Just up to nothin' much...

[suecanada]

Just wanted to say hi..I have been laying low somewhat..working on some farkles for the F650GS. LRB is very well and snoozing away [smiley=zzz.gif] dreaming of a trip to NC.

I decided to save some cash for now regarding getting another tankbag for the F650. I want to use my magnetic Oxford tankbag as it has features I like such as big map pocket, a zip-off bum bag and outside pockets. and a good size for my hydration system. I wasn't too keen on always switching gadgets between two separate tankbags either depending on which bike was going out. But what I really didn't like was rigging up straps to hold it on and having strap ends hanging about when I don't have the tankbag installed. So I have tried to make the plastic faux gastank on the F650 MAGNETIC  [smiley=idea2.gif] by JB welding 6 rare earth (neodymium?) magnetics to the inside of its fairing. I think it's going to work. I'll still use the safety strap though just in case. I bought cups for each of the magnets to direct the magnetic field outwards and make it stronger towards the tankbag's magnets.

This was the winter to do stuff for the F650...next year LRB may get an operation to fix his wee leak and deal with the valve clearance decreasing issue on the exhaust valve right side. So I guess I'll have to down some braveness pills for next wintertime.

LRB doesn't mind sharing his gear as long as Cary brings it back in good shape!

Also, have a light bar in the making for the new IPF lights.

[Ed Miller]

That sounds clever.  Are they visible without the tank bag in place?

Is "farkles" a real word?  

Blue skies and 65 degrees here, but I have trees to prune.

[Joan]

Whoa! Adding magnets to a plastique tank! You really think outside the box, Sue! EXCELLENT!

I've been sitting on my a$$ about two months now. Wish I could say I finished fixing the wee Blueberry. You're an inspiration!

[suecanada]

The magnets ( 1" dia./ 40 lb force on metal) are glued on the INSIDE of the bike's fairing so they are totally outta sight. I positioned each of them directly opposite their counterpart on my Oxford tankbag. So they just sit there doing nothing until the tankbag flaps go on and are held in place by magnetic force. Let the force be with you!!! The rare earth magnets are very strong and I used the cups on them to make sure they were even stronger ("they say 4 times the strength) and that the magnetic force did not extend inwards towards whatever electronics might be on the bike. I was assured however that the magnets would not interfere with the bike's electronics but I am wary.  I know all tank bags have a tendency to scratch paintwork but I hate straps and feel they may be even worse...plus being a pain if not in use.

Farkles (bells and whistles/unnecessary fun stuff) is a new word for me too and I learned it on the Chain Gang forum for F650 bikes. That forum is an inspiration to us as it is celebrating it's 10th anniversary this year and actually has had a member put together DVD repair discs that one can buy and actually see how a job is done on the bike. I hope that someday we can do that too but first we need our best mechanics to have a friend with patience and a video camera. Just think..a tranny spline lube on DVD!!!!! [smiley=lurker.gif]  No more [smiley=drowning.gif] and no more [smiley=wall.gif]

The way I see it is if I think about something long enough there are usually two ways at least to tackle some problem..sometimes the least obvious is the best solution....such as magnetizing plastic!

[Justin B.]

Actually, I remember Farkle being the surname for a crew on Laugh-In.  Frank and Fannie Farkle and their kids Mark and Sparkle Farkle...  Seems I remember they kind of doofy.  Yes, "doofy" is a word - because I said so!   add ->  Oh, yeah, and some cousins or something called Simon and Gar Farkle!  

I remember in Art Appreciation class  [smiley=puke2.gif] in college we were taken on a field trip to some artsy-fartsy uppity "modern" art museum and I asked the prof. why the crap was taken as art.  He explained (dead serious byt the way), "That somethins is art if the artist intended it to be art and a critic agreed that it was art..."  Needless to say, I think we embarrased him as pretty much the whole class shared my idea of what was NOT art.  [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Farkle

[Chris_in_BC]

Sue,

 I agree with Joan. Brilliant idea. Definitely thinking outside the box. Can't see why it wouldn't work. You been sourcing those magnets from 'Lee Valley'?  


Chris

[suecanada]

A Canadian would guess this alright! Exactly Chris.... Lee Valley [smiley=thumbsup.gif]..great quality and innovative stuff! I love Lee Valley..what a treat just to go into one of their big stores and gander about. Hardware Catalogue 06/07, page 188. If ever I need something weird for any idea I may get I look to Lee Valley.... say we want an adjustable windscreen on the bike??? I am sure they have a hinge that would do the job. Probably there are other uses for these magnets too on our bikes if velcro and zipties or straps won't work. I wonder how we could use them to hold maybe the battery sidecovers on, in addition to a strap that still lets them dangle and blow in the wind?  Don't forget the cups as they increase the magnetism by shooting it one direction. The plastic does decrease magnetism quite a bit.

The neodimium rare earth magnets in the 3/4 and 1" sizes must be bought in packages of 5 as they say they are so strong that they present a handling problem for Lee Valley. The 5 magnets come in a pill container. I needed 6 magnets so I "borrowed" a 3/4" one from Derek's collection.

I remember the Farkle family..I guess if one can be a "doofus" then one can be "doofy". BTW was Goofy a dog or what? If so, how come he could drive, ski and stand upright and Pluto couldn't? [smiley=beehive.gif]

[msbuck]

I agree, that's a great idea with the magnets!  I may just have to try that on my Laverda.  I've resorted to just a mapcase only that attaches with suction cups.  They made them years ago, but haven't seen any recently.  I really love it.  I use a tail trunk instead.  But if I use the magnet idea, I could use my Marsee bag on both my bikes!  

BTW, I use a very soft cloth between my magnetic tank bag and the tank to help the abrasion.  Something soft like a diaper or towel.  It's been working for me.  It doesn't seem to hurt the stability of the bag either.  

Hey, is this  'Lee Valley' stuff available in the US?  Do they have a website?  

[Chris_in_BC]

Talking about magnets and thinking outside the box.  I see some manufacturers have started using a magnet at the top of jackets to keep the neck tab closed. Does away with velcro that is always catching on your helmet strap or rubbing your neck.

Would be something that is relatively easy to retro-fit to a jacket or fleece liner as well.

Now you might not want to use Sue's 3/4" or 1" magnets... if you leaned too close to your metal tank you might not get your head off again.  :-/

Chris

[Lowen]

I have a line of six rare earth magnets on the bottom of the frame of my R65, does wonders at red lights.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I have a line of six rare earth magnets on the bottom of the frame of my R65, does wonders at red lights.

Did you glue them on, or just trust the magnetism?

[suecanada]

Chris's comment and the visual picture I got was just so funny! [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif] [smiley=thud.gif]

I've had to sit at red lights a few times.....so another good use for the magnets! Good question Rob..let's see what Lowen says.

[suecanada]

USA source may be www.kjmagnetics.com. They seem to have lots of choice. Reasonable prices. Remember to buy the cups for each magnet. The 1" x 1/8" magnets I got had 30 lbs. force and that it not too much after the plastic fairing is taken into account which reduces this a lot.

[Lowen]

I have a line of six rare earth magnets on the bottom of the frame of my R65, does wonders at red lights.

Did you glue them on, or just trust the magnetism?

Trusted the magnetism, they have been on there for three years now and I havent lost one yet.