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Author Topic: Helpful Tools and Gadgets  (Read 1039 times)

Pard

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Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« on: June 11, 2023, 09:37:56 PM »

Front wheel chock. 

The pricing range on these items is wide.  Lowest quality will do the job, but be prepared for chinesium metal, welding, hardware and finish.

Top quality products are worth it for just a bit more cash outlay.

I have a cheap version but it works just fine.  Safer than just leaving your bike on the sidestand.   Maximize safety by using a rear paddock stand along with a front chock.

https://www.blackwidowpro.com/motorcycle/wheel-chocks/deluxe-adjustable/p/bw-ch-dx1-v2/

https://baxleycompanies.com/products/sport-chock?variant=39329523663022

With the reverse function on the Energica, using the chock is super easy.



« Last Edit: June 11, 2023, 09:39:53 PM by Pard »
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Specter

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2023, 06:19:10 AM »

Looks nice, I got one of the higher end ones, the Oxford.
Rear end just did NOT fit the bike.  With the side siders, the adjuster on it just hit the thing where you mount it at.  I could not get it to really engage in a safe manner so it's going back and I ended up ordering the 'Official Energica' ones that are out there, but were not in stock at the time.  THIS is becoming an issue with them on a lot of stuff.  Out of Stock.  Well dammit restock the shit!!

I'll stop right here so I don't go into it's a cheap piece of metal not space shuttle tech FFS   rant...

Aaron
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Pard

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2023, 02:07:19 AM »

When changing tires using stands, the pitbull pit crew tire wedge will spare you much aggravation and your back:

https://www.pit-bull.com/pit-crew-tire-wedge-f0102-000

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Pard

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2023, 09:53:22 PM »

Have this unit.  Very helpful if you get a flat and have a plug kit along as well.

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jotjotde

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2023, 05:03:49 PM »

Parking the bike on a slope can be tricky and instead of putting a stone behind the wheel  :P many of you use the Bullet Brake.

Unfortunately installing the BB is not allowed here in Germany and most probably not anywhere in the EU as the proper homologisation is missing. If you putting it on your bike you risk a fine and some more trouble. So, in case I need something to secure my bike, I carry the following item with me which is cheap but effective.

Of course, a short velcro strap or a cable binder can also do the trick  :).
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Specter

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2023, 01:08:24 AM »

thank you for posting that pard.  After getting my flat, I was looking for a small tire changer to carry on the bike.  The can of fix a flat is rather bulky, however so are most the carry around air compressors I have seen as well.  That could darned near be squinched up under the seat somehow I bet.

Aaron
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smithy

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2023, 01:45:37 AM »

thank you for posting that pard.  After getting my flat, I was looking for a small tire changer to carry on the bike.  The can of fix a flat is rather bulky, however so are most the carry around air compressors I have seen as well.  That could darned near be squinched up under the seat somehow I bet.

Aaron

I carry a full puncture repair and tool kit and a small rechargeable Bosch pump....but I keep it all the the Experia top box along with my wet weather gear etc...plenty of room in there..! I don't know if all this stuff would fit in the other bike's storage areas though unless you have the soft side cases or similar.

Smithy.
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When I die, I wan't to go peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather....not screaming like the passengers in his car.

Specter

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2023, 02:57:22 AM »

That's what i am thinking I am going to do here.  The fix a flat is a bit bulky carrying that bulky aerosol can around so tire kit and small inflator it is.  I am probably going to end up buying a tank bag for the Ribelle and storing my 'Bike Kit' in there.  the side bags I am almost always using for packages, groceries etc etc.

Aaron
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jotjotde

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2023, 12:09:27 PM »

As already mentioned in other posts, I am in the process of stepwise sustituting all the bike's hardware prone to corrode over time (which is does!).

Another eyesore to me was the back wheel axle nut and there are several manufacturers who offer versions of special steel (Gilles, Pro Bolt) and titanium (Pro Bolt).
It is a M25 x 1.5 nut but be advised that you need one suitable for a 32 mm wrench! Gilles offers a M25 but for a 36 mm wrench - this will not do!
Due to the chlorine sensitivity of special steel (salted streets in wintertime) I decided for titanium and to keep to the color scheme of my bike, a gold-plated one  :P.

Torqued to 70 Nm as suggested in the manual but also used mid-strength Locktite. Loctite is advisable as the original nut has an inlaid nylon ring for loss prevention.
Used simple bar ends to seal the hollow axle against stuff going into it.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2023, 12:22:54 PM by jotjotde »
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Pard

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2023, 07:28:36 PM »

^^ Very nice!  @jotjotde
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DonTom

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2023, 10:34:00 PM »

Parking the bike on a slope can be tricky and instead of putting a stone behind the wheel  :P many of you use the Bullet Brake.

Unfortunately installing the BB is not allowed here in Germany and most probably not anywhere in the EU as the proper homologisation is missing. If you putting it on your bike you risk a fine and some more trouble. So, in case I need something to secure my bike, I carry the following item with me which is cheap but effective.

Of course, a short velcro strap or a cable binder can also do the trick  :) .
Problem with that is it cannot be used as a hill hold, which I often use my Bullet Brake for.


On my new Zero DSR/X, it has a hill hold that only works when the bike is turned on, which seems a bit stupid, IMO. But that has an easy fix. I use a thin brake hold thingy also, fits in with the charge plug area so it is easy to get to for parking.


Does anything added to a vehicle there need some type of authorization? I realize European motor vehicle laws are a lot stricter than here in the USA. But a Bullet Brake sure is helpful on most of the electric motorcycles. No needed so much on the Zero DSR/X because its hill hold works very well. Just put on the front brake very hard and the hill hold engages, which I have found very useful already on my new DSR/X.


-Don-  Reno, NV
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1971 BMW R75/5
1984 Yamaha Venture
2002 Suzuki DR200SE
2013 Triumph Trophy SE
2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
2017 Blk/Gold HD Road Glide Ultra
2017 Org Zero DS ZF 6.5/(now is 7.2)
2017 Red Zero SR ZF13 w/ Pwr Tank
2020 Energica EVA SS9
2023 Energica Experia LE
2023 Zero DSR/X

jotjotde

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #11 on: July 19, 2023, 12:23:01 PM »

Does anything added to a vehicle there need some type of authorization? I realize European motor vehicle laws are a lot stricter than here in the USA. But a Bullet Brake sure is helpful on most of the electric motorcycles. No needed so much on the Zero DSR/X because its hill hold works very well. Just put on the front brake very hard and the hill hold engages, which I have found very useful already on my new DSR/X.

No question that the Bullet Brake would be a very useful addition. I would very much like to put it on my bike but then I risk high fines because I have mounted non-certified equipment.

In Europe all safety-relevant equipment must be certified (at least that's the philosophy). That includes all lights, brakes, mirrors, everything the rider contacts (foot rests/pegs, bars) etc.
Of course you can call that Nanny State Thinking but in my view that keeps most of the 'Chinesium' stuff off the streets. Imagine a shoddy-made footpeg breaking of in the mid of riding a nice 120 km/h curve or a failing lever during an emergency brake.
In principle it would be no problem for Bullet Brake to apply for such a certificate but in reality that takes too much time, effort and money for a small business outside the EU. A pity!

 
« Last Edit: July 19, 2023, 12:26:48 PM by jotjotde »
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Specter

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2023, 08:06:32 PM »

You also have to ask yourself, how strictly do they enforce those BS laws?
Sometimes laws are on the  books but the cops are really unaware of them, or don't care, because, maybe they are cycle cops too and know what BS that law is and just ignore it??

id put it on and give it a shot, unless you did something stupid to get pulled over, and got an attitude or something to MAKE them now want to find stuff to rape you with, I don't think they'd know off the cuff it was not an 'authorized' attachment, given how many attachments, gizmo's and goodies there are for bikes that ARE authorized.

Just My Opinion.

Aaron
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jotjotde

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #13 on: July 20, 2023, 11:36:04 AM »

We have a mandatory bi-annual re-certification for cars and motorbikes when the vehicles are surveyed and tested by officials. In principle not a bad idea in our densely populated European regions.
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DonTom

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Re: Helpful Tools and Gadgets
« Reply #14 on: July 20, 2023, 11:49:07 AM »

We have a mandatory bi-annual re-certification for cars and motorbikes when the vehicles are surveyed and tested by officials.
Can you get away with taking off the Bullet Brake before the certification and putting it back on later? It will only take about five minutes to take off. Another five minutes to reinstall.


-Don-  Reno, NV
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1971 BMW R75/5
1984 Yamaha Venture
2002 Suzuki DR200SE
2013 Triumph Trophy SE
2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
2017 Blk/Gold HD Road Glide Ultra
2017 Org Zero DS ZF 6.5/(now is 7.2)
2017 Red Zero SR ZF13 w/ Pwr Tank
2020 Energica EVA SS9
2023 Energica Experia LE
2023 Zero DSR/X
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