pipes - muffler mod with photo link

[todd_mckinnon2000]

Is there consenus on the best lowest cost metal touring boxes/saddlebag? I originally bought the Kawasaki canvas saddle bag, which has served me well for short rides, but was thinking to upgrade. Seems metal boxes can be left on with less chance of theft. Seems I will have to buy the whole rig with mounting frame and boxes. Thanks for any suggestions or experience you can share.

[Jeff Khoury]

#ygrps-yiv-552988850 p {margin:0;}I currently have soft saddlebags, but I will be upgrading to pannier racks with 20mm ammo cans.  It's a common setup and the least expensive metal case solution.  Aluminum panniers are lighter but cost WAY more than $15.00 each. -Jeff Khoury Astatic Solutions, LLC.

----- Original Message ----- From: "todd_mckinnon2000" To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 5:40:57 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Metal Touring Boxes or Saddlebags Which Rig to Get?   Is there consenus on the best lowest cost metal touring boxes/saddlebag? I originally bought the Kawasaki canvas saddle bag, which has served me well for short rides, but was thinking to upgrade. Seems metal boxes can be left on with less chance of theft. Seems I will have to buy the whole rig with mounting frame and boxes. Thanks for any suggestions or experience you can share.

[Ross Lindberg]

Attachments :

I have copied others on the list who have used the HT SU racks, quick release kit and surplus ammo boxes to make low cost touring boxes.  I inherited on 50 cal. (I think) ammo can and purchased another unit for $12.  I’m lucky enough to have a small sandblaster at work, so I blasted them, then primed and painted to match my bike.  I welded up some custom padlock hasps for security. I also added Non-Skid tape to the top of the lids as well as some bungee loops.  Total cost for the boxes is under $40.

 

Now without question there will be many who point out (whine) that the steel boxes are much heavier than their aluminum counterparts.  They are correct, but I challenge you to find a comparable box that is waterproof and practically indestructible as the ammo box pannier for the same price.  The weight difference really isn’t that much, especially when you consider the price.

 

I have tipped over and crashed a few times with the boxes on and have done nothing more than scratch the paint.  The extra storage is so nice to have that I leave them on all the time except for trail riding.

 

If you are interested, let me know and I’ll take a few more pictures.

 

Ross Lindberg

Fertile, MN

[Richard Decker]

Those dont look to be the 12x7x6 .50 cal's I've seen. What are the dimentions? I'm thinking about doing the same now... -Rich

On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 9:42 AM, Ross Lindberg wrote: I have copied others on the list who have used the HT SU racks, quick release kit and surplus ammo boxes to make low cost touring boxes. I inherited on 50 cal. (I think) ammo can and purchased another unit for $12. I m lucky enough to have a small sandblaster at work, so I blasted them, then primed and painted to match my bike. I welded up some custom padlock hasps for security. I also added Non-Skid tape to the top of the lids as well as some bungee loops. Total cost for the boxes is under $40.

Now without question there will be many who point out (whine) that the steel boxes are much heavier than their aluminum counterparts. They are correct, but I challenge you to find a comparable box that is waterproof and practically indestructible as the ammo box pannier for the same price. The weight difference really isn t that much, especially when you consider the price.

I have tipped over and crashed a few times with the boxes on and have done nothing more than scratch the paint. The extra storage is so nice to have that I leave them on all the time except for trail riding.

If you are interested, let me know and I ll take a few more pictures.

Ross Lindberg

Fertile, MN

-- - Rich Decker Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

[Jeff Khoury]

#ygrps-yiv-11731540 p {margin:0;}Most people use the 20mm variety.  They have the schweet external cross-brace for added rigidity and they run 15 bucks at my local surplus store. -Jeff Khoury Astatic Solutions, LLC.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Decker" To: "Ross Lindberg" Cc: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 9:52:10 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Metal Touring Boxes or Saddlebags Which Rig to Get?   Those dont look to be the 12x7x6 .50 cal's I've seen.  What are the dimentions?  I'm thinking about doing the same now...   -Rich On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 9:42 AM, Ross Lindberg wrote:   I have copied others on the list who have used the HT SU racks, quick release kit and surplus ammo boxes to make low cost touring boxes.  I inherited on 50 cal. (I think) ammo can and purchased another unit for $12.  I m lucky enough to have a small sandblaster at work, so I blasted them, then primed and painted to match my bike.  I welded up some custom padlock hasps for security. I also added Non-Skid tape to the top of the lids as well as some bungee loops.  Total cost for the boxes is under $40.

 

Now without question there will be many who point out (whine) that the steel boxes are much heavier than their aluminum counterparts.  They are correct, but I challenge you to find a comparable box that is waterproof and practically indestructible as the ammo box pannier for the same price.  The weight difference really isn t that much, especially when you consider the price.

 

I have tipped over and crashed a few times with the boxes on and have done nothing more than scratch the paint.  The extra storage is so nice to have that I leave them on all the time except for trail riding.

 

If you are interested, let me know and I ll take a few more pictures.

 

Ross Lindberg

Fertile, MN

-- - Rich Decker Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

[Ross Lindberg]

These measure 14-1/2 x 17 x 8.  Lots of room inside and they look good too. 

[Ross Lindberg]

Mine had the sheet metal diagonal brace as well.  A local body shop cut the spot welds for me and ground them smooth.  When I told him what I was up to he said “No charge.  Just bring the bike back when you are done.  I want to see how it turns out.”  Can’t beat that with a stick.

 

Ross Lindberg

Fertile, MN

[The Reverend]

I went about it a slightly different way. I used a large screwdriver to split 'tweety' and then I grabbed pliers and pulled it out. It took a little wiggling to undo the weld holding it in, but it wasn't too bad. -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Khoury How I did the muffler mod (a.k.a. tweetyectomy)