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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
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Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 15 Dec 2007
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Matt, you had a look at Pelican cases? Loads of bracket and mounting systems available - the Yanks love 'em...

Peli Small Cases - Waterproof-Cases.co.uk
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  #2  
Old 15 Dec 2007
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I was looking at petty cash boxes to use as a tool box the biggist I saw was 12" not sure if they get much bigger, cost under £20
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  #3  
Old 15 Dec 2007
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Hi Matt
I answered this post originally without realising it was you. If I remember correctly you bought some Altos or similiar panniers for your trip to the East. From what I've seen these panniers/boxes are very similiar to those. The material is quite thin (less than 1mm) and they are very light. I also think the panniers are too wide. When fitted to mine the bike is only a couple of centimetres short of 1 metre wide.
The material strength is not so important for the top box, so I actually think the top box is a better buy, but you do need to reinforce the base with some offcuts of aluminium when attaching to the rack.
ps Sorry to hear about your back injury. Is that something which has happened since you got back from Iran?
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Last edited by mustaphapint; 15 Dec 2007 at 20:58. Reason: grammar
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Old 15 Dec 2007
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Originally Posted by harleyrider View Post
Hi Matt
I answered this post originally without realising it was you. If I remember correctly you bought some Altos or similiar panniers for your trip to the East. From what I've seen these panniers/boxes are very similiar to those. The material is quite thin (less than 1mm) and they are very light. I also think the panniers are too wide. When fitted to my mine the bike is only a couple of centimetres short of 1 metre wide.
The material strength is not so important for the top box, so I actually think the top box is a better buy, but you do need to reinforce the base with some offcuts of aluminium when attaching to the rack.
ps Sorry to hear about your back injury. Is that something which has happened since you got back from Iran?
Thanks for that, I have emailed the guy to see if he can give me any more info.

No, the back injury was a long time ago, due to intemperate snowboarding.

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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Old 15 Dec 2007
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Originally Posted by Dan 23 View Post
Matt, you had a look at Pelican cases? Loads of bracket and mounting systems available - the Yanks love 'em...

Peli Small Cases - Waterproof-Cases.co.uk
Hi Dan,

Yep, I'd thought about peli cases a while ago, and they seemed ideal except for the price. That link has some good discounts though, will take a closer look, thanks!

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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  #6  
Old 15 Dec 2007
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have seen a few use short sections of plastic drain pipe (pretty tough), with end caps. with your existing ali you could mount a small supporting bracket to the rear of your pannier. Some metal loops to prevent it being removed, could even loop into your pannier (though would need water-proofing) or onto the bike.

straight-forward to add some lock-able end caps. and weld an end on. I guess you could use the plastic piece as a template to make a decent curve out of your existing all, and just weld the seem. Or smash the insides out of an old metal flask?

There's all sorts of metal tubes in builders yards too.

if you are filling up two of those, then take less stuff :-)

Doug
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Old 16 Dec 2007
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Thanks for the input folks.

Have gone for the slightly expensive option and ordered a small peli case, which still allows for some bodging fun as I will have to make a bracket for it.

Hi Dougie, how's tricks? How did your trip on the V-Strom go?

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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Old 16 Dec 2007
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v-strom is fine, thirsty and slow (and crap handling), but fine. it's even more SUV than a 1200GS. give me back an AT any day. never made it to Turkey or Libya in the end. girl problems...

considering cycling in SA next year. fortunately i'm doing a couple of days a week in barcelona at the moment, which is helping the spanish (my spanish, not THE spanish).

where are you off to with your shiney new top box?
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Old 16 Dec 2007
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Heading back to Morocco with a mate who has a DRZ. Going to try going further off the beaten track than last time, travel light etc.
My mate is trying to pursuade his girlfriend and a friend to drive his van down (bikes in the back to S. Spain) and while they are being sold carpets in the towns we will be blasting about on our lightly laden bikes but with the back up of a good toolkit, a few luxuries etc. carried by the girls in the van. It all sounds a bit Ewan and Charlie (but with less crying) and more supported off-roading than true adventure touring but should be good fun.

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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