Pannier wrap dilemma

[Flappytabs]

I have a dilemma which although relatively minor in relation to subjects like Brexit or which Tyres to fit, it is currently rocking my world.

i have a triple black GSA and i bought a new black (BMW) top box with the bike. I have just picked up a pre loved set of ally panniers and want to make them black.

The humvee kits look ace but they leave a border in the original finish and I am not convinced this will look right with an all black top box.

any ideas? preferably sensible but anything considered.

 

[AP11 LAD]

With any kit you will have at least a small border. I’ve seen plenty done and I think they look fine

 

[VaughanP]

With a bit of time and effort, it is possible to wrap them yourself. I did. Purchase the vinyl wrap from eBay, watch a couple of you tube videos and exercise a lot of patience.

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[Flappytabs]

Ace thanks

 

[Phill Elston]

I wrapped mine when I got my first GSA a couple of years ago and decided last month to re-wrap them. That's when my OCD took over...

I bought some 5mm cobalt drill bits
Drilled out all the stainless steel rivets holding on all the plastic corner pieces and the stainless steel rails that the panniers hang on. I drilled out the rivets holding on the strap loops on the lids. They are tough little buggers and I blunted more than one drill bit!

Once all that was off (and I'd wire brushed away as much oxydised aluminium as I could where the stainless steel rails had reacted with the aluminium - I put up a post about this a couple of weeks ago) I started wrapping the boxes, running the wrap under the corner pieces and onto the base. It was trimmed there and over wrapped on the base (I didn't want any aluminium exposed if at all possible) Some judicious use of heat and some patients was required to mould the vinyl wrap around the rivets that were left in situ. (In retrospect and if I do the wrap again, I'll drill those buggers out and replace those too.)
Then it was cutting out all the rivet holes and trimming around the back pads etc.
Then it was time to start re-attaching everything... Pop-Rivets were no good as they are (generally) not waterproof. They also have the issue of being difficult to remove if you want to re-do any of the work (like a colour change should you want to if transferring the panniers to a different colour bike?) So I went for M5 x 12mm Stainless Steel Large Head Flange Torx Button Screws, washers & nylock nuts.
A dob of clear silicone at each bolt hole and all the bits were refitted nice and tight.
The one down-side is that there are now some nylon nuts on the inside of the boxes, though to my mind, the intrusion is minimal and the wrap is pretty much total, meaning that the panniers don't (and won't) look like they've been blasted with salt from a shotgun, they clean pretty easily and - as I've already mentioned - a change of colour is pretty easy.
I'm happy with the job that I've done and I guess that's pretty much all that matters.

 

[VaughanP]

I wrapped mine when I got my first GSA a couple of years ago and decided last month to re-wrap them. That's when my OCD took over...

I bought some 5mm cobalt drill bits
Drilled out all the stainless steel rivets holding on all the plastic corner pieces and the stainless steel rails that the panniers hang on. I drilled out the rivets holding on the strap loops on the lids. They are tough little buggers and I blunted more than one drill bit!

Once all that was off (and I'd wire brushed away as much oxydised aluminium as I could where the stainless steel rails had reacted with the aluminium - I put up a post about this a couple of weeks ago) I started wrapping the boxes, running the wrap under the corner pieces and onto the base. It was trimmed there and over wrapped on the base (I didn't want any aluminium exposed if at all possible) Some judicious use of heat and some patients was required to mould the vinyl wrap around the rivets that were left in situ. (In retrospect and if I do the wrap again, I'll drill those buggers out and replace those too.)
Then it was cutting out all the rivet holes and trimming around the back pads etc.
Then it was time to start re-attaching everything... Pop-Rivets were no good as they are (generally) not waterproof. They also have the issue of being difficult to remove if you want to re-do any of the work (like a colour change should you want to if transferring the panniers to a different colour bike?) So I went for M5 x 12mm Stainless Steel Large Head Flange Torx Button Screws, washers & nylock nuts.
A dob of clear silicone at each bolt hole and all the bits were refitted nice and tight.
The one down-side is that there are now some nylon nuts on the inside of the boxes, though to my mind, the intrusion is minimal and the wrap is pretty much total, meaning that the panniers don't (and won't) look like they've been blasted with salt from a shotgun, they clean pretty easily and - as I've already mentioned - a change of colour is pretty easy.
I'm happy with the job that I've done and I guess that's pretty much all that matters.

To go round the rivets, I purchased a set of hole punches from eBay (£9-10) and the 9mm hole punch when pushed over the river will cut out a perfect circle of vinyl. Ta da!


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[Phill Elston]

To go round the rivets, I purchased a set of hole punches from eBay (£9-10) and the 9mm hole punch when pushed over the river will cut out a perfect circle of vinyl. Ta da!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice idea

 

[Big Si]

You two need to get out more

 

[Yox]

To go round the rivets, I purchased a set of hole punches from eBay (£9-10) and the 9mm hole punch when pushed over the river will cut out a perfect circle of vinyl. Ta da!


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9mm Socket works too.

 

[Phill Elston]

Didn't have the image files earlier... This is the result of my efforts

 

[Roadrash Rider]

Didn't have the image files earlier... This is the result of my efforts

Phil

What’s the rubber you used on the top? Nice job

Cheers

Griff

 

[Phill Elston]

Phil

What’s the rubber you used on the top? Nice job

Cheers

Griff

Thank you.

I call them "Tuff Tops" - I make them. 3mm self adhesive non slip nitrile rubber/PVC formulation which resists the chemical effects of oil, fuel and other commonly used substances.

 

[ghost-rider]

Thank you.

I call them "Tuff Tops" - I make them. 3mm self adhesive non slip nitrile rubber/PVC formulation which resists the chemical effects of oil, fuel and other commonly used substances.

Are these the ones iv seen on ebay??

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[Phill Elston]

No. I’ve seen them and in my opinion, they are not as tough as these... but I guess I would say that as I make ‘em!?

 

[ghost-rider]

"You make em" to order??

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[Phill Elston]

"You make em" to order??

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I can do if you want. PM me.

 

[ghost-rider]

I can do if you want. PM me.

I was gonna take you up on the offer mate, but after adding the grafix to my panniers today(and being well chuffed), ive had a change of heart, so ill leave it mate if thats ok, but thanks for offering

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[ghost-rider]

Added these grafix tday

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[Glyno]

Not wrapped but painted a couple of years ago. Still pleased with the finish.

 

[wpm]

Hi where did you get them from and how where they to put on?