on the stator do what. Also find out if your ignition setup will allow the condenser to be installed outside the flywheel by wiring it into the primary coil wire.
3. Know your carb-- This thing has small parts, and is likely to cause a breakdown sooner or later. Know where they go and know what should be in there so you know if you've dropped something.
4. Make safe, appropriate repairs -- Zip ties are not an axle nut. Don't use speaker wire for a brake cable. You get the picture.
5. Don't be a hero -- If the situation does not allow for safe repair, DON'T. This is just common sense. Chain it up and call a ride, find shelter, run like hell, whatever your specific situation calls for.
GOOD LUCK!!
