The forum's looking quite 'green' lately. Need some RED!

[namtip]

Well it's been a while since I last posted anything. I haven't ridden for ages and today was the first time in too long. Since I last posted, I've fitted MT Pocket's rear panniers, some front pannier donuts from an MT350, an oil cannister holder I made from a pipe section, some Oxford heated grips, a tank bag, and I've recently come across a 10 litre jerry can which fits nicely into the pannier. I'm slowly gearing up for a possible trip around Iceland I'd like to do next summer.



Not sure about how to secure the jerry can in place. I've got a bungee for now but ideally I'd like something lockable, like a swing arm over and around that padlocks to the frame somewhere. Also I'm not sure about how to lock the filler neck - there is a tab with a hole there, but no way of easily padlocking it to anything. Maybe someone can advise? You can also see the oil cannister holder I made. It's just a bit of plastic pipe sprayed black with stainless nuts bolts and a worm drive clamp all attached to the pannier frame. When I get the engine sorted maybe I can even use this for a water bottle instead! (Maybe not... )



My petrol cap went a bit rusty over winter. Will have to paint it or lacquer it or something. Unless there's a stainless steel one available that fits... any ideas?



I was so tired of seeing expensive, ridiculously over-priced tank bags in motorcycle shops. This is actually a bicycle pannier bag which would normally go on the rear of a bicycle. Its straps fit perfectly onto the donut spars. I snapped it up in a charity shop for £4 . It's even pretty waterproof .



Not sure about the windshield at the moment - looks a bit naff and isn't the sturdiest of things. I might swap it for a front rack I've seen on here. Not sure who does them, but I'd definitely be interested in buying one...



I plan on getting a sturdier top-box soon too. I found these guys the other day - look quite promising for anyone wanting an ally topbox, not sure about the price - seems ok for aluminium - some plastic ones are more expensive than this... what do you think? http://www.zenoverland.com/hard_luggage ... opbox.html



I've also just bought 250 white LEDs off of fleabay. Indicator and rear-light conversion soon with possibly enough left to make some front visibilty lamps too - watch this space

[ZIP TIE]

Looking good
How have you done the front mountings for the donuts are they drilled and sleeved through the front down tube like the 350?

[namtip]

Thanks Zip Tie. I was too chicken to drill through and weld in a sleeve, so they're held in place only by the bottom brackets (I had to modify the 500's 'O' shaped tubular bash frame for the 'V' bracket though). They feel very solid as they are, so if I ever get round to getting a pair of pannier boxes and as long as I don't load them too heavily, I don't think it'll be a problem. I also would like some tabs welded on the bike's frame to accommodate the spars from the pannier brackets - at the moment they're held on by some ally clamps I made out of strips bent around the bike frame. If you look closely you might be able to see it a bit peeping out from behind the plastic side panel.

[bth2bth2]

i like it .....shame about the colour though
i would be tempted to make the dohnuts etc removable ,as you have done, so that it can be returned to stock when / if required.
any chance of some close ups?
i held my jerry can on with a cycle combination lock,the thicker type.search oxford combi lock.

brian

[woodruff]

Hi Colin, good to see the beast is still in active service and going well

I was just thinking the other day what had happened to you.

I am currently re painting my rebuild a non standard colour and await all the associated insults

Otto

[Wirralman]

I am currently re painting my rebuild a non standard colour

Shame on you, you haven't been talking to Minter have you ? He usually is a bad influence on people.

and await all the associated insults

I just thought I'd get in first


N B I'll forgive you almost any paintscheme Otto- apart from psuedo camouflage or animal look-alike
Eric

[woodruff]

I think you will approve Eric. Not any urban leopard skin camo look; I cant say I am a fan of the civilian owned ex army bike in Harlem look either...

Each to their own, but do draw the line at Minters workshop clothing line.