WWID? Toolboxes as saddlebags

[BinDerSmokDat]

Saw these and thought of your tool box pannier idea.

At 12x14x6" they are a good size for Ural panniers. Lighter than a comparable steel ammo can, not waterproof, not as bullet proof, but might work well as long as you don't load them with your vintage cannon ball collection. They will do custom sizes, so maybe the same size but with the lid on the 6x12 side? I've emailed him asking what the price would be configured like that.



http://www.customaluminumboxes.com/id89.html

[JohnBG]

Ugh....

Seriously, $7 plastic toolboxes on a several thousand dollar bike?

[Ivan Rider]

I'll stick with my Ammo Cans.

[Mud Pie]

Right now we need Kermie with his Dreaded Frog of War to chime in with his favorite line....."Metal=Good, Plastic=BAD"

[VWK75S]

Ugh.... :puke:seriously, $7 plastic toolboxes on a several thousand dollar bike?

That bullet proof little Nighthawk doesn’t deserve that.
John

[JustTroItIn]

I'll stick with my Ammo Cans.

Would you be able to post some picks of how you mounted those ammo cans?

[Hogmaine]

one word Fugly

[Ivan Rider]

I'll stick with my Ammo Cans.

Would you be able to post some picks of how you mounted those ammo cans?

Nope. I sold that bike 2 months ago. When I get some installed on Clyde I'll post some closeups.

[a1930ford]

[JustTroItIn]

I'll stick with my Ammo Cans.

Would you be able to post some picks of how you mounted those ammo cans?

Nope. I sold that bike 2 months ago. When I get some installed on Clyde I'll post some closeups.

Appreciate it.

[BinDerSmokDat]

After some email tag, I heard back from Mark at http://www.CustomAluminumBoxes.com.

He said,

"...it would be $67.37 made from .063, from .080" thick it would cost $67.69 with a handle and two lockable hasps. Plus powder coat which would be around 25 dollars..." delivered to me in NJ.
Your shipping may vary. That is for the 14"x12"x6" with the lid on the 12x6 top, like an ammo can. I think the .080 would work well as luggage (read: clothing, camp gear, lunch, etc.) just don't overload it with tools, anvils, cannonballs, etc.
I could cut some foam rubber to size and have the option of storing a 5l gas can, well protected, locked and cushioned, inside.

$136 for a pair of aluminum saddle bags doesn't sound too damn bad.

I think a pair in .080 mill, coated with OD Durabak would work well on my rig...Santa, are you listening?

[prmurat]

After some email tag, I heard back from Mark at http://www.CustomAluminumBoxes.com.

He said,

"...it would be $67.37 made from .063, from .080" thick it would cost $67.69 with a handle and two lockable hasps. Plus powder coat which would be around 25 dollars..." delivered to me in NJ.
Your shipping may vary. That is for the 14"x12"x6" with the lid on the 12x6 top, like an ammo can. I think the .080 would work well as luggage (read: clothing, camp gear, lunch, etc.) just don't overload it with tools, anvils, cannonballs, etc.
I could cut some foam rubber to size and have the option of storing a 5l gas can, well protected, locked and cushioned, inside.

$136 for a pair of aluminum saddle bags doesn't sound too damn bad.

I think a pair in .080 mill, coated with OD Durabak would work well on my rig...Santa, are you listening?

Looks like a great deal...How will you mount them?
Philippe

[rougaroo]

Just a beef about toolboxes in general with a nod to the tool roll supplied with the Ural and even larger ones. It can even be stated as one of the Immutable Laws:

Whatever tool you need is always in the very bottom of the toolbox.

Rougaroo

[BinDerSmokDat]

Looks like a great deal...How will you mount them?
Philippe

Well I still need to order the boxes and see them in person to figure it out and this will be a dead-of-winter project so I haven't ironed out the exact particulars yet.
I'm thinking that the fender hoop will take some of the weight. Since that area supports either the bench or a 2nd solo saddle, it should hold.
The weak link is where the frame basically stops at the seat bracket joint. The trick will be mounting as far forward as possible to keep the weight off the tail.
So some sort of "Y" shaped brace that ties in the hoop and frame with some triangulation, perhaps like this...



I just have to figure out how I am going to clear that shock. If I come inside of the shock, there is wheel clearance to worry about. If I go outside of the shock, I have to clear the suspension movement there.I'd also tie the left and right brace together some how, perhaps a loop over brakelight mount. Boxes will also have to be quick connect for wheel access and to remove for commuting.I'd like to make the whole system out of aluminum to keep the weight down, only I don't know how to weld aluminum...

[BinDerSmokDat]

Just a beef about toolboxes in general with a nod to the tool roll supplied with the Ural and even larger ones. It can even be stated as one of the Immutable Laws:

Whatever tool you need is always in the very bottom of the toolbox.

Rougaroo

I've ditched the stock Ural tool roll. It's nice as a work space during roadside repairs, but in the trunk it takes up more space than the tools require.
Sometimes you just want to grab a screw driver or allen key without opening up a 5lb roll of tools.
And the Ural tools did not always neatly fit in the roll; I had small items fall out because they were loose/tall or conversely tools were too short for the pocket and not easily visible/accessible.

I use a Husky tool bag from HD to hold nylon zipper pouches which organize tools by length.
You just picture the tool in your head when you go to reach for it.
Need small allen keys? Grab small pouch.
Screwdriver is medium sized, grab medium pouch.
Tire irons? Long pouch.

My tools now take up less space than the tool roll, plus I've added an snubby adjustable, 4 way screw driver, better combination needle nose/diagonal/standard pliers, aluminum combination tire levers-wrench, 3/8 socket adapter for tire wrench and several common socket sizes. Weight/space required of the tools is now less than stock, but more versatile.

I will probably keep tools in the trunk, which is better suited for the weight.
The boxes will generally hold lighter stuff.