Possible tool box idea - your thoughts? [Archive]

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 18:29

OK

i had a few spare hours today.

after i fitted a new water pump to my ute, i had a sit down and a beer, and spent a while looking at the tool back pack sitting on my bikes pack rack..

the problum with with this set up is, when i travel, all my tools tubes and pump, go in to a saddle bag, and thats a fair bit of weight on my poor bags.

so i thought about makeing a tool box to go on the back of the pack rack.

so beside all the hotwheels card board jokes, and the box getting wet and all my tools falling out the bottom.

your thoughts on my idea.
would it work, yes no.
was to become part of the rack.
this way, ill never leave home with out my tools.
even with a passenger, turning the rack around, still room to sit.

so have a look at the pics and share your views.

JMJ

hayd3n

9th July 2009, 18:35

warewolf

9th July 2009, 18:39

First thought: worst possible position for the (considerable) weight. Up high, rear-ward of the rear axle. At least it is close to the centreline of the bike.

Have you thought about the tool tubes ppl often mount at the bottom and forward of the front down tubes?

My heavy stuff always goes in the tank bag. Light, bulky stuff only goes on the rear rack.

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 18:48

in the box would be front / rear tubes, basic bit n pieces container, pump, and 3 spanners. for axles e.t.c
i also have the factory tool container under the rear guard, and i have a larger round tool container mounted on the paner rack.

yip had tought about the weight up high, it couldnt be make any smaller, to take my tools i allways carry in the back pack.

cheers for your time.

JMJ

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 18:51

get a old army ammunition box ,line the box with foam, they are water proof and sturdy!!
rivet some clips onto it walah instant tool box that clips on to pack rack!!
or a new one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Hunting-shooting/Accessories/Bags-cases/auction-228355886.htm

yes i guess even if i could get the two bigger items in there, its going to take a fair bit of weight of the saddle bags.
was hoping to have it all in one container.
and just leave it on the bike all the time.

hayd3n

9th July 2009, 18:53

you can get em bigger
but
15"L x 8"W x 10 is pretty big for a toolbox

JATZ

9th July 2009, 18:55

First thought: worst possible position for the (considerable) weight. Up high, rear-ward of the rear axle.

My thoughts exactly.....up high and tooooo far back

As Werewolf said, have you thought about a cylinder atached to the down tube, I've tried 100mm sewer pipe but it was too big, 80mm was about right, hell you could even put a small ammo box in front of the bash plate

johannvr

9th July 2009, 18:57

Does a Suzuki need such a big toolbox? :oi-grr:

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 18:58

ive got a mate, gavin, hes got the biggest collection of old army trucks, tanks and gear in the lower north island, so ill go see if hes got any old amo boxes.
i could turn the rack around, but i dont like my bags hanging out the back.
i lost a good pack that way, a few years ago..

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 19:00

My thoughts exactly.....up high and tooooo far back

be good for poping wheeles. :2thumbsup

JATZ

9th July 2009, 19:04

be good for poping wheeles. :2thumbsup

Yup, and you,ve got the tools to get you going again if and when you dick off :2thumbsup

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 19:10

thats why i gave up playing that game...

ive not got much room to add another tool tube.
on this side.

i have been looking at a few of the dakar skid plate desgins.

back to the drawing board aye chaps..

Pedrostt500

9th July 2009, 19:20

warewolf

9th July 2009, 19:21

Does a Suzuki need such a big toolbox? :oi-grr:Probably bigger if you want to fix 3rd gear on the roadside... :yes:

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 19:28

You could get a friendly Sheetie ( sheet metal basher) to make a box out of 2mm ali, welded corners, and a snug fitting lid.
Ive thought about raising the pack rack height by a few inches and making such a box to slide and attatch under the pack rack, like a draw, that can be locked shut.

yip thats the plan.
my mate builds alloy boats.
i make the desgin out of card board, and take it to him and he builds it.
thats how i got my skid plate made.

cheers for you thoughts.

Brainflex

9th July 2009, 20:33

On my old DR350 I fitted a stainless steel box to the downtubes in front of the engine using the top two bashplate mounting bolts. Keeps the weight low but tools need wrapping up. I used a sleeve made from an old tube.

babysteps

9th July 2009, 21:11

Ok then, why dont we do the group buy like on Adv Rider (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=435599&highlight=tool+tube)

Clicky (http://www.agrisupply.com/product.asp?pn=67670&bhcd2=1247130393)

http://www.agrisupply.com/images/500/67670.jpg

Underground

9th July 2009, 21:33

I've got one of those 'pak racks' somewhere , dont use it anymore as I have this picture in my mind of it someday landing on me and snapping my back in half :eek5:

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 21:35

did you make one like my box.

Underground

9th July 2009, 21:39

No I felt that the cardboard had durability issues .

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 22:06

its light, and will bend out wards to allow more stuff in side.

but i wouldnt like its chances in a spill....

say hi to the mussels for me...:2thumbsup

NordieBoy

9th July 2009, 22:15

i could turn the rack around, but i dont like my bags hanging out the back.
i lost a good pack that way, a few years ago..

Turn the rack around but keep the pack on the front.
It'll sit on the seat no prob.

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 22:28

Turn the rack around but keep the pack on the front.
It'll sit on the seat no prob.

ill have to do some more drinking...um thinking..about it.

ive still got to find some where for the little fire ext i got.

junkmanjoe

9th July 2009, 22:29

[QUOTE=babysteps;1129298278]Ok then, why dont we do the group buy like on Adv Rider (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=435599&highlight=tool+tube)

is a good idea, but i never fit my bits in pieces in there.

Padmei

10th July 2009, 07:35

I've thought about the toolbox idea for the past year. All the possible position scenarios never really worked properly. I ended up buying a green canvas tool bag (900 long but fold it in half) from M10 & put the tools in there then strapped it to the back rack.
Nordie always has quick access to the lil fiddly tools you need in a hurry. So I just ride with Nordie:clap:

Fred on tour had a good one on his bashplate but as you say by the time you fit 2 tubes in - no room.

Drink some more & keep us posted.

Crisis management

10th July 2009, 08:27

First point..take less junk, you should be able to get your tool kit in a bundle you can pick up in one hand (less the bulky items like tubes). I've always carried enough to repair most bits of the bike, change tubes, electric pump and a fire extinguisher in a toolbag that measures 300x200x150mm.
Second, mount as low as you can which your second idea is heading towards. Unfortunately bikes don't lend themselves to lots of spare space so you're doing the right thing tucking it under the side panel, I could never find anywhere better on the DR.
Another option might be a pelican case (cheaper chinese copy type) if the size works out but I suspect that weird shapes seem to be the norm to keep stuff tucked in on bikes.
You can do one for the 990 after you've practiced on your bike :bleh:...actually, come up with a good design for the DR and you're bound to sell a few in NZ.

cooneyr

10th July 2009, 08:39

....You can do one for the 990 after you've practiced on your bike :bleh:...actually, come up with a good design for the DR and you're bound to sell a few in NZ.

I'm sure you've done your reading CM but you do know about putting the tubes and other light weight bulky things in the front side pannels (rad shrouds). They are double skinned and you can easily slot the tubes in from the opening high up near the front without taking the inner skin off. It is a good excuse to loose the charcoal cannister (LHS) if you have it.

I've got all my tools, small can of CRC, hand pump, tyre leavers, tube patching kit, pressure gauge, a small bottle of chain oil and the factory alarm (anybody have instructions on how to use the damn thing?) under the seat. Only thing I've not stashed yet and will probably put in panniers/tail bag anyway is things like container of spare bolts, few links of spare chain and master links, bit of insulated wire etc. The KTM 9x0 Adv's are easy to hide stuff around compared to the DR.

Cheers R

junkmanjoe

10th July 2009, 09:32

okies chaps, all good ideas.
we be back on the shop floor today, as i nothing else to do any way...
i feel my tools are basic, for the possable jobs need, incase...:niceone:

Crisis management

10th July 2009, 09:46

I'm sure you've done your reading CM but you do know about putting the tubes and other light weight bulky things in the front side pannels (rad shrouds). They are double skinned and you can easily slot the tubes in from the opening high up near the front without taking the inner skin off. It is a good excuse to loose the charcoal cannister (LHS) if you have it.

I had a poke at that this morning (I had some vaque memory of stuff being hidden there) but couldn't see an obvious way in, I will look harder tonight. Don't talk to me about underseat storage, someone stuffed the ABS in there and used up all the space. :Oi:

cooneyr

10th July 2009, 10:02

I had a poke at that this morning (I had some vaque memory of stuff being hidden there) but couldn't see an obvious way in, I will look harder tonight. Don't talk to me about underseat storage, someone stuffed the ABS in there and used up all the space. :Oi:

Easiest to understand first time around if you take the pannels off and take the inners off. Mine still had the plastic moulded to hold the canniser (dont think one was ever put on it though) and the mouldings would not have done good things to a tube so they have been cut off.

ABS - whats that :bleh:

Cheers R

Quasievil

10th July 2009, 10:08

When we had Holger and Anja here a year ago (they are touring the world on BMW650s still going in Alaska currently) holger had cut back the False tail pipe and rebuilt another one which was basically a ali tube used for tools storage, he also had one sitting low on the front of the bash plate behind the front wheel, this was where the heavy stuff went.

HenryDorsetCase

10th July 2009, 10:13

I have thought about getting a Pelican box for that sort of stuff. Pelican boxes are great if expensive.

NordieBoy

10th July 2009, 11:17

I have thought about getting a Pelican box for that sort of stuff. Pelican boxes are great if expensive.

The fake pelicans are muuuuuch cheaper.

junkmanjoe

10th July 2009, 11:28

who sells them, oh great nord master...

NordieBoy

10th July 2009, 11:37

No idea. But if you find one let me know :D

I think Bunnings do something like them but not their Nelson shop.

Eddieb

10th July 2009, 11:48

Haven't seen them in the Upper Hutt Bunnings or Lower Hutt Mitre 10 Mega either.

Some of the engineering tool supply shops sell them. Heaps cheaper than pelicans but bright orange.

Otherwise there's a army surplus just down the road from my place Joe. They normally have a selection of ammunition containers.

cooneyr

10th July 2009, 12:21

Doesnt Pete(insert some numbers here???) on a modern KLR have some fake pelicans for panniers? I'd heard that some engineering tools shops sell them as Kingchrome cases. Never seen any round Chch though.

Cheers R

Eddieb

10th July 2009, 13:12

Thats the Brand I was trying to remember what it was.

I've had a look at their range online and they don't do decent side-pannier sized ones like pelican do though.

junkmanjoe

10th July 2009, 14:48

No idea. But if you find one let me know :D

I think Bunnings do something like them but not their Nelson shop.

these guys do, but there not cheap..

http://www.safetyandrescue.co.nz/shop.html

theres a few on tm, at the moment.

if i put a biright orange one on the back, might help people to see me...

well was just have a looky round the house.
and came across this case.

what ya all think..its right colour.
well off course be mounted safely.

some of you will rember i lost my tool bag on big river, so i want to sort a soultion for this problum...

JATZ

10th July 2009, 18:14

O.M.G. thats sooooo yellow

I have a pencil case with enough tools to do most jobs, about the only things not in it are the chain breaker, pump, and tubes.
I just worked out exactly what I needed, could probly get away with just one tube too, patches are in the pencil case.
I figure if I can;t fix it with what I've got then it's probly serious

junkmanjoe

10th July 2009, 19:14

yea you possably right.. maybe i should just scrap the whole idea and have another hiny....you want one...:niceone:

JATZ

10th July 2009, 19:17

yea you possably right.. maybe i should just scrap the whole idea and have another hiny....you want one...:niceone:

Yeah O.K. while your up

twotyred

10th July 2009, 19:19

yea you possably right.. maybe i should just scrap the whole idea and have another hiny....you want one...:niceone:

looks the ticket,give it a trial run,screw the naysayers!:niceone:

if it doesn't work out you just take it off...nothing ventured,nothing gained

dino3310

10th July 2009, 19:32

while your up mate i'll have one.
oh and Grab the chips too

junkmanjoe

10th July 2009, 20:38

oh fuk dino i just sat down....:niceone:

i could mount a high level stop light on top as well...

JATZ

10th July 2009, 20:56

oh fuk dino i just sat down....:niceone:

i could mount a high level stop light on top as well...

Like 2tyred said, give it a go and see how you like it, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Beers due for a refresh too :apint:

junkmanjoe

10th July 2009, 21:43

mate you drink like a fish.... :apint:

it looks a bit dorky...:blank:

Woodman

10th July 2009, 21:47

Joe me old China, What tools do you carry? cos that tool box seems pretty big to me.

junkmanjoe

10th July 2009, 22:17

it just me tupper ware container, 3 spanners for axles, two tubes and foot pump, for my baby love doll, with vibrating tits...you want to borrow her..

Woodman

11th July 2009, 08:29

it just me tupper ware container, 3 spanners for axles, two tubes and foot pump, for my baby love doll, with vibrating tits...you want to borrow her..

I know of a few good tracks where there is little chance of being disturbed.

junkmanjoe

11th July 2009, 09:26

im a going to scrap this idea...

this thread is closed, because its a stupid idea.....and i worked out that Jatz is a fish and woody wants my baby love doll.....Hmmm :niceone:

thanks chaps.

warewolf

11th July 2009, 10:12

it just me tupper ware container, 3 spanners for axles, two tubes and foot pump, for my baby love doll, with vibrating tits...you want to borrow her..How many axles you got? (or does your pneumatic lover have a feature I've never considered:gob:)
You really only need to carry 1 tube, the second is a heavy bulky thing to be carrying everywhere. Ditch the foot pump in favour of a mini mtb pump. A mere fraction of the size and weight. This stuff is going to be carried a lot and used little, so sacrificing 'ideal/optimal' for low weight & low bulk is worthwhile.

All my tools fit in a bum bag about 250x100 diameter. Nearly half the bulk is a standard-weight 21" tube bound tightly with laccy bands. Tyre levers, axle spanners, leatherman, puncture kit, metal putty, hose for syphoning, cable ties, duct tape, small shifter, gloves/rags, screwdrivers, sockets, allen keys, spark plug tool, shock preload adjuster. Spare chain links and master link, chain tool. Tow/haul strap (4-6m of 25mm webbing). Several of the list are combined into the one tool, so the total is smaller and lighter than the sum of the parts. Needle-nose vice grips would be a useful addition. Mobile phone to call if more is required. :niceone:

If you are riding in a group, if everyone carries a small amount, the group can survive. Everyone should carry any tools specific to their bike, too. You don't want one person in the group to carry a lot of stuff, and others none. This goes for pretty much any time you are in the field: tramping, hunting, cycling, adv... whatever.

If your small amount covers the bare essentials, it will also work for short solo forays. Essentials means being able to fix the common stuff and/or showstoppers that only need small tools eg broken chain.

junkmanjoe

11th July 2009, 11:01

thanks for kind wisdom...notes taken, and will later be looking in to skinying up things a little..or a lot..

Woodman

11th July 2009, 16:31

chain and chainbreaker, will pop them in good idea Colin. I carry 2 tubes and a puncture repair kit, allen keys, the spanners that are relevant, spark plug spanner, lots of cable ties, knead it, knife, insulation tape, a survival bag, and various other stuff in me pockets that surprises me occaisionally when I find it. Also have spare levers permanently cable tied to the frame. Most of it is in a little bag bungied to the back, access is a pain, but then hopefully I won't have to use any of it.

junkmanjoe

11th July 2009, 19:23

ive been working on a soultion, and will be getting closer tomorrow,
when ya think about it theres a few spaces on ya bike that are right in front of ya face...

NordieBoy

11th July 2009, 21:51

ive been working on a soultion, and will be getting closer tomorrow,
when ya think about it theres a few spaces on ya bike that are right in front of ya face...

That's your chin guard you numpty.

junkmanjoe

11th July 2009, 22:05

you are a sweet man deep down aye...

dino3310

12th July 2009, 07:49

if you know a plastic fabricator you could put a hidden compartment in your tank like a glove box mate, for tools though not illegal contraband

junkmanjoe

12th July 2009, 13:10

oh no couldnt do that... shell i bring you some nice home bakeing...wink wink..
cookies and cake my freind..:rolleyes:

Padmei

12th July 2009, 19:10

Mate check this out

Orange crate (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4488660&postcount=3)

That looks like fun

12th July 2009, 19:28

Now heres a thought :clap:

Subike

12th July 2009, 19:29

junkmanjoe

12th July 2009, 19:46

was think along theses lines. this looks ok..

yip them skid plates are quite neat..

ive nearly finished my new set up..pics to come...

dino3310

12th July 2009, 20:09

bugga that mate youll b the wheelie king:lol:

have a looksey at these mate, some primo tins
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=all&searchString=ammo+tin&type=Search

That looks like fun

12th July 2009, 20:23

Just a thought after looking at ya pic, If you put a pipe from the end of the muffler pointing slightly rearward and towards the ground, by keeping the throttle at full it will (according to Einstien) create an equal and opposite reaction, this will surley assist in keeping the front wheel planted firmly :niceone: Also should you choose to undersling another box beneath the rear most one the hot exhaust gases wont burn a hole in it :clap:

junkmanjoe

14th July 2009, 16:33

ok its all done.

all packed away nicely,
i had a piece of no shatter perspex, left over from my rally car...
so mounted to pack rack, and every thing is bolted to this.

tubes in bags under packrack,
tools on left side, brought a new container,and made a canvas bag.
pump on the right side, made up a canvas bag for that.
doctors box on the back,
fire ext,
and drinky bottle, for when i get lost in the desert.

so you like.....:done:

dino3310

14th July 2009, 20:17

shit is that extinguisher gonna b big enough for that amont of fuel mate:laugh:

junkmanjoe

14th July 2009, 20:31

ill never let you ride my bike mate.....you a mean man....
hay if that much fuel goes up..... i think all of nz will know, and most of aussy....as well

Crisis management

14th July 2009, 21:23

looks good Joe, I'm glad (and you will be...) that you lost a bit of the weight and everything looks well tucked in.

:Punk::Punk:

junkmanjoe

14th July 2009, 21:34

thanks for your thoughts.
i had an old large toyota tool bag.
so i choped it up and made to smaller bags.
first aid is easy to get to now.just in case.
i had a 1kg fire ext, bottle but to big. that one was $28 from foresty shop.
might need it one day, hope not...
will test every thing out this weekend. as next weekend we go north...

the best thing about this set up, is dosnt affect my big pack or sadle bags...

sweet.

dino3310

15th July 2009, 22:06

hey mate i got an extinguisher it sonly .5kg i used to wear it on my felling belt when i was in the bush, its perfect for the bike.
its called a : Lumberjack X-tinguish. for chainsaws and motorcycles.
distributed by: Radnor NZ, po box 5139, rotorua 0800 147 236.
i dont know if they still going ive had mine for about 7 years.
its a perfect size you can strap it on anywhere even in ya tank bag.