Photo Tankbag - my idea

[Blitz]

Hello everybody,
i am travelling on my bike round the world and taking photos. on my journeys i used a lot of tank bags for my camera equipment (including the touratech profi digital) - but all of them get problems. often with the zipper or if you want to go somewhere without your motorcycle or...
So i create my own Tank - Backpack. I take a ground plate of an tank bag and fixed an real photo backpack on it.
the advantage:
1) the zipper is build for camera using - you can open it as often as you like
2) there is plenty of space for your whole equipment
3) the equipment is totally safe
4) when you where walking (without your motorcycle) - you have an real backpack!
5) its real rainsafe.
i hope you enjoy the idea and create maybe your own Tank Bag.
Henning

[Chinggis]

how well does your camera gear stand up to rough riding / dropping the bike etc?

[Blitz]

Hey Chingis,
on the tank the equipment is absolutely safe. I have tested this several times when i went through Africa and South America - including "some" droppings and an accident - and the rides sometimes had been very rough - at that time i have carry the equipment in "normal" Tankbags or the Touratech digital tankbag. (Look at the photo - Patagonia could be rough).
Now -in the Photo Bagpack - the equipment is even more safe.
I have tested this "combo" - up to now - only at a short enduroroundcourse (with little jumps) - and nothing happend to my cameras. Because i just get it ready. The real next test will be in may at my tour through Canada and Alaska.
Henning

[engjacques]

Where are the baseplate and strapping from. Looks nothing like anything on my tank bag. Also any problens with bag getting in the way of riding position or steering, Who made the camera bag - mine seems fatter/

Thanks mate

[Blitz]

Hello engjacques,
sorry for the "little" delay of the answer.
My camera bag was from Lowepro (Lowepro Mini Trekker 200), but you can use every good camera bag. You can use every ground plate - i use the TT Groundplate.
The strappings and Ribbons i buy in a market for tools - i think you can get it also on ebay.
I bring all this things to a men how was normally sewing Motorcycle seats and other leatherclothes and tell him what i want - and he does it for me (i am not a professionell sewer).
thats it - and it works.
Blitz

[engjacques]

Thanks Blitz, I will see what i can do

[KG6BWS]

I did the same thing with a Lowepro backpack (dont remember which model) on my KLR. Worked well, even wiping out a few times on a nasty trail.

[Grey Beard]

Originally Posted by Blitz

Hello engjacques,
sorry for the "little" delay of the answer.
My camera bag was from Lowepro (Lowepro Mini Trekker 200), but you can use every good camera bag. You can use every ground plate - i use the TT Groundplate.
The strappings and Ribbons i buy in a market for tools - i think you can get it also on ebay.
I bring all this things to a men how was normally sewing Motorcycle seats and other leatherclothes and tell him what i want - and he does it for me (i am not a professionell sewer).
thats it - and it works.
Blitz

Hi Blitz

I was very interested to read your post and have previously read that on top of the tank/between the wheels (minimal vibration) is the best place to carry photo gear.

I am looking at a Lowepro Flipside 300 or 400 as I want to carry some DSLR/lenses on the bike for longer tours round Norway, etc. but also on an upcoming African/Tansania Safari Trek (without a bike).

I think a Flipside 400 may be a bit large for the bike (BMW 1200 GS Adventure) and also the size may not be acceptable as hand luggage on an aeroplane. So maybe it will be the 300, though this won't have much spare room for the stuff you normally have in a tank bag! I can't find it in a local shop to look at it properly .

Is this Tank Bag Groundplate a standard Touratech item/accessory? I don't see one in the Touratech catalogue. Do you have a reference number for it, or do you have to cut up an existing tank bag?

There will be no problem finding the straps and fastenings in Globetrotter Outdoor shop and I should be able to find a sewing guy (cobbler or motorcycle clothing repair place perhaps).

Thanks

Grey Beard

[sbn351]

I know its an old post....but very helpfull to me. Thanks!