On the Bike: Spares & Special Tools

Inspired by a letter in the VMCC magazine, listing the special tools and spare bits the writer carried on his machine, I was inspired to take a look at my own on-bike spares. You all know, from various blog posts that my tool kits align with Ariel's parts books:

• W/NG toolkit
• SQ4 toolkit
• Huntmaster toolkit

However, there are a few items in the kits which are my own additions. The VMCC letter writer listed these items:

1. Wire Cutters
2. Foot pump
3. Plugs plus HT lead
4. Solderless nipples
5. Adjustable spanner
6. Cable ties
7. Spare bulbs
8. Feeler gauges
9. Torch
10. Spare links
11. Plug spanner
12. Cables
13. Small mole grips
14. Various spanners
15. Emery cloth
16. Screwdrivers
17. Engine oil

Now, I have a comprehensive tool kit on both bikes (including a tyre pump), but I keep a little tin box with extra things as well. I have a torch in my jacket pocket at all times. As a civilian bike, the SQ4 has a Colman's mustard tin:

The SQ4 has a set of combination pliers  and a full set of spark plugs in addition to the standard tool kit.

The W/NG has it's Romac puncture repair kit supplemented with a few extra bits: