Extra storage space on the bike

[macx]

There's never enuf room for the stuff you might want to carry
but very seldom have to dig out, and I want to keep my saddle
bags empty and free of clutter. Also, some things are best
secured, such as insurance card, registration, tool kit, whatever.

Just thought I'd throw this out as I don't ever remember seeing
this mentioned in any of the threads I've read on the topic.

I now store my emergency tire stuff and some papers in a plastic
zip lock bag in there, and there's a good bit of room left for more.

And with the seat locked down, it's as secure as it can get on the
bike.

Don't know how it happened, but last time I had my seat off -
which BTW was before I started storing anything in that cavity -
I noticed the wire going to the air intake temp sensor had bare
spots, so wrapped it with tape and slipped a section of rubber
hose over it to protect it.

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... onbike.jpg

[Ric]

........I now store my emergency tire stuff and some papers in a plastic
zip lock bag in there........

Soooo....where is "in there" ???

[FloridaBeakster]

I do believe he's referring to the cavity under the rear of the gas tank and above the airbox. Keep in mind that that area is not weathertight and is very subject to pollution if you develop a fuel leak under your tank.

Yep, I use that spot, too, and all the rest I can squeeze out of the bike without using luggage. Here's the list of what I store on the bike at all times and without ANY of it in luggage:

IN TOOL ROLL (under rear seat)
spark plug cap remover
spark plug socket
pin/tommy bar
test light
lug bolt socket wrench + extension handle
razor blade
screwdriver (phillips/flat)
allen wrenches: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
stub allen key (14mm, use with wrench)
Torx wrenches: 25, 30, 40, 45
open end wrenches: 8x10, 10x13, 14x15, 17x19
6" adjustable wrench
6" lineman's pliers
feeler gauges: 0.15mm, 0.30mm
cable ties
spare fuses (4A, 7.5A, 10A, 15A, 20A)

TAIL TRUNK (under rear seat)
tire pressure gauge
fuel injection hose clamps (2)
fuel disconnect o-rings (4, with grease)
fuses (15A, 20A)
6mm bolts, washers, nyloc nuts
3/8" drive T-handle adapter
3" 3/8 drive extension
3/8" drive 5mm allen
micro-relay and crimp-on spade connectors
cable ties
registration/insurance
rag
multimeter
luggage straps

BEHIND FUSE BOX (under front seat)
log book and pen
BMWMOA Anonymous book
Motorcycle tow strap (cable tied to frame rail)

IN FUSE BOX (under front seat)
fuse/relay location diagram
wiring diagram
spare fuses (4A, 7.5A, 10A, 15A, 20A)
spare bulbs (turn: 1057, tail: 1077)

ON TOP OF AIR BOX (under gas tank)
12V air compressor
tubeless tire plug kit
waterless hand cleaner
BMW™ socket to SAE adapter
SAE outlet (on end of 3' cable)
length of rope

IN TOOL TUBE (attached to frame in place of canister)
1L unleaded gasoline
fuel injection hose/siphon

[Xdot]

ON TOP OF AIR BOX (under gas tank)
12V air compressor
tubeless tire plug kit
waterless hand cleaner
BMW™ socket to SAE adapter
SAE outlet (on end of 3' cable)
length of rope

non-ABS bike I'm guessing?

[Dr. Strangelove]

ON TOP OF AIR BOX (under gas tank)
12V air compressor
tubeless tire plug kit
waterless hand cleaner
BMW™ socket to SAE adapter
SAE outlet (on end of 3' cable)
length of rope

non-ABS bike I'm guessing?

The abs unit is in front of the battery. so this space described is independent of abs, should it exist. The airbox is at the very rear of the tank. The space for the possibly absent abs unit is not accessible without lifting the tank, but maybe there's a 45 torx bit lurking in there also

But, damn, that's a lot of stuff. It must look like fibber magee's closet in there or organized in some way? Ziplock bags? Picture? Good idea for spare bulbs in the fusebox, though.

John

[Ric]

Is there anything in that space that doesn't need to be covered up with all this stuff...something that could overheat maybe ?

[macx]

Not that I could see. It's on top of the airbox.
Immediately behind the battery.

I don't carry all THAT much "stuff" anyway,
so I only have a couple mostly small items in there.

Just saves me from having to jump on stuff in the
back storage compartment to get the seat locked :-)