How to prepare for a road trip? (from a mechanical POV)

I am quite new to this so don't know anything about bike maintenance/repairs so if something was to go wrong en route, I wouldn't have the first clue what to do. Let's say you have a fall, one of your levers breaks off or something... what do you do? I have recovery so I guess call them and get collected to the nearest garage but damn, that would be a dampener on the trip...
Anyway, what stuff must you pack and what could go wrong on a longer trip?

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by agy

I am quite new to this so don't know anything about bike maintenance/repairs so if something was to go wrong en route, I wouldn't have the first clue what to do. Let's say you have a fall, one of your levers breaks off or something... what do you do? I have recovery so I guess call them and get collected to the nearest garage but damn, that would be a dampener on the trip...
Anyway, what stuff must you pack and what could go wrong on a longer trip?

Depends on the age of your bike.

Spare levers will fit under the seat, get the foot ones as well as the hand ones.

A new clutch cable will also fit under there.

Preventative action is always the best bet, so get some hints and tips off of here on the simple stuff and maybe do a course.

[_Stretchie_]

Gaffer tape

[Luckypants]

Per SK, carry spare hand levers under the seat. I carry one of DavieSVs wonderful inventions called a fixer-peg (linky) to repair broken foot levers. I also carry a decent tool kit, gaffer tape and cable-ties to fix bodywork, puncture repair kit and good recovery insurance. You can only really fix up the bike after a relatively minor off, after that you will probably need help.

On the subject of things in case of an off, don't forget a first-aid kit and the knowledge to use it in case you need to patch yourself (or someone else) up.

As if I know how to change levers...

[jambo]

I carry day to day:
Brake & clutch levers
Clutch cable
Puncture repair kit
Mole grips
Cable ties
Gaffa tape
Assorted screwdrivers / spanners & sockets in the most common sizes.

This means I don't get stranded with something really silly, like a broken front brake lever, or flat tyre, or a loose part on the bike. But clearly anything major may well need recovery.

The key to a chilled tour is to make sure you're happy with the bike before you set off. Tyres, brakes, chain, oil level etc. If everything is fine when you leave you can forget about most of it while you're moving. If you've not had the bike long, keeping an eye on the chain's lubrication and engine oil level are worth making sure you do regularly until you get a feel for how often these need adjusting on your bike.

If your bike is due a service soon, consider having it done before you go to give you piece of mind.

I've done several 1,000 - 1,500 mile trips on the bikes over a week and only had to put a little oil on the chain in that time.

Jambo

[jambo]

Originally Posted by agy

As if I know how to change levers...

It's very simple, and once you'd seen it you'd be fine doing it again, but the point is while finding someone who can change the lever's pretty easy, if you don't have the part, they can't help you out

Jambo

God I desperately need to do one of those courses...

Im going touring about in 2 weeks in italy, austria and switzerland, just taking the standard sv toolkit, zipties, duct tape, a knife and tyre repair kit, and one change of clothes. All is good
Oh, and some oil

How do you repair punctures? Do you need a stand to lift the bike?