Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > TRAVEL Hints and Tips
Get boxes with removable tops - not with hinges Get boxes with removable tops - not with hinges
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Jun 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Here and there
Posts: 44
Get boxes with removable tops - not with hinges
Get boxes with removable tops - not with hinges. This allows you a) get
inside the boxes without taking the stuff you inevitably have attached on top
of the center of the bike b) you can use these tops as trays or work surfaces
for cutting food (My Tesch boxes are unfortunately the hinge ones)

------------------
Grant March
"Live as if your life depended on it!"
__________________
Grant March
"Live as if your life depended on it!"
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Feb 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: London
Posts: 161
Glad I saw this tip - I'm getting some panniers made. I was going to go for hinges but now I won't. Thanks.
__________________
If a thing is worth doing, it\'s worth doing to extremes.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Apr 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nantes, France
Posts: 392
Now what would be nice is lids designed to be 90 degrees to the boxes so as to form a perfect tray when the box is open. Hinges would mean the tray formed by the open box is at hand height rather than on the ground in the dirt or balanced precariously on your seat ready to fall.
__________________
Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Apr 2004
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
You can have the best of both worlds: I bought some boxes from www.OffTheRoad.de which have removable hinges. You slide the lids out of the hinges sideways. Cost about €210 for a pair. They're not the strongest, I guess, but then I'm not going to blat through the Sahara.

My left one got hit by a French fire truck and crumpled and got a 10cm hole. It got beaten back into shape, selaed with tar paper on the inside and is still in use today.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Apr 2004
POB/London's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London / IOW
Posts: 486
Hello!

I have the same boxes as the Off The Road ones. I got mine from a shop in the UK - they look exactly the same, but have "free xXx" stamped on them. Try looking that up on the Internet!

I rivetted a 4mm sheet of ally onto the back of each one, and I' using the 18mm TTech hoops and attachments. The lids lift to 90 degrees and then slide off.



Look here for a pic:
----------------------------------
link broken, so deleted by Grant

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 09 October 2005).]
__________________
=-=-= ON THE EDGE! =-=-=
My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Oct 2005
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
One day I'll learn not to buy stuff over the phone or on the net: just received a new pair of panniers from Off-The-Road to replace the above mentioned ones, as the old ones are a little buckled, but, more importantly, the new ones are bigger and my other half (who is now using them) needed more space.

Shock!

The panniers we got are substantially different from the ones pictured on the web site. In particular, lower and wider, requiring a major rack rebuild the evening before her departure, hinges now fixed and seams overlapping and spot welded instead of welded right through. So, please note:

No more removable hinges on OTR's panniers.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9 Oct 2005
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
Hey guys, check out the panniers i built at this link www.mrron.smugmug.com. Just click the panniers photo's. Mine are made with weld-on aluminium hinges. These have been vey durable so far.
You will need to click the your photo's icon when you open the link.

[This message has been edited by Mr. Ron (edited 09 October 2005).]

-----------------------------
bad link fixed by Grant


[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 09 October 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Oct 2005
gyuris's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: QUITO, ECUADOR
Posts: 36

Check out the Jesse Oddissey Bags:

(http://www.jesseluggage.com/odyssey.html#how)

They have the 90 degree lid opening feature, which I use occasionally as a convenient almost waist-high tray. Thanks to its design, it will support quite a large weight too. IMO they are the best of both worlds. Also, you can lash and leave things on top of the lids (with the optional Lid Rack) while still be able to open them to rumage inside the saddle bag. I do it all the time.

Hinges are definitely stronger and more secure when closing. I have seen too many unhinged lids come flying off at the first few hard pot holes on the road.



[This message has been edited by gyuris (edited 20 October 2005).]
__________________
Ride On!

A.T.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 16 Feb 2006
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
For more on how Off The Road does business see here
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Last edited by Grant Johnson; 5 Oct 2006 at 11:44. Reason: Update link - old HUBB to new HUBB Address.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 17 Feb 2006
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Great tip, planning to build my own panniers. I especially liked the idea of hinges where one can slide the lid off sideways.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Mar 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Leeds Yorks
Posts: 44
This might not be an earth shattering revelation but it is definitely a plan so cunning,you could tie a tale to it and call it a weasel!(All plaudits to Black Adder) A solution to the 'hinge/not hinge scene has to be a slide-out hinge pin with an 'R'clip on the end.........best of both worlds.Have fun
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:41.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top