best tool bag/pouch/roll?

[jean_philippe_valois]

Hello everyone, I'm looking into making my own luggage rack for my KLR, probably something like the Happy-Trails SU side rack. I've got lengths of 16 gage 1" square tubing (steel) at my disposal, but it's so heavy!! Is this overkill? Would something lighter, 18 gage perhaps, 3/4" be sufficient? I plan on using light aluminum boxes, or maybe some Pelican 1550's. Any advice? Thanks a lot, Jean-Philippe Valois

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

At 7:21 PM +0000 3/18/05, jean_philippe_valois wrote:

>Hello everyone, > >I'm looking into making my own luggage rack for my KLR, probably >something like the Happy-Trails SU side rack. > >I've got lengths of 16 gage 1" square tubing (steel) at my disposal, >but it's so heavy!! Is this overkill? Would something lighter, 18 gage >perhaps, 3/4" be sufficient? > >I plan on using light aluminum boxes, or maybe some Pelican 1550's. > >Any advice?

I made a rack out of 1/2" .065" wall tubing, with 3/4" mounting points. I was worried that it might fall apart after the first 1,000 miles with my over-stuffed Pelican 1550 cases on it. The rack held up great over the 5,000 mile trip, even after I dropped the bike multiple times. Mark

[D Critchley]

I used 3/4 sq. tubing, and the set up has about 20,000 km on it with no problems yet. DC jean_philippe_valois wrote:

>Hello everyone, > >I'm looking into making my own luggage rack for my KLR, probably >something like the Happy-Trails SU side rack. > >I've got lengths of 16 gage 1" square tubing (steel) at my disposal, >but it's so heavy!! Is this overkill? Would something lighter, 18 gage >perhaps, 3/4" be sufficient? > >I plan on using light aluminum boxes, or maybe some Pelican 1550's. > >Any advice? > > >Thanks a lot, >Jean-Philippe Valois > > > > > > >Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > >

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Pat (M)]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "jean_philippe_valois" wrote:

> > Hello everyone, > > I'm looking into making my own luggage rack for my KLR, probably > something like the Happy-Trails SU side rack. > > I've got lengths of 16 gage 1" square tubing (steel) at my disposal, > but it's so heavy!! Is this overkill? Would something lighter, 18 gage > perhaps, 3/4" be sufficient? > > I plan on using light aluminum boxes, or maybe some Pelican 1550's. > > Any advice? > > > Thanks a lot, > Jean-Philippe Valois > = = = = =

I found 1/2" mild steel solid rod worked well for my one-piece homemade rack. It's modeled after the Mac-D with similar dimensions to the Happy Trails. I was able to cold-bend the rod on a bench vise and used 1/4"X1" steel strap for the side & top brace/attach points. It's survived some rugged off-road drops with no damage. I have about $15 - $20 invested in materials and $45 in welding. See 'Home made rack' in photos. Pat M A14 Western WA

[Michael Silverstein]

I figured what better place to put tools than a tool box, so I bolted a cheap tool box from Northern Tools to the rack, attached with wing nuts for easy removal. Here's some pictures: http://www.mindspring.com/~mssilverstein/motorcycles/klr650/toolbox> Mike A18

> -----Original Message----- > > > > I'm assemblying my tool kit and I'm researching > > available tools > > bags. I want to carry a comprehensive set of tools > > in anticipation > > of long distance adventures. One very large tool > > bag probably isn't > > the best way. I think splitting my tools into > > sub-kits will make > > them easier to carry and to custom tailor to the > > ride of the day. > > I've found several fender bags that will work great > > for a Tire Repair > > Kit. But I'm at a loss for my Basic Kit, which is > > to include a > > wrench set (12 pc), channel lock pliers (10" total > > length), > > screwdrivers, socket & rachet set etc, all full size > > tools. The FOX > > RACING 2005 DELUX TOOL PACK from cyclegear.com looks > > interesting, but > > they don't list any dimensions, so I don't know if > > my tools will fit. > > What kind and sizes of tool bags do you use? > > > > Thanks, > > Glen