Triumphrat

Grimsby53 · 11-27-2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesman77

I'll be removing my seat and battery in the next week, to finish off winterizing, and take a closer look. Maybe there's a way to reinforce the frame plate that your seat attaches to that's in jeopardy - fender washers or a plate? It's been a while since I looked at that area and maybe nothing can be done. Hopefully that would force any fatigue from the bike's frame to the bags' frames.

I really can't see how the bike's frame could fatigue and fail from the load of the bags. The force should be channeled neatly down the "corner gusset" and down tube just forward of the shock. If the tail of the frame can support a passenger way out back, then it can handle ~60lbs of stuff in the bags.

Now if it's the mounting plate that goes over the frame rails that you're worried about... maybe. The ends of the plate might flex and fatigue over time, but it's probably 3/16 thick-- it will take a while to fail. I think the welded mounting tab at the top of the bag-frame (rear) will fail first, if anything. I'm not an engineer, mind you... just a physics teacher. I could be wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesman77

As for a tie bar, maybe something as simple as "P" clamps on the bag frame loops w/ a bar attached at either end would work. Your install is so clean-looking, threaded rod might look out of place unless you slid black tubing over it. Just a thought.

That's a good idea. A black painted piece of bar stock (or threaded rod with tubing-- also a good idea) would do it with p-clamps. I do agree it looks pretty clean, but if I'm loading up for a trip, they'll probably be a tail bag sitting up top instead of the cowl, so the cafe-look is pretty shot at that point anyway. Function is more important.

Side note, I tested them up to 95mph last night

They're still there.

Grimsby53 · 11-27-2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyVet

Looks sharp Grim!

Thanks, Vet!

bluesman77 · 11-28-2012, 06:39 PM

The frame failure I read about is the plate the seat attaches to. Because the mounts are only held in (2) places, if any appreciable weight is placed in the bags, they tend to move from side to side working the frame plate and eventually cracking it. The post I read included photos of the plate cracked at the holes used for attaching grab rails and other accessories in that area and it was the exact same set of brackets. It's not the weight on the bracket causing the failure - it's the side movement cycling.

I really can't see how the bike's frame could fatigue and fail from the load of the bags. The force should be channeled neatly down the "corner gusset" and down tube just forward of the shock. If the tail of the frame can support a passenger way out back, then it can handle ~60lbs of stuff in the bags.

Grimsby53 · 11-29-2012, 07:00 AM

Can you post a link to that thread? I just can't picture it. The bag-frames mount to a plate that runs over the frame, between the frame and the seat. It's an add-on from NB that bolts down with 4 allen-bolts. If that's the part that eventually breaks, I'd be OK with that (as long as it doesn't happen once a year), because it's seperate from the frame. If it's a part of the bike's frame, I'd be much more concerned...

But... I love my new setup. I love getting to work, turning the key and pulling the left side case right off, and carying it in like a breifcase. It holds my (large) coffee thermos, my lunch, my shoes (so I can change out of my boots-which also fit in the case), plus a few file folders if I need to take work to or from home. When I go to school, it holds my school bag with laptop perfectly (if you had a 17" LT it wouldn't fit, but my 15" fits great). I could live with just one case, but it looks funny (sorry, Scram owners!). So the other one stays on the bike with my gloves, rain gear, scarf & sweater, sunglasses, and a little combo-lock to keep the honest honest (my Triumph key chain is already overtaxed at three). No more backpack required.

hermie · 11-29-2012, 12:36 PM

Not to be a dick,but doesn't the bags defeat the cafe concept....bagger

bluesman77 · 11-30-2012, 06:17 PM

CORRECTION!!!
I wasn't able to find the thread, but looked at the current instruction sheet & see where the confusion lies. The frame that was breaking was caused by mounting the side brackets directly to the bike's frame instead of the bracket which goes on top it. It appears they ordered the brackets w/o the mounting plate or chose not to use it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimsby53

Can you post a link to that thread? I just can't picture it. The bag-frames mount to a plate that runs over the frame, between the frame and the seat. It's an add-on from NB that bolts down with 4 allen-bolts. If that's the part that eventually breaks, I'd be OK with that (as long as it doesn't happen once a year), because it's seperate from the frame. If it's a part of the bike's frame, I'd be much more concerned...

But... I love my new setup. I love getting to work, turning the key and pulling the left side case right off, and carying it in like a breifcase. It holds my (large) coffee thermos, my lunch, my shoes (so I can change out of my boots-which also fit in the case), plus a few file folders if I need to take work to or from home. When I go to school, it holds my school bag with laptop perfectly (if you had a 17" LT it wouldn't fit, but my 15" fits great). I could live with just one case, but it looks funny (sorry, Scram owners!). So the other one stays on the bike with my gloves, rain gear, scarf & sweater, sunglasses, and a little combo-lock to keep the honest honest (my Triumph key chain is already overtaxed at three). No more backpack required.

Danam · 03-11-2013, 08:21 PM

Grimsby53, just wanted to check in and see how those Pelican bags are working out for you. Are they staying put? Any fatigue in the brackets? I bought the same brackets myself.

Grimsby53 · 03-12-2013, 12:32 PM

Danam, they are holding up just fine. I can't say I've loaded them both to the max and gone tearing across the country, but they work a treat in my daily commute. Most days I'll just use one or the other, but when the weather is colder, I use both, so I have room for all my cold-gear on the much warmer ride home. My only complaint is that the rubber tabs (isolators?) Atop the brackets is already splitting and looking shabby. They warn you in the instructions that this is a wear-item, but they wore awfully fast. I'll look for something tougher when I get around to replacing them. Good luck with your set-up.

Cheers, Matt