Pelican Case as Tank Bag

[Ron_Luning]

I've always liked the idea of the tank ring used by SW Motech on their Bags-Connection tank bags. Unfortunately, they charge sky-high prices for the bags (which are not waterproof), and will not sell you the tank rings unless you have proof of buying one of their bags.

Not long ago, Cortech released their Dryver tank bags (that are waterproof) with their own version of a tank ring connector. Again, these bags are pretty expensive. Their connectors are available without the bag.

My idea long ago was to use the tank ring connector with a Pelican case to have something waterproof and cheap. Here's what I came up with for less than $70 using a Pelican 1150:

Keep the weight low if you do this yourself. You defintitely do not want to overload this and then drop your bike because although the connector is much more likely to disengage than the SW Motech design, it may not and you'll destroy your tank.

I may up the size of the case to the Pelican 1300 in the future since it looks like it will fit pretty easily.

 

[snakebitten]

I have the Cortech bag. It was my first farkle.

I wanted a tank-ring bag too,, but my nephew is a parts dealer and told me to try the Dryver. I ride almost everyday. All weather. And although the bag IS waterproof, the many months of sun and rain caused the seams around the magnetic flap to wear through. I sent a couple of iPhone pics to the nephew and Cortech replaced the bag no questions asked.

Clever use of the Tank Ring. When I wear this bag out I might do something similar using the existing ring.

 

[merchant]

Me likey! I have the Yammie tank tank bag and like it lots, but it is not waterproof. If/when I need to replace, this mod will be high on the list.

 

[Brntrt]

I've always liked the idea of the tank ring used by SW Motech on their Bags-Connection tank bags. Unfortunately, they charge sky-high prices for the bags (which are not waterproof), and will not sell you the tank rings unless you have proof of buying one of their bags.

Not long ago, Cortech released their Dryver tank bags (that are waterproof) with their own version of a tank ring connector. Again, these bags are pretty expensive. Their connectors are available without the bag.

My idea long ago was to use the tank ring connector with a Pelican case to have something waterproof and cheap. Here's what I came up with for less than $70 using a Pelican 1150:

Keep the weight low if you do this yourself. You defintitely do not want to overload this and then drop your bike because although the connector is much more likely to disengage than the SW Motech design, it may not and you'll destroy your tank.

I may up the size of the case to the Pelican 1300 in the future since it looks like it will fit pretty easily.

Do your bars clear the Pelican?

 

[Ron_Luning]

Yes there's about an inch clearance to the side with the bars at full lock. You could use a bigger case, but would maybe have to mount it so the lid opens to the side instead of to the front.

 

[oKLRider]

I've always liked the idea of the tank ring used by SW Motech on their Bags-Connection tank bags. Unfortunately, they charge sky-high prices for the bags (which are not waterproof), and will not sell you the tank rings unless you have proof of buying one of their bags.

Not long ago, Cortech released their Dryver tank bags (that are waterproof) with their own version of a tank ring connector. Again, these bags are pretty expensive. Their connectors are available without the bag.....

Awesome idea! ::012::

Researching some boxes, and came across this on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/03-12-YAMAHA-YZF-R6-Cortech-Dryver/dp/B004RE5B7C/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1347987258&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=cortech+dryver+ring Seems like a good price, but not sure it will fit. I need to compare it to my FZ1, but wondered if you already knew the answer...? ;D

 

[oKLRider]

Update...looks like MamaYama is as smart as I thought she was, and uses the same tank flange pattern throughout. I just finished ordering all of the pieces from Amazon, and will have a little over 56 bucks in it when done....bonus, it will match my pelican panniers when I get the cash for those! ::024:: ;D

I'll post pics when done. Thanks for the great idea! ::003::

 

[TreeMuncher]

Great idea. I would like to try this.

Could you specify which part or model number of the tank connector that you used? I want to make sure that I order the correct part the first time.

 

[Psyduck]

Oh man! What a great idea! This approach also gives a stable platform to mount some stuff on top of the case. Now yo got me thinking! Might be the solution I have been looking for to get my radar detector and Mix-It off my handlebars.

How stable are these tank mounts? Can they withstand constant beating from off-roading?

 

[greg the pole]

ya I did the same thing, but in the end needed more room, so I went with a GS tank bag from SW motech, ::013::
I did install a pelican behind the license plate:
linky: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=4898.msg87274#msg87274

 

[oKLRider]

Could you specify which part or model number of the tank connector that you used? I want to make sure that I order the correct part the first time.

Mine just got installed, but no pics yet. I ordered from the Amazon link above, selected 'Yamaha', and it fits perfect.

 

[oKLRider]

Oh man! What a great idea! This approach also gives a stable platform to mount some stuff on top of the case. Now yo got me thinking! Might be the solution I have been looking for to get my radar detector and Mix-It off my handlebars.

How stable are these tank mounts? Can they withstand constant beating from off-roading?

Great idea for sure. I've got the bits and pieces rounded, but not installed :-[, to mount a GoPro and/or Garmin along with a map pouch. The mount is pretty stable, surprisingly. They're made out of plastic, but once locked they're on there. I attached them to the pelican using 1/4-20 x3/4" bolts, with fender washers on the inside of the box, and flat washers with nylocks on the outside. Pretty much a straight copy from the original post. ::012::

 

[greg the pole]

Great idea for sure. I've got the bits and pieces rounded, but not installed :-[, to mount a GoPro and/or Garmin along with a map pouch. The mount is pretty stable, surprisingly. They're made out of plastic, but once locked they're on there. I attached them to the pelican using 1/4-20 x3/4" bolts, with fender washers on the inside of the box, and flat washers with nylocks on the outside. Pretty much a straight copy from the original post. ::012::

not to rain on the go pro parade, but the unit vibrates too much, and videos will not turn out well. that was one of the reasons I went away from the pelican setup

 

[oKLRider]

not to rain on the go pro parade, but the unit vibrates too much, and videos will not turn out well. that was one of the reasons I went away from the pelican setup

That's a bummer, but thanks for the input. Main goal is for the Garmin, and should have something workable tonight....hopefully.

 

[greg the pole]

That's a bummer, but thanks for the input. Main goal is for the Garmin, and should have something workable tonight....hopefully.

the pelican works great for cameras (inside) and other small bits and bobs, but I found that I didn't have enough space in mine, and it did send too many vibes up through the tank for the go pro to work properly. picture quality was good though, and your gps will be right there without streching

 

[MikeBear]

How much does this thing weigh compare to ... Lets say OEM tank bag?