by Randy (Gadget) Love
Last updated   09/08/2007

From time to time each of us has a need for gadgets. Some to help us out of an emergency, some to make life on a Harley a little bit more comfortable and some just to have ...well , because there just neat gadgets to have!

On this page I'll attempt to find the most necessary, for emergency's, for comfort, and  just nice to have gadgets . I'll include where you can purchase, a link to their web site, pricing and a description of why you might like to carry the item with you. Some items one might like to carry on day trips and others you might like to leave in place of something less bulky for longer trips that require packing only the stuff your going to need .

I'll add items and leave them on the page and only remove them when I find they are no longer available.

There  will be 3 categories

1. Must have/must carry all the time.

2. Makes riding more comfortable. Carry when needed.

3. Don't need to carry ... Just plain Neat . .

Click on picture for link to web site

Tire repair kits
Flats will spoil day trips as well as excursions, best  to keep one or more of these in your saddle bag at all times.

             This hand inflator is ideal for smaller bikes and when extra space is needed for  more several day trips.

The above items are from the J C Whitney Motorcycle catalog.
The CO2 inflator and one of the repair kits will fit even cruiser tail bags

Photos are clickable for their web site and pricing.

This item is from Advanced Safety Devices. I carry one just like it in my saddle bag at all times. It has saved a couple of riders from calling a wrecker.

It is quite small an will fit in a touring saddle bag. In the box it measures about 4x2x3 inches.  It is manufactured for a number of companies under several brand names and can sometimes be found in most auto parts and larger (Wal-Mart, Target) stores. Some come with battery clips. Most newer Harleys come with a battery charger lead  and a matching fitting can be made with a cigarette lighter socket. I'll find the parts and post them here later ...

Photos are clickable for their web site and pricing.

A First Aid Kit

Pictures are examples only no links.

The above can be purchased at Walgreen's and CVS and other outlets. They have many more items that you might consider adding to the kits, such as an allergy tablets and a space blanket and some larger compresses. Or ... you could simply Make your own.

Our "official" club rides are accompanied by a very large first aid kit "everything but kitchen sink type", usually carried by the "sweep" rider.

A tool Kit

Harley makes several size tool kits with tools that will fit the majority of nuts and bolts. However if you want to put together a kit  yourself then these are some of the tools you'll need for the Harley ...
This taken from a Harley tool Kit ...

Allen wrenches: 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32(long), 5/16, 3/8''
long 4way box end: 36mm, 3/4'', 1/4'', 8mm
multi-open end wrenches:
1- 3/8, 7/16, 1/2''
1- 3/8, 1/2, 9/16'', 10mm
double end tube sockets:
1- 2.7 in. long 5/8 X 3/4''
1- 6+/- in. long 14mm X 11/16''
8 in 1 driver w/bits:
#1&2 Phillips
3/16 & 1/4'' slot
Torx- 25, 27, 30 & 40

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Here's a nifty set of box end ratchet wrenches and on each end there are TWO sizes. These come in Metric or Standard and retail for about $30.00 at Advance Auto Parts
Two wrenches take the place of 8 wrenches. A whole lot less to put in your saddle bag. Four wrenches would cover all the major sizes in metric and standard.

Photos are clickable for their web site and pricing.

Rain Gear

Personally I carry rain gear ALL the time. But I understand some do not have the space to do so. On cross country trips I would put it in a bag and keep it bungee corded to the sissy bar, tour pack or some other outside area of the bike for quick access. Of course this leaves the inside for more stuff that needs better protection from the elements.

In this category smaller  / lighter is better ...  when packing for long trips.  However, if you keep rain gear  in your saddlebag all the time, then pick something that's durable and would hold up as additional warmth if needed.

Examples coming, stay tuned ...

Images are clickable for web site with pricing.

These are great high visibility lights  ... they keep the cages away.

This item can be mounted on the tour pack  (above or below). Great visibility!!
Comes in many light combos and colors.

Red and Blue lights are for police vehicles only!

Brilliant LED warning in a lighthead that is 16 3/8" wide by a mere 1 5/8" perfect for installing on front or rear windshield, rear deck, dash or headliner of a vehicle. The standard swivel bracket can be mounted directly onto the headliner or windshield with the two standard suction cups.

On/Off switch and selection switch for 20 available patterns is located on the back of the lighthead. Cord and cigar plug is standard.

80 individual L.E.D. bulbs on each side for a total of 160 L.E.D.'s.

This item is great for the front of the bike attaches to the inside of the windshield.
Comes in many light combos and colors.

(Red lights are not allowed on the front of a vehicle unless it is a emergency vehicle). Road Captains are not considered an Emergency vehicle.

Whelen’s new Talon Dash Light uses Whelen’s "Linear LED” technology, which dramatically increases the off-axis (side) visibility. The Linear Super-LED from Whelen is the brightest LED available. This dual dash/deck LED light includes removable windshield hood (prevents flashback), swivel bracket for permanent or suction cup mounting, lighter plug with an on/off switch and selection switch for 20 available patterns is located on the back of the lighthead.