| Author | Message | ||
     Wsplrll |
I just got a Nelson Rigg mini tank bag. Just curious if anyone has found the best way to mount via the straps. I ended up looping the front strap UNDER the steering head - actually up behind the horn. Seems out of the way and hopefully not too hot near the from cylinder head. Seems like that was the only place I could find that wont interfere. In the back I looped on the frame on one side so a little off kilter. Do the Buell tank bags have a special mounting strap? Hard to see in the pictures. Thanks | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I don't have the Buell tank bag. However, if you look closely, the front straps attach to a clamp that is screwed on to the bike's fuax tank torx screws. http://a1276.g.akamai.net/7/1276/1354/10584cab042f a2/www.buell.com/images/products/apparelaccessorie s/productimages/91213-04Y_large.jpg I currently have the Tourmaster Cortech Super Mini Tank bag in strap mount. http://www.tourmaster.com/images/products/h_rh.jpg With the exception of the Buell branded tank bag, I believe this is the only tank bag that fits and looks right on the XB faux tank. The downside is it's small. I also use a tail bag that is a bit more functional than the Buell brand tailbag. It is the CARGO brand (Frank Thomas) basic tailbag. I found this bag to fit just right on my Firebolt and has enough storage space for a full day of riding when it is zipped to its smaller of two sizes. When unzipped, it rises to accept enough stuff for a few days of riding as long as I'm careful in packing. http://www.geocities.com/rogue_biker/Firebolt/Fire bolt_Palomar.jpg The nice part about the CARGO Basic Tailbag is that it has two attachments. The 1st is a hidden attachment that wraps itself around & underneath the rear seat. It supplements this with bungie cords with included anti-scratch protectors to prevent scratching the bodywork. | ||
| Rarebird |
I also have a Nelson-Rigg tank Bag (the big one), and I hated the front loop strap set-up on my 12R... I cut the strap and made 2 "mini-straps" with the front clips that I mounted under the airbox cover using the front screws. The rear strap is looped under the tank where the shock mounts, and I shortened the pad to allow more adjustment. The whole thing works great, and if I choose not to use the bag, the clips are out of the way and barely noticeable... | ||
| Bebegirl |
I have Buell's biggest tank bag on my Lightning. Bob has the Revpak (sp?) on his and swears by it. We put mine on last weekend. Easy to install. Take off seat, undo screws holding air cleaner cover, insert straps, reset screws. The bag has clips like backpack clips to hold it to the straps. I put Paintguard film on the tank to protect it from scratches but the bag itself has foam pads under it and vinyl protectors under the straps. | ||
| Brooc |
Are any of these mentioned tankbags of the type which attach to a base that is mounted to the 'tank' so that, for fueling or whatever, the bag itself can be easily removed, ie without having to unthread straps around the steeringt head &/or frame etc? Cheers from DownUnder  ) | ||
| Rarebird |
My bag uses three "squeeze" clips to hold it in place, with 2 in front and 1 with an adjustable strap in the rear. For fueling, I just pop the front 2 clips and flip the bag back over the seat. If you have something in the bag that shouldn't be flipped, all three clips will release the bag in less than a second, with re-mounting the bag being nearly as quick. No "threading" involved -Mike | ||
| Brooc |
Thanks Rarebird, so does the OEM Buell bag fit the same way . .. . what influenced you to get the Nelson-Rigg bag . . .do you have a link of some sort to where I could see one, & mebbe oder it too if it looks like being a mmore attractive thing than the OEM . .. Cheers, BrooC ) | ||
| Brooc |
OK, so I Googled me a picture of it, the CL400 will prolly do the trick for me .. would still like to know what influenced your choice .. . BrooC | ||
| Rarebird |
I commute to work carrying lunch, work crap, etc.. Working 2nd shift usually means it's a pleasant ride in, but substantially colder on the way home, so I need space for all the warm gear too. I liked the expandable size (I have the CL-450), the lifetime warranty, the availability of a strap mount, the price and the fact that the rain cover was included. Ended up getting the matching large tailbag, as well, and have been very happy with my decision. Looking at their website, it looks like they've made some minor improvements since I got mine, too. -Mike | ||
| Brooc |
When the 450 isn't filled (& thus not as 'firm) does it flop about or hold its shape & position? Also, re those rear/tailpacks, is the strap system configured so as to stop the bag from 'rotating' around the seat .. .I once had a tank bag do that & nearly got me kildead! (Message edited by brooc on May 29, 2007) | ||
| Rarebird |
When the 450 is empty and zipped into it's "small" size, it holds it's shape very well- not probs with it flopping. When it's expanded and overfilled, it does want to "fall' a bit to one side or the other... Nothing dramatic, just mildly annoying. Makes me wish it had 4 straps, rather than 3. Something I'm looking at (possibly) modifying in the near future. As for the tailbag, it definitely doesn't rotate. It does, however, keep trying to crawl forward against my bike- which is, IMO, the best direction to be moving if it's going to move! Does piss me off occasionally though, and I find myself trying to "bump" it back where it belongs. Again, not dramatic, just a bit annoying, and I have some ideas of better methods of strapping it in place that I'm working on... -Mike | ||
| Brooc |
Ta for that Mike, I'll likely go with the larger one for occasional max volume but usual use in smaller size .. . to hold it stable when 'full' I'ld likely just have a compression strap rigged to pull it down HARD, mebbe clipped under lower edge of frame rails .. . being pulled down TIGHT orter stop it flopping .. & for the creeping rear bag mebbe another of your simple clip-straps to cinch it back lightly to stop the creep eh. Cheers | ||
| Jandj_davis |
I just bought a tank bag with 2 rear strap mounting points. I cannot for the life of me find a place to put them under the seat so it doesn't put upward pressure on the front of the seat. For those wondering, is is an older version of the Dowco RallyPack. Could someone post pictures of how they attached the rear of the tank bag harness? I would really appreciate it. I don't want to put too much pressure on the airbox cover, but I would rather not screw up the seat either. Thanks for the help. Oh, and I ride an XB9R. (Message edited by jandj_davis on March 14, 2008) | ||
| Azdaniel |
I bought a Buell deluxe tank bag and p.2 of the instructions is blank. For the life of me I can't figure out how to use the bushings that came with the short straps and longer screws. Could someone describe the process (or scan that page)? Thanks! | ||
| Azxb9r |
The bushing goes through the hole in the strap with the flat part on top. The head of the screw contacts the flat part of the bushing, and the barrel part of the bushing extends through the strap and the tank plastic. It allows you to snug up the screw without crushing the strap or splitting the plastic. The rear mounting strap attaches the same way. I hope this helps. | ||
| Azdaniel |
Sure did; all together now-thanks! BTW It looked as if the back screws were too short to fit with Buell's tank bra so I just removed it. If you wanted to use both I'd get a longer set of screws for the back before I started. Thanks again azxb9r. | ||
| Azxb9r |
No problem, glad I could help  | ||
| Jandj_davis |
Nobody? Come one, somebody has to have a picture of how they mounted the back of their tank bag. And if not, here's another question. How much tension do I need to put on this harness so it won't move around? Does it need to be taut like a tie-down, or just so there isn't any slack? | ||
| Gotj |
"How much tension do I need to put on this harness so it won't move around? Does it need to be taut like a tie-down, or just so there isn't any slack?" I've found that just the right amount of tension works for me. I determined that amount by trial and error. What have you tried so far?  | ||
| Jandj_davis |
So far, I haven't found a place to mount them. I am thinking I might have to make some mounting points like Roc did in these pics:   The reason I asked about tension is that if they don't have to have tons of tension on them, I won't be as concerned about putting them under the seat. But, if they need to twang when plucked, I don't want them to interfere with or damage the seat. Also, if I need to make some mounting points, I can't make them out of a sharp metal or weak plastic if the straps have to be real tight. That's why I am wanting to see some pictures. I can use trial/error to find the right tension if I can just find some mounting points! | ||
| Brooc |
AFAIC the only reason for LOTS of tightness would be to try to stop the bag from slumping side to side (as can easily happen in cross-winds or with tall/extended bags) .. .& the VERY easy fix for that is an adhesive Velcro pad stuck either side of the tank top with matching half self-adhesived to the underside of the bag-base.I didnt bother with fixed clips at the front either, just passed the strap bridle around under the frame head. KISS works for me, eezee ) | ||
| Jandj_davis |
I am not concerned about the front. The straps were easy to run around the steering head on the front. My concern is the rear. I know, the mount points in the photos are for the front, but I was using them as an example for what could be done in the rear if necessary. | ||
| Azxb9r |
On the factory tank bag, the rear uses a strap that goes between the 2 rear tank mounting bolts. It runs along the lip at the rear of the tank, just in front of the seat. There is a strap that tees off from the center of the cross strap, up to the rear of the tank bag. As long as the bag is not too tall or heavy, it does not have to be overly tight. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
Finally, a nice concise answer. Thanks Az. You don't happen to have pictures of the clips that hold that "t-strap", do you? I may have to see if I can get a hold of some of those from wolfman or whoever it is that makes the Buell bags. Anyone know? | ||
| Gotj |
To be serious now, I have a Marsee tank bag and run the rear strap under the frame, above the rear cylinder head. No heat problems with the strap. If yours is too short, maybe you could lengthen it. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
So you don't even run it under the seat? Yeah, I would have to lengthen my straps for that, but I guess that is an option. Got an pictures? | ||
| Smiley1eye |
Check out the Bagster Gaya http://www.bagster.com/en/showroom.php?id=63 Took a bit of deep thinking on how to attach it though. they offer a tank protector with attachment points that looks pretty tough, but i didnt want to cover up my airbox. it's huge. put 2 2liter bottles of mt dew, gloves, all kinds of other little stuff, carton of smokes...you get the idea... and didnt even have to expand it out. held great over bumps, curves, a wheelie or two. plus, when its time to park, it has two straps that make it a backpack. a bit GAYA for me, but its nice to have options. then i added power to it using this: http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/ptb.php there is a downside though, unless you pony up the dough for the tank protector/attachment points, they dont offer a way to attach it. wanna see it in action? check my profile pic. then on the back, i put a MCM Stealth bag for some little things. bought that from one of our sponsors: Al at American Sport Bike. made of a funky kinda foam with a vinyl covering, while not waterproof, is water-resistant (and mud resistant, and having-someone-sit-on-it-resistant too.) and ive seen the same brand used for saddle bags on an 1125, so i know they make other stuff too. | ||
| Gotj |
Here's a picture of how I routed the rear strap of my tank bag.  | ||
| Azxb9r |
Sorry, no pics. The strap has a hole in each end that the bolt goes through. There is a little bushing with a shoulder on it to keep from smashing the strap. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
Gotj - Thanks. That picture helps a little. I don't know if I can do that with a Firebolt, as the subframe is different, but I can look at that option at least. AzXB9R - Oooh, grommets. I hand't thought of those. Maybe I can get a grommet kit and make up some way to adjust it. Thanks for the insight. This gives me something to go on. Thanks again all. For those of you wondering what bag I am using, I found a guy on ebay selling tank bags for $15 (he takes off shipping if you buy more than 1). I got the large size before he sold out, loved the bag, and bought the other two sizes. I have 3 tank bags for $35. I promised him I would send some customers his way. He is a great, stand-up guy and I would recommend him to anyone. Small size: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ewItem&item=370032484994 Medium Size: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ewItem&item=370032485012 As a disclaimer, I have no affiliation with this seller other than I am a satisfied customer. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
Gotj - That mounting scheme worked like a dream. I got my tank bag mounted in just a few minutes yesterday. For some reason I never thought to look at mounting it like that. Thanks again for the pic. | ||
| Gotj |
You're welcome. Glad I could help. |
