Any constructive suggestions please

[Mark Hooton]

Guys, as you know (or the ones who do know me at least) I`m not so far up my own chuff to think that I know it all when it comes to making good stuff.

I have always benefitted from fellow Tossers` kind yet constructive help to make something better as collectively we can draw upon a wealth of experience within the forum.

Anyway, I`ve tried (if possible) as usual to improve or evolve on a current item or idea - in this case the TT bottle carrier. I am not knocking the TT verison - it`s fantastic and it is not for me to put any other product down, in fact I have one myself and it`s a good bit of kit.

However, IMHO I found these problems with the TT version:

1. Made as cheaply as possible.
2. Mounts `flat` onto the pannier surface (limits where you can place it due to rivets and corners etc).
3. Only mounts on 2 points.

So, I`ve come up with the following design which is made as expensively (though not stupidly) as possible (everything is stainless apart from the specers) and uses a set of 10mm spacers to mount the thing away from the pannier surface - it`s allowed me much more flexibility on where I can put it - my TT one did get in the way of the pannier lock wheseas this one gives me a little more room. the design also allows 4 mounting points for extra security.

Any help, as always, would be greatly appreciated. Once I think I have got it right I`ll go `all commercial` and put it in the vendors section.

Thanks and ride carefully.
Mark
www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk

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[Shep]

JMO of course but it looks a little big, and it would be nice if the bottle was prevented from escaping at both ends by a tag rather than just the tag at the bottom. That way it can be mounted horizontally as well

A couple of extra holes/loops to use for bungie hooks would add value

 

[Mark Hooton]

Ta mate

JMO of course but it looks a little big, and it would be nice if the bottle was prevented from escaping at both ends by a tag rather than just the tag at the bottom. That way it can be mounted horizontally as well

A couple of extra holes/loops to use for bungie hooks would add value

ta mate - the extra holes are a good idea but regarding the top it was very hard to come up with a good useable, quick release solution as it was something I was looking at - theres also the concern of the bottle leaking especially if it holds fuel

I`ve found that the straps, if they are good ones, tend to hold the bottle well in place but I couldn`t be sure if the bike was in a serious tumble!

Thanks again for the benefit of your opinion

 

[ChasMill]

I like the look of that. Put my name down for one as soon as you start production please?

 

[Dainese Brave]

Hi Mark,

My first observation is a positive, unlike the TT version it seems to allow free access to unlocking the lock mechanism.

 

[Fanum]

I reckon it needs some form of foam/rubbery lining on all contact points with the bottle itself.

I've had three aluminium 1 or 1.5 litre cans wear through after prolonged off-road vibration when they were strapped (firmly I might add) to a flat metal surface.

For the Ace cafe adventurers, a metal to metal contact surface might suffice, but for 'proper' extended use, the bottle needs better protection against chafing.

 

[jbodin]

Guys, as you know (or the ones who do know me at least) I`m not so far up my own chuff to think that I know it all when it comes to making good stuff.

I have always benefitted from fellow Tossers` kind yet constructive help to make something better as collectively we can draw upon a wealth of experience within the forum.

Anyway, I`ve tried (if possible) as usual to improve or evolve on a current item or idea - in this case the TT bottle carrier. I am not knocking the TT verison - it`s fantastic and it is not for me to put any other product down, in fact I have one myself and it`s a good bit of kit.

However, IMHO I found these problems with the TT version:

1. Made as cheaply as possible.
2. Mounts `flat` onto the pannier surface (limits where you can place it due to rivets and corners etc).
3. Only mounts on 2 points.

So, I`ve come up with the following design which is made as expensively (though not stupidly) as possible (everything is stainless apart from the specers) and uses a set of 10mm spacers to mount the thing away from the pannier surface - it`s allowed me much more flexibility on where I can put it - my TT one did get in the way of the pannier lock wheseas this one gives me a little more room. the design also allows 4 mounting points for extra security.

Any help, as always, would be greatly appreciated. Once I think I have got it right I`ll go `all commercial` and put it in the vendors section.

Thanks and ride carefully.
Mark
www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk

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What is the purpose of this bottle ?
Is it just a bit of bling !

 

[Wapping]

I reckon it needs some form of foam/rubbery lining on all contact points with the bottle itself.

Spot on Vibration, aggravated by abrasive road dust, hard carrier and soft aluminium container... summat's going to give.

Many 1200 bods seem to want to carry oil, not camping cooker fuel, so favour the TT plastic jerry can thing. You might want to look at a larger version, perhaps? Just design it so the plastic bottle does not melt in the exhaust gasses... yup, I have seen it happen.

Though there was one bod with a 1200 Adventure (tank size 32 litres, summat like that) who used a one-litre drinks bottle only to carry spare motion lotion..... in case he ran out. I think tipping in the one litre would just add to ones agony of the moment.

 

[Mark Hooton]

Replies

Ta to all for the very valid opinions:

ChasMill - it`s already on the ecommerce site (www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk) but wait till I`ve listened to the other members mate - you`ll get a better product but you will have to wait until it`s put in the vendors section of the forum.

Dianese Brave - hi mate how are you doing? Well I hope! yes, I agree, that`s why I changed it coz the TT one did not have the flexibility for positioning it and it was always fiddly to open the locks.

Fanum - great idea - I`ll get some rubbery strips put on mine and post the image though my only observation would be that the strips wouldn`t be as robust as the stainless steel but great point and one I think should be adopted!

 

[Wapping]

What is the purpose of this bottle ?
Is it just a bit of bling !

No need to repeat the pictures....

Your question was understandable without.

 

[Mark Hooton]

Spot on Vibration, aggravated by abrasive road dust, hard carrier and soft aluminium container... summat's going to give.

Many 1200 bods seem to want to carry oil, not camping cooker fuel, so favour the TT plastic jerry can thing. You might want to look at a larger version, perhaps? Just design it so the plastic bottle does not melt in the exhaust gasses... yup, I have seen it happen.

Though there was one bod with a 1200 Adventure (tank size 32 litres, summat like that) who used a one-litre drinks bottle only to carry spare motion lotion..... in case he ran out. I think tipping in the one litre would just add to ones agony of the moment.

Hi Wapping, good to hear from you, yes it seems its good advice about the anti vibe strips - I`m gonna fit some and post the images as soon as i can. I know what you mean about the larger one - I`ll get this sorted first

 

[Wapping]

Mark H,

Somewhere I think I have some pictures of a bod's well used 800GS, sporting proper fuel carriers on the front crash bars, the containers parallel and flush with the side of the bike.

I will see if I can find them and lob them up. They would be reasonably easy to make well and would suit both the 800 and 1200GSA variants.

They were the five litre size. So of some practical use, perhaps?

http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/acatalog/PETROL_STEEL_JERRY_GERRY_FUEL_CANS.html

 

[Mark Hooton]

Mark H,

Somewhere I think I have some pictures of a bod's well used 800GS, sporting proper fuel carriers on the front crash bars, the containers parallel and flush with the side of the bike.

I will see if I can find them and lob them up. They would be reasonably easy to make well and would suit both the 800 and 1200GSA variants.

They were the five litre size. So of some practical use, perhaps?

http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/acatalog/PETROL_STEEL_JERRY_GERRY_FUEL_CANS.html

Yeah - I know the ones, mini versions of the 20Ltr we used to use in the Military. very good bits of kit and require frame mounting/crash bar mounting as suggested.

 

[Mark Hooton]

What is the purpose of this bottle ?
Is it just a bit of bling !

Hi mate, actually not (or at least IMHO) - I don`t really suffer from range and therefore need it as fuel but I have had, at times, experienced contamination within the pannier from the fuel bottle. It`s easily smelt and can `taint` whatever is in the panner so having it outside is a good thing.

Also, and purely on a practical note, it`s proved easier for me to fill up my cooker if the bottle is close to hand - I sometimes use my panniers with a table and if the bottle is still stored in the pannier then its a pain to get at.

Everyone is different and what might be a good idea from my point of view might be daft to someone of greater intelligence (only 4 brain cells left, destroyed the rest with red wine, oh yeah, baby).

Thanks for your input and I hope I have explained why it`s a good idea for me!

To be fair it does look like bling as I try to inject some nice design into what i do but it does have a good practical use, i think.

 

[pedro]

Hello Mark,
I usually carry an MSR bottle in one of the Touratech cradles, is there any chance of you coming up with something that is actually lockable ? I carry the pump part of the stove permanently attached to the bottle and really wouldnt like it to be nicked.
The pannier table you made for me is great by the way.
Cheers
Peter.

 

[ChasMill]

800GS, sporting proper fuel carriers on the front crash bars, the containers parallel and flush with the side of the bike.

It was at the Eurotunnel just before we boarded the train on one of your one-day jaunts. He was taking the bike across for a test ride.

 

[Mark Hooton]

Hello Mark,
I usually carry an MSR bottle in one of the Touratech cradles, is there any chance of you coming up with something that is actually lockable ? I carry the pump part of the stove permanently attached to the bottle and really wouldnt like it to be nicked.
The pannier table you made for me is great by the way.
Cheers
Peter.

not sure mate - I know it sounds easy but when you get down to actually designing something it isn`t the easiest thing to do - I`ll give it some consideration and see if i can come up with a simple economic solution for ya

pleased the table still gives good service - I always use mine.

 

[Pablo1]

Hi mate, actually not (or at least IMHO) - I don`t really suffer from range and therefore need it as fuel but I have had, at times, experienced contamination within the pannier from the fuel bottle. It`s easily smelt and can `taint` whatever is in the panner so having it outside is a good thing.

Also, and purely on a practical note, it`s proved easier for me to fill up my cooker if the bottle is close to hand - I sometimes use my panniers with a table and if the bottle is still stored in the pannier then its a pain to get at.

Everyone is different and what might be a good idea from my point of view might be daft to someone of greater intelligence (only 4 brain cells left, destroyed the rest with red wine, oh yeah, baby).

Thanks for your input and I hope I have explained why it`s a good idea for me!

To be fair it does look like bling as I try to inject some nice design into what i do but it does have a good practical use, i think.

I'm glad u explained that ,thought it was for drinking

 

[sidestand]

Trouble is, when I use the panniers & table - I've got nowt to sit on

So what about a flat pack chair Mark

On the bottle holder, could you do one for the 2 litre petrol container that HG sell ? I find it flatter & more useful than the round ones

http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/reserve-kanister-2-liter.html

 

[joe4550]

Trouble is, when I use the panniers & table - I've got nowt to sit on

So what about a flat pack chair Mark

On the bottle holder, could you do one for the 2 litre petrol container that HG sell ? I find it flatter & more useful than the round ones

http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/reserve-kanister-2-liter.html

id go for one of these aswell

joe