Army Surplus Luggage

[Mr. Guy]

Hi All,

While looking around my local favorite surplus store I came across a box full of Austrian military rucksacks for $5.95 a piece. Being a cheapo, I thought they might make good saddlebags. So I bought 2 and a south Korean duffel bag. These are like the U.S. duffel bag but 20% or so smaller. So out the door with 3 bags for less than $20, can I make it work. In the first photo you see the back of the rucksack and the removable straps. I cut the straps apart and sown an extra clip on the other end, thereby making it possible to clip the 2 bags together. On the inside of the bag was a little pocket on the back for padding, so I cut a piece of scrap 1/4" plywood to fit for a stiffener. and bags were done. Tie them to the bike and ready to go. In the second photo you see all 3 bags on my DR with my Dirt-Bagz for comparison. The rucksacks are a little bigger and being top loading a lot easier to get into. The last 2 photos are with just the surplus bags. They will defenently haul a good load and have the stealth factor than no will believe you have anything good in those crappy bags. Not bad for 20 bucks and a couple hours time.

Thanks, Guy

[Trailace]

They look Great I need to go check out the surplus store.

[Mellow]

That's pretty cool... Thanks.

[mongo]

Good job, I like those better than the dirtbagz

[braindead0]

Looks great.... If you decide your willing and able to pick some up for resale to the poor slobs here... I'm in for 4.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi All,

I'm kind of surprised at this response, I half did this as a joke. I called the store and they don't do enough mail order to make it worth there while. So any one interested, send me an e-mail with shipping address and how many you want, within reason, I'll pick them up and send them to you with an addressed envelope. Just enclose my cost for the bags plus shipping and drop it in the mail. I'll keep this up till they run out or someone stiffs me for the bags, that whole foul me twice thing. Another option would be google search "army surplus" and you should come up with all kinds of places to get bags like these.

http://buy.cheaperthandirt.com/buydefault.asp

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/default.asp?kwtid=4322

These are two good options, I have order from both and received good service.

Thanks, Guy

p.s. If you get some or already have some cheap bags post a pic. We'll make this the official cheap bag thread.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Guy that sure is a good looking DR you have. I will have to head to the local surplus store and see if I can score a pair or two of those rucksacks. I think they would work well on the ATV as well.

[braindead0]

e-mail sent ;-)

Thanks for the offer.

[Jetfixer]

Hey those are perfect! I think I could actually load up all my camping gear with that setup.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Jetfixer,

If you get back up to Tinker, stop by Brigadoon Military Surplus 1805 S. Sunnylane Rd. If you leave post by the N. Air Depot gate turn left (west) on SE 29th street, go 2 miles to Sunnylane, turn right (north) go 3/4 mile and the store is on the left. I've known Mark and Rita a long time. They own a good store. All kinds of bags. You should be able to find something you like there.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

I kinda hate to do this to ya, but I found this on the web and if your looking for more capacity this might work better for you.

http://www.majorsurplus.com/German-Ranger-Mountain-Rucksack-P14890.aspx

It looks like it should mount just as easy.

Thanks, Guy

[Jetfixer]

Thanks Guy, I'll check it out next time I'm up there. I checked out the store here in Abilene and they didn't have any bags I liked. They had some nice duffles tho. I'll have to rig up a heat shield for the KLR exhaust before putting bags on. The pipe is right where the bag need to hang.
I shaved the seat this weekend, just the front half to make it dip like a cruiser seat. It's a lot more comfortable and got me a little lower. I'll be ready to take it camping soon. I'm taking off this weekend on the vulcan unless I can get everything done on the KLR.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Jetfixer,

Most of the rigs I've seen, the owners have just bent up some flat bar stock, say 1/8"x2"x as long as you need, to clear the muffler. Usually bolted up to one of the rear rack bolts. If I can find a pic I'll post it.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Jetfixer,

I found this on another board, but it gives you an idea of what I was talking about.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4722555&highlight=luggage+rack#post4722555

If I find more I'll edit to include here.

I found this pic, just a piece of pipe but might keep your bags off the muffler.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

Hi All,

The first batch will be with UPS tomorrow. I'll ship ground so should be there next week.

Guy

[braindead0]

Got mine yesterday, thanks again Mr. Guy for doing the work on this. Not only did he include a SASE.. it's the kind that doesn't require licking! Now that's thoughtful! The included instructions will prove to be really handy as well.

For those folks who don't want to sew to make the straps, I simply cut off the front straps from the shoulder harness (I think they were front, longest ones). Then I removed the clip from the shortest, removed the adjuster from the longest and then attached the now loose clip to the end of the longest strap (that already has a clip on the other end) using an adjuster like so:

http://gallery.diablops.com/d/4613-3/buckle.jpg

It'll still be adjustable, no sewing required. It seems to be plenty strong in this configuration.

[mongo]

I reciieved my package also, Haven't started putting them together yet just looking at aluminum barstock, trying to get several ideas together before I start on the frame.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi All,

How's your projects coming along.

Guy

[braindead0]

Haven't got around to making supports yet. Probably be waiting until things warm up a bit around here, easier to weld/braze if the metal isn't 25degrees ;-)

[Trailace]

Hi All,

How's your projects coming along.

Guy
Still thinking!

[Mr. Guy]

Checks got here today. Thanks, Guy

[braindead0]

Checks got here today. Thanks, GuyExcellent! Nothing quite as pleasing as a smooth transaction...okay, well some things... but I'll not mention them here.

[Mr. Guy]

Hey has anybody got pics of they're bags yet? I'd like to see them.

Thanks, Guy

[mongo]

Hey has anybody got pics of they're bags yet? I'd like to see them.

Thanks, Guy

Sorry Guy I have been doing home remodeling (with exception of one trip) and haven't fooled with mine yet.

[Jetfixer]

I still haven't gotten any. I went to the surplus store here in Abilene and they didn't have anything I liked. I'll have to wait for another OKC trip and get some like yours. I've been riding the crap out of the KLR lately.

[Mr. Guy]

Oh Boy home remodeling. :)
I've been doing a little painting around here too.
Guy

[Mr. Guy]

Hey, did anyone ever use these?

Guy

[Trailace]

Not yet.

[2.0Dogs]

I started with a couple of German gas mask bags for small stuff. They are totally water proof and cheap four for ten bucks. Added a single Aussie ruck for rain gear, jacket and helmet shield. Working on adding German rucks to the mix. I was going to order two more Aussie's but they were out. So I went with the German rucks. Glad I did, they are larger. Still have some bugs to work out but this old military stuff will do the job and do it at very low cost. Hey I'm not cheap, I'm frugal. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get the job done.

[sawguard]

My army surplus is a pair of 20 mm ammo boxes, metal, heavy duty industrial, completely waterproof, double as rear crash guards(and they saved my leg once), lockable and cheap. $15 each, about $20 for shipping, about $10 for
misc. hardware, mounted on my Givi racks.

[Trailace]

Nice paint job they look great.

[Black and Blue]

sawguard;

Those look great. IronHeadZiggy76 had almost the same set up on his V-Strom on our Alaska trip and I thought they looked and worked wonderful.

Nothing like good 'ol ammo boxes; we have them attached all over the sidecars of the Urals. When we get back from a trip, we just unbolt them and take them off and the rigs look sleek again (or, at least as "sleek" as a Ural can look ;)).

[bigTom]

Here's my newest addition, a genuine DOD 9 strap stuff sack. This has my big, cold weather sleeping bag in it, and it really reduces the size. And look at all the places it has to tie on to and tie stuff on to it!

$15.00 delivered on E Bay. I like it a lot.

[JohnWilson]

Hi, You have showing the great army surplus stuff here. I am using a Army surplus luggage and that is fantastic.

[bigTom]

Hey, John, Welcome!

It gets better...Someplace is a spot where pictures exist of Ammo Can panniers. Seems I have a set myself:)

Glad you are here!

[SidecarMike]

Hey, John, Welcome!

It gets better...Someplace is a spot where pictures exist of Ammo Can panniers. Seems I have a set myself:)

Glad you are here!
This belongs to a friend of mine from Illinois

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/SidecarMike/Guzzi/gap6.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/SidecarMike/Guzzi/gap4.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/SidecarMike/Guzzi/crash1.jpg

[braindead0]

lean angle indicators no less.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi John,

Welcome to the site. I was looking at your site and wondered if you ship to the US?

Guy