Installing new Aluminum Panniers

[mrclubike]

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

[Matt Chapter]

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!

[clonmore1]

Looking forward to seeing how those bags work out.

Agree with the logging-in issues, very frustrating!!

[mrclubike]

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

[mrclubike]

here is a close up of the rear spacer

[mrclubike]

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 

[mrclubike]

 The front lower brace will be cut off and a new one made going straight to the original mounting hole

[mrclubike]

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

[Matt Chapter]

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.

[mrclubike]

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 

[mrclubike]

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   

[mrclubike]

 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

[mrclubike]

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

[mrclubike]

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

[Billmc]

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  )