Jesse Luggage in the US sells panniers liners of some sort to prevent this I believe?

Jesse Luggage in the US sells panniers liners of some sort to prevent this I believe?

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Hello. I built my panniers from scratch, but didn't have time to anodize them before my trip. Here's a quick, cheap solution that has lasted almost 15,000 miles already. 3M makes a spray glue in an aresol can called Spray-90. This is a contact cement. Cut some thick durable fabric oversize and completely spray one side and also inside the pannier. Apply the fabric and work into place making sure the glue sticks. Let the box sit open overnight so all solvents can vent away. The interior an be any fabric you choose, maybe crushed velvet??...

For an even cheaper solution to the lining problem - I taped bubble wrap in mine, worked great and no need for the inner lining bags. That lasted about 3 months until I had to have some welding done to a pannier, then in Ushuaia, in a stationary shop I bought some cheap rubbery lining material and glued that on.

Next time I might even try that Blue Peter staple, sticky back plastic (British cultural reference, sorry)

Expensive bags are a waste of money.


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Richb
http://www.postmaster.co.uk/~richardbeaumont/60684/

I agree with the above, mine have been lined with sticky backed plastic for 20 000 miles. I used the basic clear stuff from a stationers that we used to cover text books at school.

RE the aluminum dust - there is a solution, and it never fails to amaze me that no one - especially Touratech et al don't offer it.

Just anodize them! It's easy to do before the bags are assembled, but now you'll have to completely disassemble them. Once anodized, you'll have no aluminum dust problem, and your gear won't be covered in black. Also the anodizing actually makes them stronger, as it in effect surface hardens the aluminum. You lose the shiny surface inside and out, the surface is a dull silvery sort of color. (Which is probably why Touratech doesn't do it - not so pretty/shiny)

We then powder coated our boxes white, outside only. Very cool. (temp wise http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

And my vote is always for removable lids - hinged sucks. And external latches to remove the bags from the bike so you don't have to remove the lids and half the contents as noted above by Martin.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant, although it isn't anodizing, there is one company which offers a solution to the blackening problem. Happy Trails offers, as an option, powder coating of their panniers both inside and out; thus, blackening is taken care of.

Regarding Touratech panniers vs others, I've used the Touratechs extensively over some very difficult terrain (4WD roads over BLM and NFS land in the western US), and they are very good, but not the best in my opinion. The method Touratech uses to attach the bottom to the four sides is not as strong as Happy Trails and Jesse boxes, where all seams are totally welded. I think the HTs are significantly stronger. I've never used Jesse's, but I have friends who have them and the boxes appear very strong, although I've heard stories of the racks cracking. My choice is Happy Trails, which I believe to be an outstanding product (btw, I have no affiliation with HT, or any other company except as a customer).

Just my $.02 worth.

Mike

Check these out:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthr...threadid=40366

Hi MattB,
Just a quick reply to your post about the touratech boxes, I'm currently using a set with my KTM I've got four same key locks on the stock catches, have found them 100% water proof and as far as strength goes I use one of the boxes to sit the bike on to adjust chain, remove wheels etc. They get a total thumbs up from me.
Cheers. Les.

Metal Mules are the business. They can be ordered anodised to stop the black stuff. They are absolutely bombproof and as is said above they are very well thought out. Also, they have a great quick release mech which is also solid but means you can take them off easily - you find yourself using them as seats in the campsite etc. Considerably dearer than Touratechs but IMHO much better.



[This message has been edited by topper (edited 18 July 2005).]

Topper,
Is that you Daz old man?
matt

Hi,
I would say never use touratech. I have had panniers on order for 6 months and still cannot get a response as to when they will be available. You will be in Buenos Aires by the time you receive them.

Hepco & Becker
 

Just met a young lady from Switzerland with Hepco & Becker panniers. I must admit, the way they're attached to the rack is intriguing. It isn't shown very clearly on their homepage http://www.hepco-becker.de/_eng/frameset.php but works basically by hooking the box into the rack at the front end. At the rear end there's a catch on the box that clips into the rack and can be locked. Thus the panniers can be taken off the rack without having to open them.

Price level's similar as TT. They seemed to be quite sturdy, being heavily reinforced at the base. What I didn't like was that the lid were hinged. So it cannot be removed.

I myself am quite happy with the Zega panniers. Dropped the bike dozens of times and the bike plus luggage weighs just under 300kg. Haven't had the probs Martin describes.

Re aluminum dust - I stuck adhesive foil on the inside which does the job. But bags are much more useful, so I eventually decided to invest in a set. Allows you to keep the panniers on the bike.

Hans

The main problem with the Touratech panniers in my opinon is the upper mount. The hand nut compresses a small wave washer under it allowing a lot of flex in that area. After a while the mounting point deforms the pannier to the point of where the frame bar rattles around and the clamp doesn't engage it. Add some dirt and it starts "sanding" the aluminum away. It is also important that the pannier sit flush on the frame to begin with. Poor mounting ends up accelerating the problem. My remedy was to create a polymer spacer that engages all mating surfaces of the hand nut to the pannier. This then distributes the clamping load across the entire area. They can even be used with the stiffening bar that Touratech sells. I'm in the links section here if you want to see what I've done.
Jon Ladd

I've Touratech Zega's on my V-strom, love them, quite tough, dropped the bike on them many times no problems. I used epoxy paint inside no black marks.

Paint it black
 

I painted my Touratech panniers inside with Ace Hardware aluminum siding paint. Prime first then use a light color for light reflection. The paint gets beat up with use so touch up every 20K miles. Worked well for me. No prep needed except a wash before priming. Did two coats.
Problem solved.
Bill.