tank bag mounting.........

[BubbaZanetti]

i realize this might be better off in the gear fourm, but the topic is somewhat oilhead specific

i have a marsee 8L tank bag that i bough for my airhead, problem is, with the new S, there is nothing metalic for magnets to grip. the way the faring is shapped and the bag is designed, there also is no easy way to secure it to the bike. i'm wondering if anyone else has run into this problem and figured out a good, quick release mounting system. i'm gonna sit down with the bike and bag and figure out a way to resolve this, but figured i'd see if any of you had already designed something

[lorazepam]

Bubba, go to your local camping store, and get some straps that have quick release buckles. Buy three of them, and have a lady friend (or local sewing shop) sew a 6" section of each end of one to the front corners of your bag.
Take the second one and loop it around the steering head, and attach the appropriate buckle to the bag.

From the third strap, remove one of the buckle ends, (female would be best) and have it attached to the center of the rear of the bag via a piece of the leftover strap you have from number one.

Take the third strap with the male end, find an appropriate place to tie it to under your seat. Make sure it will not interfere with replacing the seat on the bike. feed it out so it comes up the center of the tank under your seat.

I hope this makes sense, and it will cost you probably 20 bucks total to do. Well worth it if you really like that tankbag. I would also have the "wings" cut off the the bag, and the cut job sewn shut. All they will do is chafe your paint and make you angry.

[alien_hitchhiker]

Bubba - here is another idea: Purchase just the mounting hardware that goes with the BigMak tank bag (from Cycle Gadgets). Use buckles & straps like Lorazepam described, or velcro straps, to attach the bag to the BigMak hardware. I really like the Marsee bags and plan to do this myself, if & when my BigMak bag bites the dust.
Steve-O

[dano]

I've wanted to put a tank bag on my '03 RT. But.....because the tank is not metal, I won't use a bag that needs straps. I haven't seen a tank bag yet, that uses straps, and hasn't messed up the finish on a tank.....to some degree or another.

I do have a magnetic tank bag on my '03 Kawi ZRX1200R. It uses rare earth magnets, and when I say it sticks to the tank, I mean it. Best thing is, the tank bag doesn't harm the tank's finish in any way. :clap

[BradfordBenn]

I've wanted to put a tank bag on my '03 RT. But.....because the tank is not metal, I won't use a bag that needs straps. I haven't seen a tank bag yet, that uses straps, and hasn't messed up the finish on a tank.....to some degree or another.

You may want to check out BigMak, it attaches to the gas filler with four screws/bolts. I love mine.

[BubbaZanetti]

i'm thinking of punching a hole in the little piece that sticks out of the front to protect the tank from the safety strap snap and fitting that over the front preload adjuster, then sew a strap on the back and run that down under the seat, seems to be the least intrusive thing i can think of, but i'm not sure how stable it will be.......

[lorazepam]

3 point mounting is way more stable and secure. How many camera bipods do you see compared to tripods?

[BubbaZanetti]

lol, camera bipod :p