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Floating ripstop liner, tarp outer, D-rings with straps over the top of the seat, loop over top rail, strap tight around lower triangle. Two layers of thin foam in the back of the bag across the strap area for adding protecting and strength.
By the way, yep they are Hagon shocks on this stupid old 125.
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Decided on a relatively basic box-shaped rolltop bag, symmetrical, with provision to strap tight to the rail, and over the seat.
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Wow... 5 months!
Had lots of underlying health issues, fatigue etc etc. Been really out of the game. A bunch of you guys have been patient waiting for me to get back to you, so sorry about that!
I was really struggling to get anything made for a while, then took a few extended breaks from the machines. Most I did was try make new seat covers for the motorcycle.
The motorcycle thing has been a massive time-sink as well. Bought a 125cc in November, planned to have a full unrestricted license by March, had been training on a Bandit 600. Mod1 no stress, and got very comfortable on the road. Failed Mod2 because the examiner saw my evasive manoeuvre chopping lanes as a major fault (he missed the near-pileup ahead of me), so an otherwise clear run without any minors, failed. Then thanks to the epidemic I had my retest cancelled. So I’m relegated to riding the 125 until this all ends.
However, the little bike has been a massive time-sink in other ways. Lots of my energy has gone into learning how to disassemble and sort a carburettor, fix oil leaks, adjust valve clearance, fit and adjust longer rear shocks, replace an exploded (literally) exhaust, battery, indicators, bulbs, tacho cables, and check wiring, etc etc etc.
Since it’s been months without serious time on the sewing machines, I thought I’d better make a couple narrow side bags before embarking on anything for anyone else.
First, with the angle grinder, remnants of the bmx frames I’d used for the cargo bmx, and the arc welder, I jury-rigged myself some pannier rail/shock guards.
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Dammit. Now I’m actually looking at the 350...
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@ElephantBreath there are some 350’s about... and a lot cheaper too. Not sure I wanna go that oldschool though!
@Jung thanks! And for sure, took some balls to break out and just try bullying the bike. Got the bug now!
@jambon awesome
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Maybe all the (gentle) mtb and bmx has been a great help - even on the little 125, standing on the pegs, keeping loose, letting the bike find its route as it slides all over the shop... okay it’s no big skids and drifts, but on road tyres it was slippery but didn’t feel unnatural. On trail tyres it must be a real blast.
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Thanks for the suggestions, I’d thought about the various DR’s, until now my biggest question has been what will I do with the bike? All well and good the 125cc doing errands, but given the power and planting of a road bike will I eat up miles of road? Or am I going to tour? “Off road”?
The whole pandemic nonsense means things aren’t how I imagined - so much for a full license, do-it-all workhorse and a road trip to France, Germany, etc. That really said “go for a comfortable, cheap, mid-range road machine”. But now I’m not sure.
Suppose now I’m fighting with >600 if it’s all about the road, but <400 if it’s gonna need picking up out the mud.
I hate compromise.
Crosspost from my workshop thread.
As I have no opportunity to ride a bigger beast, or means of attaining one, thought I’d stop agonising over adverts online and make some side bags.
First made the shock guards from welded bmx stays, then made the bags to fit.