Metal containers for panniers

[Steam]

Has anyone seen any of these around, they are called "Mermite" containers.
They are used to hold cold food in the US army.
I'd like a couple to make into panniers.

Alternatively, does anyone have some biggish metal containers I could use to convert into panniers?

ta!

[Zukin]

Has anyone seen any of these around, they are called "Mermite" containers.
They are used to hold cold food in the US army.
I'd like a couple to make into panniers.

Alternatively, does anyone have some biggish metal containers I could use to convert into panniers?

ta!

Do you want them from here (NZ) or in OZ when you get over there

Cheers Scott

[Zukin]

This is a good start if you want them in OZ
http://www.ozsurplus.com.au/

or any good army surplus store can help

[Steam]

Do you want them from here (NZ) or in OZ when you get over there

Cheers Scott

Aargle, I wasn't thinking, so probably Oz. Not a lot of point asking on this forum then eh!
Yeah, I'll probably look around at surplus stores once I get there.

[pete376403]

I tried looking on e-bay - according to people on advrider.com, they were available and cheap, but it seems that the military restoration guys have sucked up just about all the supply. Other problem would be freight from the US, one supplier quoted me around $US150 each - for a $SU50 container. Got some Pelican lookalikes instead, $99 from Bunnings

[carbacca]

at the antiques arm show at henderson a while back, there was a dealer trying to flog off a massive pile of mortar shell carrying cases at $15 a pop i think. they're big-ish to hold the shell might be what youre looking for.

[Steam]

at the antiques arm show ... there was a dealer trying to flog off a massive pile of mortar shell carrying cases ...

Yes they were in Wellington too, super cheap at $10 each. Attached is a photo of what they look like on the bike. They are the LAV main cannon shell cases. But they were really heavy, maybe about 6 or 7 kilos for the box alone. The Gun Shop in Petone sells them too, and the owner is a biker too, has about 4 bikes I think.

...but it seems that the military restoration guys have sucked up just about all the supply.... Got some Pelican lookalikes instead, $99 from Bunnings

I asked the army surplus shop listed above if they have any, they call them Hot Boxes over in Oz, but they haven't been able to stock any because the Aussie army destroys its stuff instead of selling it nowdays!

Thanks for the Bunnings tip, might have a look to see if they are tough enough. They have to be able to stand up to a pounding on the rough.

The other option is to make my own, shouldn't be too hard with a cutting disc on my power-drill then a pop-riveter. The only problem would be folding the aluminium tidily. I hear 1.5mm alu is thick enough, some guy did a review of his he made then took around South America, and they worked well made from 1.5mm.

[FROSTY:Me]

Dude if ya just want black panniers i'm hauling a set off of an XJ750 soon they look the same ish

[Steam]

Dude if ya just want black panniers i'm hauling a set off of an XJ750 soon they look the same ish

I shall PM you with questions

[pete376403]

!Thanks for the Bunnings tip, might have a look to see if they are tough enough. They have to be able to stand up to a pounding on the rough..

Pelicans (the genuine thing) are nigh on indestructible. Guaranteed so by the makers, and used for transport of high value video, photo, computer and instrumentation equipment. And priced accordingly. The Chinese made equivalent units I got are marketed by an Aussie co under the Kincrome brand. Bunnings rebadge these and sell them quite a bit cheaper. For example, in NZ this place http://www.kens.co.nz/product.php?item=391 sells Pelican 1550s for $NZ468. The Kincrome equivalent is the "large safe case " and sells for $A128.40 http://www.transquip.com.au/product.aspx?ID=4259. Bunnings rebadge this as "Craftech" and their NZ price is $99. I bought 2 atthe Porirua store. The size is within a few mm (plus or minus) of the peli 1550. Of course you'll have to find some way of hanging them on the bike. The Pelis *might* take a greater impact than the Bunnings ones but I think you'd have to pick your crash pretty carefully to see a difference. The other benefit of the Pelicans is that there is a very large range of sizes, but there are only 4 sizes in the Kkincrome/Craftech range

[clint640]

Thanks for the Bunnings tip, might have a look to see if they are tough enough. They have to be able to stand up to a pounding on the rough.

The other option is to make my own, shouldn't be too hard with a cutting disc on my power-drill then a pop-riveter. The only problem would be folding the aluminium tidily. I hear 1.5mm alu is thick enough, some guy did a review of his he made then took around South America, and they worked well made from 1.5mm.

If making your own the trick would be to buy the alu from a sheetmetal place, cut it out then take it back for them to bend it. But at $200 for the pair those bunnings pelican copies look good, I think I'll make up a set out of them one day, by the time you'd got the alu, rivets, hinges, latches, handles etc to make metal ones you could easily spend $200.

One thing to think about when attaching them to the bike is having a breakaway attachment so if you do crash you just have to replace a plastic tab or similar (carry spares) rather than the whole setup getting munted.

Cheers
Clint

[pete376403]

I didn't mention the kincrome / bunnings items only come in bright yellow. Great if you have a DR, maybe a bit gaudy otherwise. I'm going to spray mine (probably black) and leave some of the yellow showing for visibility. Pelicans do come in a range of colours

[ZeroIndex]

OMG not this again... What poor innocent bike is gonna get ratted this time?

[Steam]

...only come in bright yellow....

Tough equipment like that is expected to be ugly, it almost seems compulsory. Bulldozer = YELLOW! Pannier case = YELLOW! It's appropriate.

Anyway, I went and had a look but the ones they had are a bit too small. They really are tough-feeling, they can't be too much weaker than the proper Pelicans. And they have holes for padlocks too.
I'd definitely recommend them to tourers.

[clint640]

I didn't mention the kincrome / bunnings items only come in bright yellow. Great if you have a DR, maybe a bit gaudy otherwise. I'm going to spray mine (probably black) and leave some of the yellow showing for visibility. Pelicans do come in a range of colours

Yeah, I saw the KTM orange pelicans they would definitely look good on my rig, then I saw the price... around $750ea I've never minded paying a little extra for quality but 7x+ as much is a bit steep. With an orange bike, yellow luggage & my new bright red jacket I would definitely be a mobile fashion statement (or is that mobile fashion criminal??)

Cheers
Clint