Ammo cans sidecases idea. Need some input.

[dougwo]

I know this is no new ideas but I want some input before I sink a couple hundre dollars on these metal cans.
I found a website who sell powder coated ammo cans in different colors. So I got this idea to get a set of silver ones and
attached them to Hepco Becker side racks using SW-motech adaptor plates.

I am also planning on putting some kitchen cabinets handles on the lid as anchor points for bungee cords.

So the cost... $150 for 2 Ammo Cans + $110 for SW Motech adaptor + $290 Hepco Becker  = $550 TOTAL

I mean 1 SW Motech Alu-box cost almost $500 already~

Any comments or input are welcome!

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[motoarch]

I check avrider and BMW forums for info on this setup.  I've seen bmw GS's with these before.   Great idea good luck with your project.

[m_melen]

Damn those things are expensive. I found a free one in the woods yesterday while I was playing soccer!

[Badot]

I'd be looking to spend $30 on ammo cans... $5-10 for a piece of steel to fab a bracket... and throw in a can of spray paint.

Ammo cans on bikes are meant to be cheap and simple hardcases on a budget. If you're spending $500 you might as well buy real hardcases unless you really like the boxy look of the ammo cans (which are bad for aerodynamics by the way).

[jestercinti]

Ammo cans have never been for me.  It's the utilitarian look that I get, but not my style. 

Search Google.  Tons of info.  Kawasaki KLR and BMW F series Enduro bikes are a best bet for searching on how-tos.

[dougwo]

I'd be looking to spend $30 on ammo cans... $5-10 for a piece of steel to fab a bracket... and throw in a can of spray paint.

Ammo cans on bikes are meant to be cheap and simple hardcases on a budget. If you're spending $500 you might as well buy real hardcases unless you really like the boxy look of the ammo cans (which are bad for aerodynamics by the way).

That's exactly what I thought too until I looked into getting the real metal side cases. They are about 500 a piece(SW Motech or Hepco Becker), almost $1300 for the whole set comparing to $500. So in a sense, its still a cheap(er) alternative with the same mounting solutions and rust protection.

I also feel that these cases doesn't really match GS500F style, but I'm looking to purchase a CB500X or NC700X as a second bike later this year. Ammo cans look badass on an adventure bike haha.

I wish I got photoshop on my computer so I see how weird it gonna look on a GS500F...

[utzguy]

$130?! That's insane. Ammo cans in good condition can be acquired for $10-$15 each and powder coating shouldn't be that expensive. Not worth it anyway. You can get textured spray paint at Home Depot/Lowes/other home improvement store.

But I don't think I would like them on the GS. On an adventure bike? Maybe.

[ohgood]

I check avrider and BMW forums for info on this setup.  I've seen bmw GS's with these before.   Great idea good luck with your project.

bingo.

didn't yamahondakawazuki do a cx500 with ammo cans for like $4 ?



hold on...


sorry, it was "makenzie71" but all his pics are shot of the project. ping him and ask.


advrider has some real cheap fucks, check the KLR section for this kinda thing that rocks.

[dougwo]

I was looking for a little more model specific info here, such as weight, COG, and clearance. but I guess no one has this kind of set up on a GS500.

I don't think $75 a piece for an ammo box is that expensive... Considering they sand blasted and power coated them already. I'm trying to save a couple hundred dollars but not trying to be a cheapskate. I want them to look half decent and last awhile without rust stain everywhere. I want a custom look not a junkyard build.

But common opinion here appear to think it doesn't match the look of a GS500F. Guess I should just  get another bike that is more adv style before I play with this idea again.

[Janx101]

i reckon if you like the idea Doug then go for it!! .. each to their own... unless of course you have a BMW Adventure unit and put those bloody silver sidecases on!!  .. thats just nobby 

you aiming for this kinda thing though? 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r65ROlSWlf4/UL4AuxzCo0I/AAAAAAAABeY/7_U7h6IDrg8/s1600/MachineGunMotorcycle.jpg

[browncheetah]

how much does the cans weight? 15 lbs each?

[dougwo]

i reckon if you like the idea Doug then go for it!! .. each to their own... unless of course you have a BMW Adventure unit and put those bloody silver sidecases on!!  .. thats just nobby 

you aiming for this kinda thing though? 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r65ROlSWlf4/UL4AuxzCo0I/AAAAAAAABeY/7_U7h6IDrg8/s1600/MachineGunMotorcycle.jpg

Not quite that extreme... But I like it! I'm trying to make it look more like those aluminum cases on BMWs, just not the $1300 price tag. I think the painted ammo cans look pretty darn close!

[Janx101]

  .... burn him!!! .. burn the pagan!!.. 

[dougwo]

how much does the cans weight? 15 lbs each?

One of the KLR post reported it weighs 19.5 lbs a piece not including mounting hardware. I think the whole setup is pushing 50 lbs empty. Would it be a concern?

[dougwo]

.... burn him!!! .. burn the pagan!!.. 

Calm down!! If I still have my old 2002 naked GS500, I would have gone for a look for like this... But with a fake claymore as a windscreen! Hahahahaha! See what you started!? I may have to look into getting another naked GS!

[ohgood]

I was looking for a little more model specific info here, such as weight, COG, and clearance. but I guess no one has this kind of set up on a GS500.

I don't think $75 a piece for an ammo box is that expensive... Considering they sand blasted and power coated them already. I'm trying to save a couple hundred dollars but not trying to be a cheapskate. I want them to look half decent and last awhile without rust stain everywhere. I want a custom look not a junkyard build.

But common opinion here appear to think it doesn't match the look of a GS500F. Guess I should just  get another bike that is more adv style before I play with this idea again.

changing the headlight for a more bmw or ktm -esque look will do a lot. there is some functionality to those mini flyscreens that hide electronics (gps, iphone, etc) and gets a little bit of wind off your chest. it would be very easy to complete an adv style setup with a gs:

1 1/2" up/back bar riders
crash bars
kenda 244's (cheap, and very easy to spoon on)
dirtbike fender
ammo cans (very functional, very cheap, very good)


if you plumb in some 12v connections, you can charge your mp3 player/phone/gps on the fly too. a quick seat pad install makes a big difference too. there is no way i'll poo-poo an idea to 'adv-up' a gs. small cc bikes with big adventures in mind are my favorite. the opposite ($25000 bike at starbucks), not so much.


if you want to do the spray bed-liner thing to the boxes, it will work well, and provide added slide protection to both you and the bike.

short version: go for it

[Bluesmudge]

Sounds expensive to me for those heavy ammo cans. They are soooo heavy.

For less than $600 I got new hepco & becker racks ($280) and like-new 30L "Junior" side bags ($300 for the pair). Much lighter, and they actually look correct on the GS.
Adidasguy found an entire hepco and becker rack + cases for the E models on eBay for much much less than that.
There are better deals to be had for a set-up that doesn't look DIY. Have you considered Pelican cases? They are cheaper and lighter and might look more appropriate on a GS. I had the 1430 top-loaders on my last bike with hepco & becker racks + happy trails mounting kit.

[Worm]

Happy-trail.com has several different aluminum panniers for $250-300 a piece. The mounting hardware is in the $50 range but a trip to the hardware store can probably find stuff to work for a lot less than that.

[dougwo]

Sounds expensive to me for those heavy ammo cans. They are soooo heavy.

For less than $600 I got new hepco & becker racks ($280) and like-new 30L "Junior" side bags ($300 for the pair). Much lighter, and they actually look correct on the GS.
Adidasguy found an entire hepco and becker rack + cases for the E models on eBay for much much less than that.
There are better deals to be had for a set-up that doesn't look DIY. Have you considered Pelican cases? They are cheaper and lighter and might look more appropriate on a GS. I had the 1430 top-loaders on my last bike with hepco & becker racks + happy trails mounting kit.

The hepco Becker cases actually looks good on the F. I guess I'll try to look for used ones on eBay first.

Oh and thanks for the happy trails idea... I didn't know their cases are so cheap! I'll definitely buy those for my next bike this fall!!

[noworries]

Ideas:
http://technabob.com/blog/2010/03/08/gascase-gasoline-can-suitcase/