Hi Folks,
I have the plastic R1200GS panniers and don't think they are the best for touring, due to side loading plus the risk of damage if the bike goes down whilst riding off road. I currently use some coolbags as pannier lining bags as they are cheaper than the BM bags and do the job nicely. You lose a bit of capacity but they prevent your stuff tumbling out when you open the pannier cases.
I am considering making my own top loading aluminium panniers from 2mm thick sheet (similar to touratech type) as we have full sheet metal facilities at work, and have been trying to find fittings.
Does anyone know a supplier of aluminium extrusion interlocking channel that I could make the joint from for the lids. Failing this, I will have to have an overlapping style of lid with a sheet of rubber for the rain seal, but it wouldn't look as trick. I have found fasteners at Protex ( http://www.protex.com/ ) but cannot find the sealing channel. Touratech sell the pannier frame shapes for £25 a pair so I can easily fabricate my own pannier rack from mild steel.
Help would be most appreciated.
I have the plastic R1200GS panniers and don't think they are the best for touring, due to side loading plus the risk of damage if the bike goes down whilst riding off road. I currently use some coolbags as pannier lining bags as they are cheaper than the BM bags and do the job nicely. You lose a bit of capacity but they prevent your stuff tumbling out when you open the pannier cases.
I am considering making my own top loading aluminium panniers from 2mm thick sheet (similar to touratech type) as we have full sheet metal facilities at work, and have been trying to find fittings.
Does anyone know a supplier of aluminium extrusion interlocking channel that I could make the joint from for the lids. Failing this, I will have to have an overlapping style of lid with a sheet of rubber for the rain seal, but it wouldn't look as trick. I have found fasteners at Protex ( http://www.protex.com/ ) but cannot find the sealing channel. Touratech sell the pannier frame shapes for £25 a pair so I can easily fabricate my own pannier rack from mild steel.
Help would be most appreciated.
