Liz,
Some good tips in here, here's my thoughts, extremely basic, keep it simple.

ON THE ROAD

1. Set of spare spark plugs.
2. Spark plug (gap) feeler gauge. Know your setting and practice it a couple of times.
3. 3/8" ratchet and socket for spark plugs.
4. Flashlight with fresh batteries.
5. Tire gauge
6. What ever tools needed to access your battery (i.e. removing seat or....?), in case you need a jump start.

That's it IMO.

Replacing a fouled plug can get you back on the road in 10 minutes.

A possible jump start.

Tire pressure.

Anything beyond that, call your insurance tow service. Road side work can be very dangerous, keep it simple.

At home you can play around a little more.

My .02

 

Thanks Guys... Has Been Fun Reading This Posting. To the Original Thread Idea, MY OPINION.. (Don't Mean a Thing).... is that if you Need the tools explained to you, then DON'T USE THEM... Road America available thru HOG Membership..Tows you to Nearest Harley Dealer...
If, Like one poster mentioned ..installing some do-dads you purchase at a bike show, then the standard tools, plus Allen wrenches. I have found like most of the guys mentioned, Duct Tape, FlashLite, LeatherMan, Rag, Plastic Ties, Some extra Directional Bulbs, (If you have a touring bike, a fuse might not be a bad idea, but, Try Doing all these things on the Side of I95 at Rush Hour or worse... at 2AM. GET Road America.,.. Save the Tool Kit for the Garage Work.
My 2 cents and Worth EVERY Penny....
God Bless... "country Fried"

 

And, as a backup on the road, a couple of them *snap-light sticks*.

At a buck each, it'll be your best investment.

 

I like to have a 10mm theres a few times I had to stop and help friends with lose battery cables. 10 mm work on all harleys good thing to keep on you bike

 

Dead right on that one. My Duo-Glide had tools in one bag and oil in the other. Any clothes, beer, etc I wanted to carry went on the luggage rack on the rear fender.

 

You HAD a luggage rack to use, IA ??? WELL, you ATH-HOAL !!!!

 

Damn skippy...I was a class act even back then. Ain't no half steppin here!

 

You can go to most auto parts stores and get a tool set in a box for around thirty or forty bucks that will have most everything you need to work on you bike at home. If you want good tools then go the sears and get one of their mechanics tool sets. A pretty complete one will run between one and two hundred dollars. Depending on what model bike you have you might want to get a oil filter wrench from Harley.

I have always found the most useful tools to be a Big Phukin Hammer and at least a 12 pack of beer or a couple of bottles of wine depending on how big a job you are trying to do.

 

Got a toolkit from Windzone for Xmas, the EK-1HD. Has everything you shuold need for a quick repair (if possible) or for installing accesories including a T-27 torx bit. Get a better flashlight, the one that comes with it is crappy. Picked it up from ebay for about $46 including shipping. It's pretty heavy but it's better than nothing.

 

I also suggest the $9 kickstand spring in your travel kit. Zip ties will work, but not if you are by yourself.