stringbreaker

Now mind you these are the final prototype. The next set will have a few changes such as leather straps to attach to the rack instead of the hooks, althoug I like the hooks I'm not sold on them yet but I do like the three point attachment for the bungee and hooks at the bottom. It was a learn as you go project but this is the best I have so far. Oh yeah the next set will be oiled not shellaced. [ IMG]https://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb150/stringbreaker53/020.jpg[/IMG]

Amani576

Personally, I would have gone with longer clips (in terms of hookover) that way in case you hit a serious bumb they don't even have the chance of coming off. I know, prototype, but this is just constructive criticism.
Either way, looks good.
-Gene-

stringbreaker

They are on there pretty tight from the stretch of the bungee. I'm thinking I might usea strap and buckle set up on the next set. I'll try it with these first to see how it works. there is a myriad of ideas I had for them but since I want to ride to work on Thursday I thought this would give me a pretty good test of them. I have room to bend those clips a bit more too but the rubber gives a really good grip, for now. Its nice to get (constructive) criticism since if this works I might find myself an industrial sewing machine and try to make some myself. Perhaps I can find someone around the area that makes leather goods and can give me some help with the sewing part. I asked my wife and she flat out said "not on my good machines" Here is shot of the bungee and hook attached to the rack. Its pretty tight on there.

East Hill

That's about what my response would have been, too.

The panniers look great. When am I going to see them in person?

East Hill

Kommisar89

My mom used to say that about darned near everything. She did a lot of sewing but it all seemed to be my sister's clothes and doll dresses

How heavy are they Stringbreaker?

stringbreaker

How about the daffodil classic? I think we could so someof that anyway depending on when I can start rididng regularly.

mkeller234

Nice work. Are the rack supports enough to keep the bags out of the spokes?

banjo_mole 

If/when you finalize a design for those, grab another set and make some for me, I'd buy those up in a moment. Tasty, indeed!

chicbicyclist

I hope I don't derail, but only to give you some ideas, but Velorbis sells bikes with the hooks already integrated into the rack and you can use your own bag(especially leather!) with a handle.




https://velorbis.com/velorbis-classic...c/360d-feature (Click on the rear rack part of the image)


I would imagine those hooks won't be good for bumps, but I think you can alleviate that with a bungee or leather straps.

Speaking of leather straps, you can buy some with hardware already attached to it from acorn bags https://www.acornbags.com/straps.html I would imagine its the same straps they use designed to attach to the bike and support it's weight.


I'm surprised these types of leather/shallaced bags hook mounts and/or leather panniers in similar style to these business bags aren't more popular in the vintage/classic/euro crowd. They look spiffy, I must say!

mkeller234

Stringbreaker, what bike are you mounting these to if you don't mind. Is it your Volare?

East Hill

Sounds good.

stringbreaker

They are really on there tight. I stretched the bungee before I installed them. I bounced the bike up and down on the floor and no movement at all. I think the rubber i put on the hooks really helps and I can make the hook part longer. I really think the stap idea is better and I am going to order some straps from Acorn or will make something myself. Trying to keep the cost down in case I start making these things.

stringbreaker

As an addendum. I will find out since I'm going to ride to work on Thursday with an extra amount of stuff in them to find out. Mkeller that is my Volare but these will fit on any of my bikes.

vja4Him

Very nice looking bags! Did you do all the work yourself?

steppinthefunk 

Good job! They look great.
On a little side note for those who are patient, my sister and I are in the works to market some custom bags and accessories. I'm pretty excited. I may have a prototype of our first product in a couple of weeks.

banjo_mole 

That girl is cuuute!

stringbreaker

I bought the bags and modified similar to the ones steppinthefunk did.

stringbreaker

Are you making the bags or buying them and doing the mods on them like the original set

steppinthefunk 

We are going to do a whole custom line from scratch. They will be marketed towards the classic/vintage/retro crowd and will feature some unique innovations and hopefully be less expensive then the current offerings.

seagullplayer

Nice project, some of the best looking home made panners I have yet to see, I expect you will get a lot of attention everytime you are out with them. I like the finish, I think they look better than oiled and maybe hold their shape better?

I used a set just about like those on my motorcycle one season, I liked them but they didn't hold their shape very well. Later a buddy of mine told me the secret was to cut corners out of a plastic jug (think tide) and stick them in the bottoms of the bag.

The two gallon zip lock bags are a great way to keep the contents dry.

Thanks for the pics. What kind of shallack did you use?

stringbreaker

The shellac was something I had laying around I don't even know what the brand was. Thank steppinthefunk he gave me the idea I just went with my own idea on the attachment method

kpug505

SB.....I've got a big 'ol commercial walking foot sewing machine...I haven't fired it up since I bought it. You're welcome to borrow it if you think you can figure out how to use it without piercing a finger!

stringbreaker

MMMMMM I might just take you up on that.

Amani576

Indeed. I was gonna say something like "There's a bike in that picture?".
-Gene-

banjo_mole 

Us and our young hormones. But everyone says "There's a bike in that picture?"

We should have a "There's a bike in that picture?" thread.

But I know very few others here will agree with that, so *shrug* oh well.

-Nick