Bike Forums - New Hard Sided Panniers

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CommuterRun (Post 7334468)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/...268cb4fba3.jpg

Nice work, but call the police, Harley Davidson stole your idea.

http://image.motorcyclecruiser.com/f...r_end_view.jpg

I used a heat gun to remove the letters from my kitty litter buckest. I also used a scrubbie pad to remove the softened lettering. Be carefule you don't melt a hole in the bucket though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galls (Post 7342711)

Now it looks like you can mount a 50 caliber machine gun on that rack and have plenty of ammunition for cycling away from zombies.

Actually that gives me an idea for some great panniers.

http://www.surpluscity.com/ammo-cans/2ammocans.jpg

Since you could store 200 rounds of ammo on the side anyway, you might as well mount yourself the appropriate machine gun on the top rack. Just saying . . .

. . . never know when everyone will suddenly turn into a zombie.

I use a Pelican case for my hard pannier, and KlickFix mounting hardware available as spare parts from REI. (Picture is a clickable link to flickr for more details.)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/...00caec09_m.jpg

Although these cases/boxes/ammo boxes even, are extremely utilitarian, i just can't bring myself to put them on my bike. There is just some level of bike nerd factor i can't get over. Of course, i also told myself i would never get a rack or panniers.

. . . i just bought both 2 days ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jputnam (Post 10171958)

jputnam:

Impressive execution. I had used Pelican cases in the service and nowadays at work, but never thought to adapt one.

Thnak you for sharing your idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galls (Post 7342711)

If you mount the machine gun on the front rack then you'd have to put a couple wide belt pulleys on the top bar to run the ammo belt up to the front. Might be good, might need a little shield in front too so the hot spent casings bounce to the side not back up in your face as you ride. But then, as another poster pointed out, you'd be ready in seconds in case it's a "fast zombie" outbreak instead of those old slow zombies.

how 'bout rear mounted machine guns to discourage draft ninjas?

maybe a little overkill. i suppose a james bond style oil slick system would be sufficient.

This thread is ancient, but still good info. The KlickFix hooks are no longer available, but the MEC ones look good. I may have to make a set of these, just because...

As long as you don't kick them with your heel, and the fly off the rack, or at least have a bit of pain..

easy enough to add a keeper strap with more pop rivets, Id say..

Great Build! I compliment your DIY innovation! These are probably the neatest damn things I've seen a DIYer create in waterproof panniers. How easy are they to remove? From the pictures it looks like a fairly simple task to unhook and take them with you, unless that inner-tube/rubber-band fastener is a beast. You should find a way to market this item, because the concept is worth way more than $40!

/Did I mention Nice Job?
//Who out there is going to man up and attach Ammo Boxes? I promise I'll gush just as much...
///Umm, that didn't come out right...

**edit**
Holy crap this is an old thread...

I love the DIY boxes but i'm not that handy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm looking for a hard shell pannier /box.

Has anyone had any experience with these?

http://americasbicycleshop.com/Bike-...B0027YX946.htm

or these?

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...7_10000_200352

Are either one worth the effort and/or cash?

Thank you in advance

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyStickman (Post 11627039)

This thread is ancient, but still good info. The KlickFix hooks are no longer available, but the MEC ones look good. I may have to make a set of these, just because...

REI no longer lists the KlickFix spares, but the company is definitely still around, just hard to find spare parts in the U.S.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/page/find...20hooks&page=1 has a decent selection in the U.K., and ships to the U.S.

http://www.xxcycle.com/spare-parts-and-klickfix,en.php has them in France, and ships to the U.S.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spudzie (Post 11633516)

I had one of the Nashbar ones for a while -- lighter weight than my Pelican case, which was nice at first, but eventually it cracked riding brick streets in Seattle. That's when I upgraded to the Pelican case I use now -- it's much beefier, a bit heavier to ride with but that's OK for commuting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanBraden (Post 11631632)

//Who out there is going to man up and attach Ammo Boxes? I promise I'll gush just as much...
///Umm, that didn't come out right...

**edit**
Holy crap this is an old thread...

I should see if I can find pictures -- my brother, a tool & die maker / machinist, has quick-release ammo cans on his commuter bike. Very secure, very durable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommuterRun (Post 7334468)

Being that my old panniers were beginning to fall apart, not weatherproof, generally unsatisfactory, and quality new panniers (like everything else cycling) are overpriced, I made my own.

Now that I have test flown them for a couple of weeks, and they work to my satisfaction, it's time to share.

Now part of this idea I did not plagiarize from one of our fellow forum members. I blatantly, outright, stole it. And I would be more than happy to give credit where credit is due, if I could only find that thread again. So if you see your ideas used here, sound off.

This photo shows the completed product.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/...c5be17d4ac.jpg
Using this box:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st..._SearchResults

The hooks, bungee and and retaining line for the latch clips came off my old panniers. The hooks are attached with 3/16"x3/16-1/4" grip range aluminum pop rivets, and backed with back-up plates. These are the shortest rivets I would use for this, slightly longer would also work.

The latch clips are to keep the boxes from popping open and scattering their contents all over the road in case I do a surface density test of the pavement.

One on the bike.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/...11e327e958.jpg
Here you can see the rubber bands I made from an old inner tube around the hooks and rack to keep the panniers from bouncing off. A carryover from my old panniers. These clips from MEC would probably be better.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1219620918746

You can also see how the 3", nylon, open base, cleat mates with the rack to keep the box held in tight to the rack. I attached the cleats using stainless screws, flat washers and locking nuts. Although stainless probably wasn't necessary for this. Each nut has an oversized flat washer, followed by a smaller flat washer under it.

The bungy attaches through the hollow base of the cleat, held in place by a simple stopper knot.

Rear view.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/...ed5c8388a7.jpg
Showing the DOT C-2 reflective tape.

Front view.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/...268cb4fba3.jpg
The panniers are mounted so high so that the rivets don't interfere with the removable tray that goes in the top of these boxes.

They are mounted so high and far back on this bike to avoid heel strike when this rack and panniers are on my road bike.

Total cost was less than $20 apiece, $40 for the pair.

I'm curious if you've had any heel-strike issues with your great panniers?

Also, if you don't mind, what size you are? (To compare with my 6'2" frame and history of heel-strike issues)

Thanks!

This is absolutely ingenious! And, one more reason for slapping myself in the head for not having ANY diy skills ......

Very cool. Any idea how much they weigh? Pelican cases I thought were on the heavy side.

Has anyone tried a hard shell for serious touring instead of commuting?

Wow! Those look great!

The bass pro link is dead, but I spied these top loaders at cabelas if you want to do this project yourself on the cheap:

http://tinyurl.com/8xnlaa4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galls (Post 7342711)

Those would be cool, but heavy...dontcha think?

Dwmckee, I used a kitty litter box on my 5 day tour , worked great. They are a little taller than those orange boxes, so no heel strike issues. Great to have a waterproof container on the trip. Made 2 hooks to hold onto the rack, strap around the side and one on the top. I used it on my left rear, so no der, issues. Small nit to pick, it was kind of tall, so had to be aware of dismounting bike to not kick it.
Recomendo, $ 0.00 dollars.

Northern Tool has these for $16 each.

15in.L x 7 3/4in.W x 11 1/2in.H

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommuterRun (Post 7334468)

Freaking BRILLIANT!!!! :D :thumb: I just might make a set of my own.

Even though I just got laid off, I find my lack of DIY skills to be even more depressing. One of these would come in handy as place to carry my padfolio around while on the job hunt.