Cheap military panniers going on silvermans.
 

Canvas motorcycle military style panniers going for silly cheap on this site..

You can waterproof canvas with ronseal or fabsil and its pretty waterproof.

GREEN MOTORCYCLE PANNIERS


I am in no way afiliated with this company but I saw them, bought some and thought anyone looking to prep on a budget could look at these. They look pretty rugged.

Ill update this thread when I get them..

Ted

They look pretty cool!

How good do you reckon is the waterproofing with ronseal or fabsil? With canvas waterproofing seems to be a bit of an issue if you don't pack all your stuff into waterproof extra bags.

I for one am very interested in what you thing once you get your hands on them.

Cheers
buebo

Well I've used Fabsil on a few tents and it's turned leaky sieves into usuable tents again.

I've not tried it on canvas but time shall tell..

I've also heard of people using RONSEAL BRICKSEAL" with fantastic results (cheaper too)....

These bags are part of the webbing kit I think. Looks like these ones might have had the straps slightly altered to make them easier to rig together and use as panniers?

I used one of these bags the year before last on a run to Italy via CzechR. I was impressed by how well the canvas seemed to stand up to light rain. I burst a chocolate trifle in the bag, and when I cleaned it out I found you can fill the bag with water and it barely leaks out even at the seams.

After this success I used two of them as panniers on my Mongolia trip last year. I had some problems with them getting thrown around, and this eventually led to one getting sucked into my back wheel and torn open. This could have been avoided if I'd had a way to use the "clip" straps at the bottom of the bags to securely attach them to the bike - Would have took a couple of minutes to weld some attachment loops to the bike had I thought this through properly before leaving. However the main thing that would stop me using them again would be the lack of total waterproofing. Plus they're a bit small.

Should also point out you can buy em much cheaper than on that website. My local army surplus was selling them for 4 or 5 quid each.

£5 !!!! AHHHHHH STOP !! LOL

well, done now ! I've just built some proper racks with hooks and hoops in all the right places so I shouldnt have your problem.

I'm going to waterproof them too !!

Do you need to waterproof the bags, being canvas when wet the fibres should swell and be virtually waterproof, canvas waterbags work this way, but the outside of them always feels damp/wet, but the water inside is always cold. Plastic bags inside the army bags has got to be the answer.

I would try to waterproof them with wax, like the one used for Fjällräven trousers or Belstaff jackets.

You probably don't want to hear this Ted but....
The 'panniers' are 58 pattern webbing 'day sacks' that were designed to be attached to a yoke and worn in conjunction with military belt kit/webbing. You can pick these up for pennies on Ebay. Great marketing idea to shift surplus stock by Silvermans! On the upside, they are bombproof and will last forever and are exceptionally waterproof too.

It will be interesting to see what you get because I have a bag that looks similar but is rubberissed on the inside.

Well, if they don't do what they were advertised as doing, then I'll send them back....

If they work, great !! £30 is still dirt cheap for good useable panniers.. If they dont, I get a refund :)

I've looked on ebay and iv seen the 58 pattern packs for about £10-£15 each so £30 a pair doesnt seem too bad if they come with all the straps etc..

Actually, they look like a pair of these:

58 Pattern Canvas Rucksack for Webbing Set on eBay (end time 31-Jan-10 14:34:06 GMT)

We shall see either way !! At least ill be able to carry them on my back when my DRZ explodes in the desert :)

Don't get me wrong they are awesome. I am going to get another and try and work out how to attach them to my dr250 or find a rack that will fit the bike. When time/pennies allow I am going to upgrade to a drz400. A former colleague/friend of mine started off on one - Gringo Enduro - Home

Keep us posted with your plans as I am planning to do an East coast trip on 4 wheels and leaving the vehicle in Kenya with friends with a view to returning when possible.

Good luck.

Nath,would that be Anchor surplus on the cattle market?I might just have a ride over there.

Yep, that's the one. It was a year a go that I last went in though, so they might not have them any more.

Well I got them today and I am VERY IMPRESSED !! Ok they stink like an old mans jockstrap and look about 20 years old but they are in fine condition.

They are PERFECT.... They have straps in all the right places, loads of adjustment, top hoops and straps to stop them moving about.

I havn't worked out the best or intended way to connect them yet but it wont take much working out.

These are WAY better than the £150 Cortech softbags I already had.

These are officially coming to Africa with me :)

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...66845ee3b459ad

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...66845ee3b459ad

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...66845ee3b459ad

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...66845ee3b459ad

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...66845ee3b459ad

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...66845ee3b459ad

Those look crap mate, you need some Zegas