Found Some Soft Saddlebags-Cheap

[Sharpie]

I was in Wallymart today and stumbled on these in the bicycle section. They appear to be waterproof, well made, have internal rigid plastic on the back and bottom and come with all kinds of web tie down attach points. In the picture, the right one is stuffed with some plastic bags and rags. I have them about 3/4 full...maybe less. They hold alot :eek: $22.00...That's right, Twenty. Two. Bucks !! These particular Schwinn panniers are not listed on Walmart's website ?
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=672
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=673
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=674
Bonus: They have alot of reflective taping on them too!
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=675


I also picked up a pair of ATV tank bags made by Stearns (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10928528&sourceid=1500000000000003260410&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10928528) for $18.80. They don't appear to waterproof (I'll douse them with Camp Dry) but look like they will fit the bill for my uses. With the weird shape of the KLR tank I separated the bages (hook and loop straps) and bound them to my rad shroud guards (nerf bars).

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=676
Here's the over the tank part-
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=677

Off to Home Depot to look for some flat stock so I can fabricate a crude mount for the saddlebags. I'll post pics of that when I'm done. Promise not to laugh! :p

PS: If you haven't guessed, I'm rather careful with $$ ;)

[Trailace]

They look great just might have to go check them out. Been thinking about adding a bag to the right side on my 650.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Good find Warren, I wish our crappy Wallyworld carried things like this.

Warren, nothing wrong with being careful with the $$s. Since the wife quit her job I have to be careful also. She needs to get another job! :p

[Capt_Gruuvy]

Those look great Warren. No reason to excuse the $$$, if you spent more you'd be scared to use them. Besides anyone can order something out of a catalog and fit something "made" for their motor to it.

Creativity and Genius are the bi-product of Situations that make us think.

I'll give you a "75". Good idea, good look, just can't quite dance to it. P^

[BJFazio]

I like the looks of the Stearns bags. Heading to Wally's this morning to check them out. Thanks.

[Sharpie]

Fab'd up some brackets using 3/4" flat stock. There is definitely a difference in bolt geometry on the KLR from one side to the other. The non-pipe side came out ok.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=678

The pipe side will have to be re-done. The top bolt hole was drilled off center. It's hard to drill centered holes w/out a drill press :o
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=679

W/out the bars the bags seem to be too loose fitting and I think would flap around at hwy speeds. Also, the pipe will more than likely burn through the right one without it being held away from it.

The bars are pretty stout (which is good) I need to figure out a way to hold the bags to them w/out too many straps and being relatively easy to remove. I have a few ideas that include bolts and wingnuts....

When the bars are completed I think I'll Rino Coat them black to hide them a bit. ;)

[Dstrickland]

I was going to ask about that. Does it give the pipe side bag any grief with heat from the exhaust? I too was curious how you were going to attach them to the brackets? They do look like they'll work pretty good after you trouble shoot the mounting and protection from the exhaust. Good find.

[Sharpie]

I was going to ask about that. Does it give the pipe side bag any grief with heat from the exhaust? I too was curious how you were going to attach them to the brackets? They do look like they'll work pretty good after you trouble shoot the mounting and protection from the exhaust. Good find.

I believe there's enough clearance at the exhaust to not melt the bag now.

I decided on using a small rectangular cutting board to bolt to the bars using wing nuts for fast on/off. I have some industrial strength 2 inch wide Velcro that I can afix the bag to the flat side of the board. This should give the bag the rigidity it seeks :) on all four sides. I didn't want to drill through the flimsy plastic inside the bag for various reasons. Mainly water intrusion. I believe it will be quite stable with a web strap between the two bags over the seat(aka a catastrophic failure strap :eek:).

There are two metal hooks at the top of the bags on the bike side (I suppose to hang over a bicycle luggage rack). I bent them down a bit so the across the seat web strap can hook under them.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=680

I've done one side with the cutting board and it's sturdy. I'm working on the other side now.

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=681

I hope I can get away with using only one strap and four wing nuts. It would make life a lot easier. :D I'll post some pics of the final contraption.

It looks kinda cheesy but, hey, it is a KLR :p

[bigTom]

Looks just perfect on the KLR.

[Sharpie]

Looks just perfect on the KLR.P^
:D

Well, I'm done with this project. The bags are sturdily mounted (I don't think I'll be riding Baja with them though) and are attached with 4 wing nuts and one web strap.

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=682

I think there is enough clearance between the pipe and the nylon parts :confused:

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=683

and I was able to get them somewhat level and in the same plane.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=684
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=44&pictureid=685

Materials:

1 set of Wally bags (Schwinn Bicycle Panniers)...$22.00 (Walmart)
1 piece of 3/4" galvanized steel flatstock 4' long...$2.50 (Home Depot)
2 plastic cutting boards 8.5x11"........................$4.00 (Walmart)
1 2inch wide industrial strength Velcro 4' long.......$8.00 (Home Depot)
4 SS 1/4"x3/4" cap head bolts...........................$3.00 (Home Depot)
4 SS 1.4" wing nuts.........................................$3.00 (Home Depot)
1 1inch wide adjustable web strap 6' long............$1.50 (Walmart)
Donations to cuss jar.......................................$$$$$
Total............................................. ................$44.00

Time spent: ~ 5 hours

Now I have more places to put camping stuff !

[bigTom]

That looks great! Nice do.

I'm sure you have plenty of clearance between the pipe and the bag back. I made a bag protector out of a street sign when the original jumped off:)

[Ripshod]

That's fantastic work, Sharpie. Like the Capt. said, anyone can order stuff. The smart ones see uncommon potential in common things. Good find and great job!