The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: mrclubike on January 10, 2017, 09:54:33 PM

Title: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 10, 2017, 09:54:33 PM
One of my OEM BMW side cases fell off the shelf and shattered
Since I use them a lot for camping trips I needed to replace them with something
I did not want to go back to them because they are a pain to load and weren't really water proof at least in the condition mine were in.
So I decided to go with the Happy Trail brand made here in the USA
http://www.happy-trail.com/happy-trails-hard-luggage-systems/teton-panniers/happy-trail-teton-pannier-each-8847.html
The box looking type bags are on the ugly side but the are very functional

In order to use them I have to move the the rack out about 50mm
They are  flat sided so they need to clear the rear shocks and my seat (it is a after market cushion and it is wider than the OEM)
Also the Turn signals need to be relocated
I will take pictures as I go along
Stay Tuned 

I sure hope this logging in  issue goes away
I have a feeling that is why it has been so quiet around here lately :'(
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: Matt Chapter on January 12, 2017, 10:26:08 AM
I'm gonna have a look at those bags, I went over a train track and lost one of my oem bags.  It was fine until a box truck going the other way smashed it...  >:(

As far as the logging in issue, I found that I'm still logged in, although the main page doesn't recognize me.  When I click into a sub forum, there I am!
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: clonmore1 on January 12, 2017, 12:38:19 PM
Looking forward to seeing how those bags work out.

Agree with the logging-in issues, very frustrating!!
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 12, 2017, 10:47:06 PM
The logging in issue seems to have subsided for now

I am getting the rack spacing sorted out
 If the Ice storm hits I will be able to work on it tomorrow and post some more picture of what needs to be done
Here is where I am at now
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 12, 2017, 10:52:13 PM
here is a close up of the rear spacer
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 12, 2017, 11:00:58 PM
Close up of top front spacer
The seat does fowl this bolt when opened
The way it is now the seat will only open to about a 45 deg angle
I will change this mounting point when I get it all done 
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 12, 2017, 11:03:39 PM
 The front lower brace will be cut off and a new one made going straight to the original mounting hole
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 12, 2017, 11:23:18 PM
Quote
I'm gonna have a look at those bags, I went over a train track and lost one of my oem bags.  It was fine until a box truck going the other way smashed it...  >:(

As far as the logging in issue, I found that I'm still logged in, although the main page doesn't recognize me.  When I click into a sub forum, there I am!

I always kept a strap wrapped around them to prevent that from happening
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: Matt Chapter on January 13, 2017, 11:06:43 AM
Quote
I always kept a strap wrapped around them to prevent that from happening

They just haven't been the same since I went pavement surfing a few years ago.  That one in particular was barely usable.  But I also have the monoshock racks for the integral bags.  I'm pretty likely to go back with the integral bags, around 500$ for a pair from Motobins.
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 15, 2017, 08:12:56 PM
Here is what I did today
Still need to weld on some upper mounting points
It very rigid with the rear cross brace

The panniers will not ship until this coming Friday
I guess they have to build them
That is 2 weeks after they were ordered  :'(
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 19, 2017, 10:11:59 PM
I have the right side mounted up
I think they fit  well
I do not have to relocate the turn signals
They sit parallel to and about 25mm above the muffler   
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 22, 2017, 10:28:15 PM
 Here they are all mounted up

The second picture is of the mounting adapter

Moving  out the racks was the easy part
Making the adapters took a lot of work trying to get all that lined up and sliding freely
 I didn't like the ones Happy Trails or Coyote trips sells so I made my own
I got the Idea from OFF-THE-ROAD and just made it overly complicated
http://www.off-the-road.de/en/Other-bikes/Luggage/Cases-and-more/OTR-mounting-kit-for-aluminium-panniers.html
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on January 29, 2017, 07:00:01 PM
Like i said earlier
The seat would not open all the way
So the fuel tank could not be removed without taking the rack off 
I was going to make the seat a lift off
I then discovered that  all I had to do was eliminate the bolt head on the shock mounting bolt
I cut down a threaded coupler and welded it to the tab
Then I  threaded a stud into the coupler and put a nut on the stud to hold it all together
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on February 12, 2017, 07:14:00 PM
As seen in My solo seat thread I have added a larger rear rack that is made to except the happy Trails 14 inch long top box
http://www.happy-trail.com/happy-trails-hard-luggage-systems/top-boxes/aluminum-top-box-29-liters-14-x17-x7-2c.html

When I get it mounted up I will post some pictures
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: Billmc on February 24, 2017, 10:05:46 AM
Quote
I have the right side mounted up
I think they fit  well
I do not have to relocate the turn signals
They sit parallel to and about 25mm above the muffler   
 

I know those are the latches on the back end of the new box, but for a second it looked like a bottle opener!
(Just a silly thought but a great place for one  ;))
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: Monman on February 24, 2017, 10:38:59 AM
I've seen a bottle opener on someone's pannier.
I thought it was a novel idea.
You never know!
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: jp9094 on February 25, 2017, 10:29:38 AM
Just curious. Is there a recommended torque value for the mounting hardware other than for the shock bolts?
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: Barry on February 25, 2017, 10:39:02 AM
In the absence of BMW recommended values and assuming steel bolts and nuts you can refer to standard torque tables like this.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tractorbynet.com%2Fforums%2Ffiles%2Fjohn-deere-owning-operating%2F238230d1321735575-jd-790-torque-specs-torq-jpg&hash=dc3622ca7b925626cb49e6632f7c878b07a4065f)
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on March 04, 2017, 10:36:52 PM
Got the rear box on today
With a back rest made from dense foam and just attached to the box with Velcro
Darn Ugly but it works and is functional  :o
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: Billmc on March 05, 2017, 05:20:42 PM
Very nice, looks stout without looking over industrial!
How much long distance touring do you put on in a year?

I know some say the R65 is too small and light but I find it just right for 200-400 mile days and that's all I want to do in one day anyway.
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on March 05, 2017, 09:55:14 PM
I got the bike with 42K miles on it in Oct 2014 and it now has 71K on it now
We do around 5 or 6  a year
Generally they are 2 or 3 days long
 3oo miles per day   
We do at least one 4 to 6 day trip per year
I have done over 500 miles in one day.

They don't look as good as the Krausers but they are a lot stronger and easier to load
This is they way I am using it on our day trips (250 to 3oo Miles)
I am generally escorting  this GS (if it breaks down it aint getting fixed the same day )   
So he is going to need company until the trailer shows up to haul it home  ;D
 
Title: Re: Installing new Aluminum Panniers
Post by: mrclubike on March 07, 2017, 09:13:27 PM
Nothing fancy or complicated about the top box mounting
Just bolts and and thick fender washer with large nylon washer between it and the rack