Storage and Sissybar Bags-I Made One Up!

Hi all!

So.... no need to go over the well publicised lament to lack of storage space on our beloved Viffers!!!

To fix this I ordered a set of throw over saddlebags.... Or so I thought!!!

The retailer must have a product code clash in their system because I DEFINITELY ordered saddlebags (got the order details to prove that one!!) and got a Sissybar bag with matching receipt!!!

Ordered this...

http://www.mcas.com.au/products/2-Products-Off-Road/route-66-throw-over-saddle-bags.jpg

Got this instead!!!

http://www.mcas.com.au/products/1-Products-Road/TM_Route_66_Siss_5109c8ed3b21a.jpg

So after being a bit peeved I got to thinking.... Could I use this bag???

The VFR has no sissybar - of course! But I had some 3mm thick aluminium bar in the garage, so I had a go at making one!

I cut a strip 1200mm in length and drilled two (2) 10mm diameter holes in either end that matched up with the holes for the grab handles. I had to get some 45mm M8 allen key head screws as the stock screws are too short. I used some nylon washers to create spaces between the grab handles themselves and the bottom of the aluminium.

Then I bent!

And twisted!

And bashed!

And eventually..... I got THIS!!!!

I fully admit this bar not totally elegant. It is definitely a case of I've made something functional!!!! I'll also add that, apart from taking metalwork as an option at school over 30 years ago, I've no practical metalworking experience other than DIY stuff!!!

So be gentle... please!!!! lol!

And when the bag is in-situ you can't really see it anyways!

And I LOVE it! It's a pretty good bag. It's top loading and definitely easy to cram full of stuff! The bottle in the pic are 1.5l soda water bottles to try and give an example of the space of the bag....

The bag attaches through two (2) mechanisms: A wrap-around velcro strip and four (4) adjustable straps, which are supplied with the bag. I wrap the velco strip around the bar itself, then tie the bag down with the straps.

It will work with the seat cowl in place, but I didn't want to risk scratching that at this point, so I took it off for the install.

I've had it full of shopping this weekend and it didn't move a muscle!!

Gonna go camping in a week or two, so will give a report of how it goes on a longer ride! And might even get to test the backrest too!!

The Al bar was around AUD 18. The screws were AUD 6 for two (2), so AUD 12 in total. And the nylon washers were another AUD 10

Very low tech and low cost, coming in at around AUD 40!!!!

CONS-It would have to be unscrewed completely and the stock screws would have to be put back in to bring the Viffer back to her unsullied self. So that would be a hassle I guess....

But I have no intention of taking a pillion at this point, so I guess it will work for me! And the screws and little caps that cover them in the grab handles will easily fit inside the tool kit, so if I'm anywhere and want to remove it, it shouldn't be a problem!!!!

So here's my low-tech, inelegant storage solution that I REALLY love right now!!!

With the absolute kindest regards.

J.

 

Good morning

Now not wanting to rain on your parade But I personally would not trust that bag mount one bit the alloy will not be strong enough to hold that when fully loaded and being beaten with wind at hi way speeds not too mention pothole jarring

I have seen the ventura and gearsack range of bag racks broken and snapped and a few here have had Givi racks break off and they are a lot more robustly constructed

I would not want that to come loose and swing into the rear wheel at speed because the alloy bar broke

If you could twist it with hand tools i seriously doubt it will hold up to road shock/vibration / wind loading with any type of load on board

Good effort but use it at your peril

 

Very nice job and it looks good too.

As far as longevity goes, it's a one-off. Just keep and eye on it.

"Grumpy old man" - aptly named....

 

probably not as bad as Grump thinks, it doesn't look to be carrying too much load, it only has to prevent it from sliding around, as said just keep an eye on it