A Pelican Tank Box ------------ I'm Wired

[munchmeister]

Do you know if Peli-cases ever come with integrated keyed locks??

that's one of the things I DON'T like about them - the need for a seperate padlock. I find padlocks fiddly and awkward to use so would far prefer a built in lock on the catches - something every bike-specific top-box has.

Roger of http://www.cariboucases.com sells some Pelicans with a lock he has integrated into the box. His setup makes for a sweet pannier system but he sells just the box.

http://www.adventure-motorcycle.com/sto ... tem=000012

--Doug

[Lost Rider]

ChiTown,

Is that Grand Marais as in the North Shore of Lake Superior?

Yes it is, I took a couple of rides around Lake Michigan this summer. The UP is a nice place to ride, and a great place to do some fishing. Hopefully I can make it back there this spring.

You just have to be careful on roads like this in the UP.




But once you make it through that you can see this:



Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore




and catch some dinner...

ChiTown

I spent a few years in Chicago, Elk Grove Village, to be precise and really enjoyed my time there.

I worked in Elk Grove for a few years, it still freakes me out to see huge elk grazing in the forest preserve in the middle of a city...

Roger of http://www.cariboucases.com sells some Pelicans with a lock he has integrated into the box. His setup makes for a sweet pannier system but he sells just the box.

http://www.adventure-motorcycle.com/sto ... tem=000012

--Doug

That's pretty slick, might have to look into mounting a lock in mine...
I wonder where I can source the lock from.... maybe Grainger??

[snowprick]

Hey ChiTown,

I was already jealous, now you rub my face in it. Well get this, its about 80 degrees here and a bright sunny day. I'm going out for a long ride in a minute, how about you? HA!

Is it a wee bit cold there?

[Lost Rider]

Hey ChiTown,

I was already jealous, now you rub my face in it. Well get this, its about 80 degrees here and a bright sunny day. I'm going out for a long ride in a minute, how about you? HA!

Is it a wee bit cold there?

I thought you might like the pics....

Actually...... it was a record breaking 67º on Monday. Unfourtunately I'm in the middle of a seat swap so I didn't get to take advantage of it. Back below freezing now in Chicago.
80º sure would be nice right about now!

Guess I'll have to ride to the Florida Key's....... I'm in the middle of doing my 24,000 mile service to prep for the trip....


Cheers!

[Canyon Runner]

Who makes that cool multi-pin connector?

Just FYI.... that connector looks a lot like a Socapex connector (http://www.socapex.com/), a division of Amphenol. Amphenol makes pretty much every type of connector in the world, but the Socapex connector (which it looks to be that you might be using, or a closely matched copy) is very popular in media systems for performing arts (which is where I make my living).

Anyway, just FYI. Thanks for the cool project pics!

[Zen Rider]

Chi:

I'm new to this site (I just sold my K12S, and am considering a R12R).

So where did you purchase your Pelican Bags and what are the model numbers for the bags you purchased (searching their website, I see no motorcycle-specific models) ?

BTW: Very nice job!

"Function over form" is very keeping with the bike.

[Klink]

So Joe, you travel alone? Doncha get lonely? Seriously.

I tried it once, long, long ago. First day was ok, then it started to do my head in not having anyone to talk to.

[johnnyjs1]

Chi:

I'm new to this site (I just sold my K12S, and am considering a R12R).

So where did you purchase your Pelican Bags and what are the model numbers for the bags you purchased (searching their website, I see no motorcycle-specific models) ?

BTW: Very nice job!

"Function over form" is very keeping with the bike.

Pelican does not have motorcycle specific cases. Many use the 1400, 1500, 1510 and 1550 sizes for their bikes. I might be able to get you all but the 1510 size. Or you can just go to cases4less . com mine are cheaper though)

[Zen Rider]

Chi:

I'm new to this site (I just sold my K12S, and am considering a R12R).

So where did you purchase your Pelican Bags and what are the model numbers for the bags you purchased (searching their website, I see no motorcycle-specific models) ?

BTW: Very nice job!

"Function over form" is very keeping with the bike.

Pelican does not have motorcycle specific cases. Many use the 1400, 1500, 1510 and 1550 sizes for their bikes. I might be able to get you all but the 1510 size. Or you can just go to cases4less . com mine are cheaper though)

Based on these pics, can you determine which Pelican bags Chi has used?

If so, what are their respective part numbers?

Many thanks

[taosports]

Based on these pics, can you determine which Pelican bags Chi has used?

If so, what are their respective part numbers?

Many thanks

Front : 1200
Rear : 1510 w/ wheels and handle removed

How do I know? I read the beginning of this thread.

[Lost Rider]

Who makes that cool multi-pin connector?

Just FYI.... that connector looks a lot like a Socapex connector (http://www.socapex.com/), a division of Amphenol. Amphenol makes pretty much every type of connector in the world, but the Socapex connector (which it looks to be that you might be using, or a closely matched copy) is very popular in media systems for performing arts (which is where I make my living).

Exactly. I'm a Lighting Designer / Video Engineer who tours quite a bit so that's where I came up with the idea, since Pelican cases and these types of multi-pin or "soco" plugs are common in the industry. I think these connectors were being used for sub-snakes or rack jumps for a sound/lighting company I do some work for. Low Voltage/signal type stuff.

Chi:


So where did you purchase your Pelican Bags and what are the model numbers for the bags you purchased (searching their website, I see no motorcycle-specific models) ?


"Function over form" is very keeping with the bike.

I bought the 1200 Pelican case at the the company I was working for at the time, the 1510 I bought here: http://www.pelican-case.com
If your going the Pelican top box route be sure to purchase the "Lid Organizer", it really helps um.... organize things.

So Joe, you travel alone? Doncha get lonely? Seriously.

I tried it once, long, long ago. First day was ok, then it started to do my head in not having anyone to talk to.

No way, I live for that alone time. I am not married and have no children yet. Generally I spend 2-3 months at a time on tour, living on a tour-bus with 10 other guys. I also live in the heart of Chicago, kind of a big city.....
So when I can get out on my bike it's all about me, and being able to to do as I please when I please, and how I please. It's pure Heaven. The further away from people, cities, cars, traffic, litter, crime, etc. the better. I really just started riding again a few years back, and I couldn't have done it at a better time. Now riding, especially on long solo rides is my therapy, my time to deflate, and my time to take in the beautiful world around me and deflate my ego and remind myself how small I really am in the big scheme of things. I'm not religious in any way, but solo rides are very spiritual to me. I can sit next to a fire and look at it, or my bike, or the stars and just be.
I've done some long trips riding 2-up, and while it was fun, it also takes away from the whole experience. Especially when you have to factor someone else's safety gong into some twisty roads, through a river, or across a desert... I've never taken any long trips with other riders, and don't think I will any time soon. Does that mean I'm anti social? I don't think so. Most of the interesting characters I've met in my travels ( something I also enjoy ) I wouldn't have met if I was with others because I wouldn't have been sitting there by myself eating, reading a map or gassing up. People that will approach solo traveler would never do so if I was with someone, because chances are I would be talking with them while we're stopped... or at a campsite. A few times I'm not actually alone because I meet people along the way, sometimes at campsites ( though I always look for the most remote campgrounds, and sites in the campgrounds), heck I've had dinner at stranger's houses who invited me there in my travels.
Traveling with others just distracts me from seeing eveything..
With all that said I'm going to copy some wisdom from GypsyRR, I hope she doesn't mind...

Try to see something you've never seen before each day. It's a better way to track time than the usual 24 hour clock. It makes time develop around memories rather than the other way around.


The way I see it my time spend alone with my bike, really living, doesn't count against my life-clock counter.

Hey ChiTown,

I was already jealous, now you rub my face in it. Well get this, its about 80 degrees here and a bright sunny day. I'm going out for a long ride in a minute, how about you? HA!

Is it a wee bit cold there?

80º sure would be nice right about now!

Guess I'll have to ride to the Florida Key's....... I'm in the middle of doing my 24,000 mile service to prep for the trip....

Hey snowprick, since you had to remind me of riding in warm weather and I had the time, I took a trip south. About 2,500 km in the same direction, try that in the Philippines!














My ride home was a little challenging, good character building...

[Canyon Runner]

... Exactly. I'm a Lighting Designer / Video Engineer who tours quite a bit...

Great Stuff, Chitown. I am an old sound designer/ mix engineer/ technical director who now makes his living designing audio, video, control, and infrastructure for permanent installation, mainly in performing arts. Used to push faders, now I mainly push a mouse around (AutoCAD).

Good post about the solitude and the beauty of that and what comes with it. I am always happy to hear of a kindred soul. I took a long ride over the holidays, and already feel like it is time for another.

Maybe we will cross paths in a cafe, somewhere.

Cheers, man. enjoy.

-Kyle

[snowprick]

"Hey snowprick, since you had to remind me of riding in warm weather and I had the time, I took a trip south. About 2,500 km in the same direction, try that in the Philippines! "

Keep it up ChiTown, just keep it up!!!!

[Lost Rider]

"
Keep it up ChiTown, just keep it up!!!!

I just received my new MacBook Air with a solid state HD too!


Just kidding....


If it will make you feel better, yesterday the temp here dropped 40º in 6 hours with 40mph winds and now it's snowing 4-6". No riding for me for a little while...

[SLEDGE]

ChiTown, you the man!

[wncbmw]

Hey Chitown - you told me you were going to post the "Waffle House" trip pics. I see you got started on it!

I agree with you on traveling alone. While I greatly enjoy riding with folks and friends at the Bash and weekend rides, when it comes time to boggie down the highway and eat up some miles, I usually would rather ride alone.

There are some exceptions however!

[gaijin]

Joe,

I am considering getting Pelican case for the back carrying rack. What case model is shown on your bike, 1500? Did you simply drilled four holes to your carrying rack and mount the case to it? It looks real nice.

I've been wanting a Pelican tank box to add to my bike, and I finally put together all the components.
I had some special requirements for the box, and here's what I came up with.



Since I already had a SW-Motech tank bag, with a tank-ring and quick release mount, I had that covered. I finally decided on a Pelican 1200, not too big, not too small. Lockable, removable, waterproof and indestructible.







I took the mount off of the SW-Motech bag, lined it up, drilled 4 holes and was good to go. That's the easy part.













Notice the wires coming out? Well that's where things started to get a little more complex. I wanted the box to have a multi-pin, waterproof connector wired into it so I could remove it very easily, either to bring it with me or to just lose it all together. I managed to find a suitable 9 pin connector at one of the audio companies I work with.







One twist and it's gone.





I wired in 2 power cables for my GPS, and for the dual accessory outlet, each individually fused and grounded. Then I wired in a stereo audio cable to get sound out of my iPhone, iPod, or XM from the Garmin. That leaves me 2 empty pins for future use.
I also shortened the iPhone/iPod charger's cable to keep it neat.










Since I had most of this stuff hard wired into my soft bag, I could move it out of the way to fuel, but could not remove it all together. Not any more!
















Now, on to my last hurdle. Since I used a GPS mount that connected to the tank bag, I had to figure out how to mount the Streetpilot and XM antenna to the box. It had to be self contained with no wires coming out of it to a handlebar mount, etc...
I ended up modifying a SW-Motech/Garmin handlebar mount, drilling a hole through one of the halves of the bar mount. 1 screw and nut for the GPS ( It's very solid), and 2 small factory screws to hold the antenna. It takes less that 5 minutes to install or remove the GPS system to the box. Thats good enough for me, since I only use the GPS for out of town trips anyway for the most part.













Flood Warning! Good thing I don't have to worry about rain covers any longer
















I'm hoping to shorten up the USB cable, but I'm going to talk to Garmin before I get to cutting.



A little e-tape on the inside keeps the rain out when the GPS is off



Here's where the Audio comes out.




Pelican Cases Rock!

[Lost Rider]

Hello gaijin,
Thank you.
It is a Pelican 1510, with lid organizer. I removed the wheels and handles from it.
Yes, I did just screw it to the rack.
I removed the silver trim off of the factory rack, then using it as a template I drilled holes into the Pelican to match the rack. I replaced the trim, put a thin piece of foam about the size of the rack down. Using larger screws I secured the box to the factory rack. That's it.

I installed a couple mini-Rok Straps fastened with eye-bolts to the top of the Pelican, increasing my capacity for large items like fire wood, a case of beer, or a spare tire even.
A BMW Roundel, and a pair of Hyperlites 2 x 16 LED's completes the box.

Cheers!


Joe[/i]

[gaijin]

Joe,

Thanks. After I received my tax refund, I will start this project "Peligan". However, I will use wing nuts inside the box, so, I can remove it off the bike at home. I do not have the garage.

This case will work well with my Moto Fizz bag.

thanks again.

gaijin

Hello gaijin,
Thank you.
It is a Pelican 1510, with lid organizer. I removed the wheels and handles from it.
Yes, I did just screw it to the rack.
I removed the silver trim off of the factory rack, then using it as a template I drilled holes into the Pelican to match the rack. I replaced the trim, put a thin piece of foam about the size of the rack down. Using larger screws I secured the box to the factory rack. That's it.

I installed a couple mini-Rok Straps fastened with eye-bolts to the top of the Pelican, increasing my capacity for large items like fire wood, a case of beer, or a spare tire even.
A BMW Roundel, and a pair of Hyperlites 2 x 16 LED's completes the box.

Cheers!


Joe[/i]