| Author | Message | ||
     Bomber |
All My wife saw a tank bag that would be great on her Blast, but can't remember anything about it other than the manfacturer, which was Oxford . . . . anyone know of a source? thanks | ||
| Aesquire |
Bomber, Oxford Products Castlesales, US dist. Check the discount houses too. | ||
| Bomber |
thanks for the tip, sir . . .. . all their bags seem magentic, which'll make it kinda tough to stick it on the Blast . . . . I appreciate the help | ||
| Mikej |
Weld her up a steel tank. Problem solved.  (I think I'll go hide now.) | ||
| Bomber |
thanks Mike .. .. after I spent all winter beating a great looking tank out of aluminum, too . . . .. sheesh | ||
| Ara |
You can also get Oxford from www.lockhartphillipsusa.com and they're cheaper. | ||
| Bomber |
yessir, and they mebbe have some of those cool plastic magnets (smile) . . . . she actually fell in love with a llittle Nelson-Rigg bag, just the right size, but it, too, is available for steel tanked scoots only | ||
| Mikej |
How about some clamp/hook/thingies to clip under the tank cover on the Blast? Rubber dip coat them and they might work okay. Or you could just adhesive/attach some thin steel plate to the underside of the tank cover. I think I'll stop now before you go out to the garage/grinder and fab up a mike-eradicator.   | ||
| Bomber |
ROFLMAO . . . . . I think meebe I'll just order her one of those little RKA bags like she got me a couple of christmases ago . . . . of, gasp, a bag designed for her scoot, from, say, Buell? | ||
| Kcbill |
I have an Oxford tank bag. I went to the hardware store and bought some plastic clips. (just like the ones on the Buell tank bags) They also had the nylon strapping. I took it to a Leather and Jewelry store and had the guy sew on the nylon strap with the plastic snap set up on in the same place the Buell clip is at the bottom. It took about 10 min. So don't let the bottom strap hold you back. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Bomber...Check Chaparral's website for the Oxford. Pretty sure I saw them there and the prices are great with next day shipping. Also, look at MAW, Motorcycle Accessories Warehouse. Usually a few cents less than Chaparral but longer lead time. | ||
| Whatever |
I got the tail bag for the M2L and need to figure out how to get saddlebag supports for the saddlebags... any suggestions (from anyone other than Mike?)  BTW Bomber, I really like that bag because it has backpack straps and a shoulder carrying strap and is much bigger than it looks. Got mine at Madison Motorsports in Mad City, where else? | ||
| Nevco1 |
Char...If the saddlebags have no internal support on the side facing the rear wheel, cut a piece of masonite or light plastic to fit and pop rivet it into place. The lower forward and rear straps should give it enough support under tension to prevent any problems. Also check Aerostich's online catalog for other remedies. There is a tone of information in their sales descriptions concerning bags, straps, bungees, etc. | ||
| Anonymous |
I've had two different saddlebags mounted on my M2, the Buell ones, and some non-Buell ones. Neither required any supports. The non-Buell ones have an internal strap to cinch up the load on the inside and sort of round-a-bout pull the bottom of the bag from the wheel. The Buell bags have just enough taper to not become an issue, and at one point I carried 4 quarts of oil in one and about a gallon of water in the other side and still no wheel rub. If you think you really need the saddle-bag supports then look at the S3 conversion kits that I've seen to convert them to S3T hard bags. If you're looking at hauling on your trip then go with the basic saddle bags, a tank bag, and the Ventura rack if the tail bag isn't enough with the other stuff. Or just let me know when you'll be down this way again and I'll loan you the RKA saddlebags for your trip. If you're traveling light then just the expanding tank bag and a tail bag might be enough. If you're tenting and camping then maybe saddlebags. The main problem with the saddle bags that I found was that they inhibited checking the oil from time to time. And on a long trip with extended freeway time in the summer you would probably want to check the oil twice a day, once a day at a minimum. Some days I'd lose none, and other days under similar conditions I'd loose nearly a quart. Weird, but that how it was. I have no idea how it would have been with synthetic. Posted anon because Charlotte said: "(from anyone other than Mike?)"  | ||
| Nevco1 |
Sure am glad that Mike guy didn't respond. Anon seems to be quite wise in the ways of touring.  | ||
| Mikej |
As someone once told me, the Beverly Hillbilly's Touring Club.  | ||
| Nevco1 |
MikeJ...Too funny. That's is how the owner of the best company I ever worked for got from Ashtabula, OH to LA. Wanted to race year round and just went out bought a car, trailer, sold the homestead and packed the entire family into the rig and off they went. One of the best success stories ever. | ||
| Blake |
Charlotte, Have you seen pictures of how I've loaded my Cyclone? I never use a tank bag. Too much trouble when it comes time to refuel; they are great for holding maps and such though. Even on the skinny tail section of the '97 Cyclone, I've never had any need for saddle bag supports. The key is to adjust the big velcro flap that joins left bag to right bag so that the bags do not hang down too far. The tension of the top flap will support the bags laterally. For serious touring though Mike is right, the Ventura pack is a must. I use both plus a hydroseal bag. | ||
| Polekat |
Whatever, I put Buell saddle bags on my 2002 M2 and there was a flat bar that attched under the seat and came out both sides to attach in to a strip of nylon that is on the side bags. These are not large bags and as mentioned in other posts, the velcro connecting the bags can be made to keep the bags up high. I still used the bar support for the bags though. | ||
| Stevedplumber |
Where is the best place to purchase a tank bag for my 2002 Cyclone? I am really interested in the Buell tank bag, but there is one downfall $$$$. A problem with the M2's not being made anymore is Buell stopped advertising for accessories for my bike.  | ||
| Mikej |
Steve, Many dealers can still get the bags new, and many others still have old stock that they sometimes sell at discounts. Otherwise keep an eye on the classifieds section on the site here and on e-bay.com. | ||
| Whatever |
Blake, I will have to read your novel some other time... I am off to Kung Fu Class... this will probably be a lot easier than I thought. Want saddle bags so tent, sleeping bag and pad can go on top of the passenger seat. Really only need one change of clothing (and several pair of underwear)... a toothbrush and Cliff Bars, some tools and rain gear and I should be set. Will check it out tomorrow.  Thanks, Charlotte | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Charlotte, The stock Buell bags for the M2 are great! I've used mine for over 6000 miles (2 2.5K trips and misc local stuff) Better watch out Mike, I may have to post the "vagabond" picture from 2 years ago!!!! Brad | ||
| Mikej |
 Just click my profile link. You should have seen my pickup and trailer when I moved from California to Wisconsin. Had two motorcycles and a flat fender Willys Jeep on the trailer and you could not see the Jeep unless you looked for it. | ||
| Blake |
Char, One thing I've learned for sure. Avoid lots of small bundles in favor of a few large bags. Bungies pretty much suck for securing a load unless they are stretched to near their elastic limit. Those bungi cargo net things are worthless, poor at best for serious packing and stacking. If the container/luggage ain't waterproof, the contents will get soaked. Silicon waterproofing spray is a very good thing. Heavy stuff low, light stuff on top. Always leave room for groceries. Keep your Team Elves hat handy (great for covering helmet hair). And don't forget to adjust suspension, especially the rear shock... (a little more preload and a little more damping) | ||
| Blake |
Sorry, that was more than one thing.  | ||
| M2me |
I never use a tank bag. Too much trouble when it comes time to refuel; they are great for holding maps and such though. I was surprised when I read your "novel" that you didn't have a tank bag. I have a tank bag from American Sport Bike. Works great! It has a quick release for refueling. Let's see, how long does it take? One missipp... I'm already refueling! | ||
| Nevco1 |
Char...Just make sure to position your tank bag to not interfere with the gas tank vent tube. I use the Eclipse sport bag and love it as it it expandable. Wish I could have used the larger model like I had for my other bikes but the damn vent got in the way. Concerning Buell's tank bag, the one for the X1 is a designers masterpiece and belongs in the art museum. Translation: Too friggin' small to be of use and the subcontractor really does shoddy work. I bought one and returned it an hour later. Hope the other bags Buell buys are of better construction and size. | ||
| Mikej |
Relative to what Blake said, I found a duffle bag long enough for my tent poles. It held my tent, sleeping bag (in a compression sack, great item in itself), tools, camera tripod, and a few other things. A couple of cinch straps crossed thru the bag handles and a few more over the ends and it was good to go. The bag and saddle bags without a Ventura rack might be all you really need. Tank bags are great for carrying rain gear. For refueling I just unclipped the front clips and flipped the tank bag back onto the seat. No problem and no real hassle, quick and easy. The rear pocket on the Buell tankbag is great for snacks or small fruit like fresh cherries to munch on while riding. Spitting out cherry pits with a full face helmet on is something that has to be experienced (hint: open the visor first). | ||
| Mikej |
Bomber, Is any of this helping in your original question????? |
