3" or 4" tool tube?

**kcfire** · #1 3 Dec 2002

For use as a tool tube mounted in front of engine, will a 4" pvc tube be too big and interfere with the front tire on braking? Is anyone using a 4" tube or only 3"?
Thanks
John

**JamesCo** · #2 5 Dec 2002

I guess it depends on your bike. I have a KLR650 and initially made a 4 inch tube. It was too big and interfered with the wheel, so I now have a 3 inch one which is plenty big enough but still had to be positioned carefully to avoid the wheel under braking. Both were made from black ABS plastic.

James.

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 05 December 2002).]

**kcfire** · #3 5 Dec 2002

James,
Thanks. I was wondering if the tire would hit the 4" tube on braking. I have the tank and seat off right now to install an alarm system and some accessories on my new mini dash, so I couldn't test ride it yet. It looked like I could go flying over the bars if the tire hit the tube while braking. I think I would pass on that.
Thanks again
John Kennedy

**Grant Johnson** · #4 6 Dec 2002

Best bet is to pull the fork springs and fully compress the front end, turn the bars etc. - then you KNOW how much clearance you have.

Make sure you have at least one inch clearance - it's amazing how much forks flex under load...

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**kcfire** · #5 6 Dec 2002

Grant,
I hadn't thought about doing that. I just got the shop manuals for it so now I'm really dangerous!
I also found an interesting place to put the fiamm horns. The outside fairing mount bolts are the same size as the horn mounting bolt. Just replace the screw with the horn and screw it into the fairing mount hole. I'm putting one on each side.
John

**t0by** · #6 6 Dec 2002

I used a 4" tube for a while and suspected that the fork pressure was too low. It wasn't too low, the tube was too big.

10 minutes from home I slammed on my brakes to avoid a wreckless taxi driver. The tyre hit the tube hard and made a big hole in it.

I'd recommend the 3" ;-)

**fledglingme** · #7 23 Mar 2003

i'm installing a 3.5 inch tube. in my case i'm using some electrical tubing ( gray in colour )a little acetone on a rag will clean all printing.looks like it'll clear everything. and the .5 inch diference makes a lot more internal room.

**stephen.stallebrass** · #8 28 Aug 2009

Hi all:

Check out this guys solution over on the Stromtrooper website... thought I'd give you all the heads up.

Totally Tubular Tool Tube - Stromtrooper.com

This is the website for the product:

OPERATOR'S MANUAL CANISTER - Agri Supply

I've seen other solutions such as PVC tubes and welding rod cannisters but this is the bizzniss, it actually looks lokie its made for the bike. Definitely gonna get me a couple of these on the bike.

Steve
xXx