[Keef Sparrow]

I thought it was about time to adjust the chain on my new Bullet Trials for the first time. I'd had the tool kit out a handful of times to do minor things like adjust the mirrors and clutch cable. I thought it was a mistake that two 13mm spanners had been included - until I realised they were meant for adjusting the clutch cable at the engine end - sadly no adjuster on the handlebar lever. They don't even fit properly - I'm guessing the nuts are 12mm not 13.  But what really shocked me today was that they don't even supply enough spanners in the factory supplied tool kit to adjust the chain!  Now I only expect a basic tool kit to be supplied with any new bike to perform a few simple basic maintenance tasks - but surely adjusting the chain is one of these tasks we all have to do fairly regularly?

Fortunately I have built up a fairly large took kit of my own after many years fettling cars and bikes so I did have a socket that fits the nut holding the wheel spindle - RE only supplied a spanner big enough to undo the locking nut but not the larger main nut.    So I did eventually manage to take the excess slack out of the chain, although the adjustment markers leave a lot  to be desired - especially in fading light.

How I miss the single sided swinging arms and eccentric adjustment on my last two Triumphs!

[gizzo]

Did the tool kit come with the awful tyre levers?

[AzCal Retred]

I'm convinced that most of the RE fastener head sizes used are "approximate", not precisely correct. I routinely cycle thru Metric, US SAE, a few Whitworth, and an unsettling amount of Crescent Wrench & Channel-Lock usage. Only the fasteners I have obtained thru the local auto & hardware stores seem true to size. No real problem, just your tool pouch gets larger. - ACR -

[Richard230]

You should be happy that your bike came with even a few tools. Most modern BMW motorcycles seem to only give you a slot under the seat for your credit card and a place to carry important papers - such as the location of the nearest BMW dealer.   

[Keef Sparrow]

Did the tool kit come with the awful tyre levers?

Yes.

I've since looked at the section of the downloadable manual that relates to the tool kit. It does actually specify 2 x 12mm spanners - which should fit the chain adjusters and clutch cable, but they actually supplied 2 x 13mm with mine. Maybe the older round section pre-disc brake swingarms used a different sized nut and they didn't change the spanner size in the tool kit? Also, I assume the tommy bar is supposed to go through the end of the rear wheel spindle, but it's too big.

[Keef Sparrow]

You should be happy that your bike came with even a few tools. Most modern BMW motorcycles seem to only give you a slot under the seat for your credit card and a place to carry important papers - such as the location of the nearest BMW dealer.   

Most BMW owners would probably never even notice if there was a tool kit or not....

[gizzo]

Yes.

I've since looked at the section of the downloadable manual that relates to the tool kit. It does actually specify 2 x 12mm spanners - which should fit the chain adjusters and clutch cable, but they actually supplied 2 x 13mm with mine. Maybe the older round section pre-disc brake swingarms used a different sized nut and they didn't change the spanner size in the tool kit? Also, I assume the tommy bar is supposed to go through the end of the rear wheel spindle, but it's too big.

that crazy crew at RE!

[wr6133]

My CGT toolkit also has a selection of spanners all in (allegedly) 13mm, maybe they got a deal on a container load of not accurately 13mm, 13mm spanners.

I'd pay to see someone do a roadside rear tyre change on the UCE with those levers 

[Ove]

Mmmm. I carry an inner tube puncture kit in the cubby next to the air box, assuming I would use the RE toolkit tyre levers! Anyone suggest suitable quality replacements?

The owner's handbook says a 12mm and 13mm is supplied. I had 2 x 13mm, no 12. Easily remedied, but a sign of factory QC. Anyone would think these bikes are cheap..

[gizzo]

Mmmm. I carry an inner tube puncture kit in the cubby next to the air box, assuming I would use the RE toolkit tyre levers! Anyone suggest suitable quality replacements?

The owner's handbook says a 12mm and 13mm is supplied. I had 2 x 13mm, no 12. Easily remedied, but a sign of factory QC. Anyone would think these bikes are cheap..

Michelin style levers are the dog's bollocks if you have room to carry them. Short dirt bike ones are better than nothing. The RE ones are about as good as nothing.

[wildbill]

but you failed to mention-what a great tool roll the tools come in-if it was the euro3 version it would have been just a cheap plastic affair which in time the screwdriver alone would just dig through the bottom and the tools would eventually fall through from continuous use...
just a guess there!

[Richard230]

Mmmm. I carry an inner tube puncture kit in the cubby next to the air box, assuming I would use the RE toolkit tyre levers! Anyone suggest suitable quality replacements?

The owner's handbook says a 12mm and 13mm is supplied. I had 2 x 13mm, no 12. Easily remedied, but a sign of factory QC. Anyone would think these bikes are cheap..

Motion Pro makes a neat set of 2 lightweight combination tire levers and bead breakers. They have two sets. One made of steel for the garage and the other set made for on-road usage, made of aluminum.  They can be brought from Amazon. I have a set of the steel versions and they work well for removing tube-type tires, but might not be quite up to breaking the bead on some large tubeless tires. (Which is not exactly an issue for Bullets.     )

[Keef Sparrow]

but you failed to mention-what a great tool roll the tools come in-if it was the euro3 version it would have been just a cheap plastic affair which in time the screwdriver alone would just dig through the bottom and the tools would eventually fall through from continuous use...
just a guess there!

Yes, the tool roll is nice - shame about it's contents.  I'm tempted to add a few things, but I doubt it would still fit in the tool box as all the electrical gubbins takes up most the space in there. 

[Carlsberg Wordsworth]

I bought two tyre levers from Hitchcocks and struggled with those. Scratched the rim a bit. Or added character lol.

I have the cheapo plastic tool holder with free screwdriver hole as Wildbill mentioned 

[Ove]

Yes, the tool roll is nice - shame about it's contents.  I'm tempted to add a few things, but I doubt it would still fit in the tool box as all the electrical gubbins takes up most the space in there. 

No, no space in there. There's a bit of space in the chrome box on the other side, but only the bottom half. I'd love to change out the air filter system, to free up all of that box, but I understand the pod filters damage performance. So, I've strapped a canvas / leather bag to the rear rack to carry extras when I'm further from home.