Originally Posted by Keith1954

Hi Henry - Are you saying that the Hepco & Becker Gobi panniers are definitely crappy? I enquire because lately I've been focusing on these as a serious option.

H&B's website states that: "... The Gobi bags made of a coloured shock-resistant artificial material is extremely robust, water-proof and it absorbs any shock without any consequences for your journey."
I'm confused ..

Would you clarify?

KEITH

Originally Posted by Dodger

The link shows a great way to make alloy boxes without special tools , there is virtually no welding and very little bending [ just a simple lid ]. Most guys who know how to use a tape measure and a square can build one . The only criticism I can make is that the rivets and bolts protude into the box and may damage stuff inside due to the bike vibrations . A plywood corner liner or flush fitting rivets would cure this problem .

Let me explain about what is involved with welding .
Aluminium welding is not as simple, or as cheap, as welding steel .

Welding will be stronger than rivets , but you will need a bending brake to bend the alloy into a U shape . OK OK you could improvise , but it's much simpler to get bending done in a workshop . If you are having them made you can also make the corners into two 45 degree bends [ look at Happy Trail panniers ] , this will make the box stronger and you will avoid sharp edges which might catch on your leg or the road surface .

Then you will have to weld the ends on , I would use a double 45 degree corner on the front of the box [ or an even broader angle to avoid injury to your leg ] .
I suggest TIG welding , this will involve a good quality welding machine , you'll only find these at a good quality workshop , BUT MIG welding will also be good enough if done correctly , a less well equiped shop will be able to help you here .
If you have to buy the alloy at market prices and pay shop prices for the work to be done ,it could be very expensive .
BUT if you know a welder who likes and you can find the alloy cheaply then you might be onto a GOOD THING !

You could also look for ammunition boxes or airline boxes [ there is a recent link on the HUBB that is very good] .

Originally Posted by partireper.it

NOW THAT WAS A ANSWER WITH A CAPITAL "A".

would you merry me?

Originally Posted by Dodger

Hi Gionata
This is a pair of panniers that I made .
They show the double 45 degree corners , the front sloping side is to give the pillion some space for their feet on the pegs.
The horizontal bars are for tying off soft luggage ,tyres, lifting , tying the bike down etc .





It might help to give you some ideas for your own panniers.

Originally Posted by partireper.it

mmmmm. good question.

let's put it this way. if you ride around the world, is not smart to use everyday for 17 months, plastic bags. not enough room, totally unpractical for access to what you storage in it. and you can not use them as table or whatever.

my bike, travelling for so long, become my house, my vehicle, my wardrobe, my bed, my bathroom, everything. to not be able to travel easily because of a practical problem, can be stressy and limitative.

Originally Posted by mattcbf600

Ahhh that's worth knowing - thanks very much :-)