PennyTech PVC Storage. . .12K miles later

[C2W?]

Shortly after I installed my HT panniers, I saw a thread about using a chunk of 4" PVC for a storage device on the "No Exhaust" side of the 6Fiddy.

Neato I thought except I really didn't want to weld on or hack or change the original HT side mount racks.

So for the past 5 months I've had this 4" X 17" hunk of PVC sitting on my workbench. The day before yesterday I finally got off my *** and bumbled/stumbled thru the "PennyTech Engineering & installation" process.




Since I thought that occasionally I might "strap" other items in that area I decided to mount the tube in a fashion that would allow it to (1 bolt) be removed easily.

After deciding roughly where I wanted the tube to sit, I fabricated a small L bracket out of some aluminum, drilled a few holes (yea I know my chamfer job on one of the holes ain't that great) for mounting and rounded up a stainless clamp, bolted one end up and I was ready to tackle the rear mounting.



Rummaging around in my "stuff" organizers I came across these.



I kinda remember picking up these Velcro "devices" at my local Home Depot back when I was a "boat person". The larger of the two was a perfect fit.

Small problem to be addressed: The "Eye" is an oval, not a round hole.


A little more digging and I came up with a longer bolt for one of the HT brackets, a pair of tiny rubber bushings (since the opening was oval shaped, not round) and a fender washer.



Mounted the Strap, positioned the tube, tightened everything up and took it (and the bike ) out for a 288 mile test thrash yeserday. Stayed in the pre-ordained position, didn't come loose, allowed me to take my large book of topo maps with me. aaaaaah the non-smell of success. (as opposed to the smell of burning/rubbing PVC I guess)

4 bucks for the PVC, about 6 or 7 for the two straps (if I remember correctly), another buck for the various nylock nuts, bolts, washers and aluminum. The net result is easy to take off and on (as required) inexpensive extra storage. Looks OK too.

12+K miles later the storage tube is still hanging in there. I've checked it for "loosness" on occasion and actually took it off once when I was replacing my chain, as "planned", EZ off, EZ on. I keep it stocked with Maps and water whenever I ride. Works good and cost "little".

[C2W?]

Couldn't get more than 7 Pix in a single post so here's the 12K+ miles later photo of the bike (on my 1250 miles ride to Reno) with the storage tube.

[Tanker2]

That's pretty slick, Bob. I guess I've got no imagination. I never would have thought of that.

[C2W?]

Thanks but I didn't think of it. . . . It was someone else's idea, I just didn't like the idea of welding on the bike so I "went a different direction".

[Tanker2]

My old bike was a cruiser with a windshield and I had a small camera case that fit perfectly between the windshild supports that I put my small stuff in...cigarettes, cell phone, sunglasses, aspirin, etc. I called it my "purse" and I guess it actually was but it was way handy. Although I have the 3-piece Suzuki hard luggage and a world of storage space I've been missing the convenience of my "purse". I had about decided on a small magnetic tank bag but this gives me another option to consider. Thanks for the post and the photos.

[C2W?]

One of the guys I've occasionally ridden with here locally ("SanDiegoLand" on the ADV Riders & VSRI Forums) put a smaller diameter PVC storage container across the top of the area on the Strom where the top of the fairing and the windshield meet.

[Tanker2]

I like the 4" PVC where you have it. About the same size, angle and position as the muffler is pretty clever. Although nothing on the V-Strom is classically "pretty", and a piece of gray PVC is not something to take the breath away, it does seem to balance the look a little. I think I'll print off a couple of your pictures and suggest this to my buddy who has a V-Rod and watch his face turn red!

[C2W?]

Originally Posted by Tanker2

I like the 4" PVC where you have it. About the same size, angle and position as the muffler is pretty clever. Although nothing on the V-Strom is classically "pretty", and a piece of gray PVC is not something to take the breath away, it does seem to balance the look a little. I think I'll print off a couple of your pictures and suggest this to my buddy who has a V-Rod and watch his face turn red!

Don't forget to get a pix of his "reaction"!

[Tanker2]

True! Although this guy is really pretty cool, so many of those hard-core HD folks are really anal about the whole HD thing. And that's okay. It's just amusing to watch sometimes!

[C2W?]

Originally Posted by Tanker2

True! Although this guy is really pretty cool, so many of those hard-core HD folks are really anal about the whole HD thing. And that's okay. It's just amusing to watch sometimes!

Amen Brother. . . . .

[stp1971]

Hey wait a minute. My strom has been called a "Very Pretty Bike" by more than a few people. I think that blue from '05 has something to do with it.

But anyways,, that is a cool rack idea. I think the next farkle will have to be the highway bar setup and if the driver backrest will work with the Sargent Seat one of those as well.

Then when I get to where I think I can stand to ride it for longer than I can now then some sort of hard storage will be in the picture.

But the PVC tube Idea is a cool idea.

[intimid8er]

Great pics and instructions C2......

Guys....I can feel the pull of the darkside.....

I can pay the M off right now with some Momma don't know money, come home with a bike and have some splainin' to do, or be patient for a few months......

C2 and Sean.....Back on topic......with the PVC tube.....here's a little food for thought.

In my many Internet wanderings, I came across a similiar mod, although, this guy I found, modified it, and then finished it with a left side heat shield and muffler cap from a DL1000 he got off of E-bay! Looked slick as hell, and a clever ruse it was! It made the six fiddy appear as if he had dual exhaust on it!

Just food for thought.

[stp1971]

There is that one fellow who makes the left side saddle support and it looks like a heat shield setup when bolted to the bike. I bet you could modify a tube to go up under that setup also.

Resistance is futile.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by stp1971

There is that one fellow who makes the left side saddle support and it looks like a heat shield setup when bolted to the bike. I bet you could modify a tube to go up under that setup also.

(Snicker...snicker)

What the eff did I just say!!???




BTW: I alerted you yesterday....were you on the Strom?

[Louis]

Good job! Great pictorial too!

You should mock the exhaust tip, at least only in paint, on the tube cover

[Tanker2]

Originally Posted by stp1971

There is that one fellow who makes the left side saddle support and it looks like a heat shield setup when bolted to the bike. I bet you could modify a tube to go up under that setup also.

Resistance is futile.

I think that's Dan Vesel isn't it? I've got his hiway pegs and am about to order his backrest.

[Tanker2]

I can pay the M off right now with some Momma don't know money, come home with a bike and have some splainin' to do, or be patient for a few months......
Down here we call that "She Money"...Money "She" don't know I've got

[stp1971]

Tanker,,, how sturdy is his highway peg setup??? Does it flex from front to rear or is it rock solid. When you get the backrest measure the inside to inside dimension between the uprights. I think the Sargent may be too wide for it.

[C2W?]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Great pics and instructions C2......

Guys....I can feel the pull of the darkside.....

I can pay the M off right now with some Momma don't know money, come home with a bike and have some splainin' to do, or be patient for a few months......

It's futile to try and resist. . . .

Originally Posted by intimid8er

C2 and Sean.....Back on topic......with the PVC tube.....here's a little food for thought.

In my many Internet wanderings, I came across a similiar mod, although, this guy I found, modified it, and then finished it with a left side heat shield and muffler cap from a DL1000 he got off of E-bay! Looked slick as hell, and a clever ruse it was! It made the six fiddy appear as if he had dual exhaust on it!

Just food for thought.

I saw the thread he did...looks great. It's either something like that or a "Faux" gatling gun tailpipe!

[Tanker2]

Originally Posted by stp1971

Tanker,,, how sturdy is his highway peg setup??? Does it flex from front to rear or is it rock solid. When you get the backrest measure the inside to inside dimension between the uprights. I think the Sargent may be too wide for it.

Absolutely solid. No flex at all. I was thinking about engine guards but these can offer some protection...Not like a product made to do it but some nonetheless. I found him to be very responsive and a pleasure to deal with.
Here's a link to Dan's website with pix and info. about his products.

My V-Strom Accessories and Motorcycle Memories