So it looks like Ive bought myself a set of panniers..... Do I need to put the heatshield back on my exhaust to prevent them from melting?

I asked the same question to the guy at The BM Shop and he replied it's no big deal if it's fitted or not.

If at all possible, I would. My panniers are fairly old and delapidated, locks prone to opening at the most inappropriate time, requiring a webbed belt around the thing. It does get fairly warm under the LHS pannier, and if you use the webbing, I believe that there is a slight risk of it tending towards a melt.

Rickmeister.

Mind you, Rick's right hand side pannier got rather warm also....46 kms out of Wee Waa.. There was a different reason for that one.

I have Krauser K2 panniers on the K. The heat shield is in place and there is still an amount of heat. Everything in the left hand pannier ends up warm. I cant imagine how it would be without the heat shield.

Heating up the pannier can be a good thing. It can be a pie warmer on longer trips.

stop start traffic and city type driving could certainly warm them up a bit paul

but dont think the guard will make much difference ....

i got the city paniers for just carrying around stuff, local like with a lot more clearance to the muffler .

the big ones go on for away trips ....and then there is lots of air going past anyhow ...havent heard of too many melting mate ....warmish yes ...

just make sure that the locks work properly ....and use them ....the unlocked latched position does wear over time, potholes and engine vibrations etc wear the mechanism clasp . once a little moovement starts ...well more happens real quick ...particuarly the frame locks .....when the actuall lock is in the lock position it restricts the moovement ...and wear

my frame locks used to pop all the time ...so i bought some newbys and replaced them (easliy done ) and now travel with them in the lock position once they are fitted up ....no moovement at all since doing that little excersize and i keep the wear down by using the lock position .

some rubber applied to the clip through the frame (to take up the gap ) also helps reduce the vibration , wear to the frame and lock ...and noise

Just to add to Charlie's bit, replacing the pannier seals with 6mm expanded neoprene strip, the standard strip is 5mm, tightens the fit of the lids, pulls the locks in firmer and improves the waterproofing.

Paul.

thanks for responses......

sidecar paul wrote:Just to add to Charlie's bit, replacing the pannier seals with 6mm expanded neoprene strip, the standard strip is 5mm, tightens the fit of the lids, pulls the locks in firmer and improves the waterproofing.

Paul.

Good Tip Paul. I'vealso taken Charlies advice on fitting some rubber strip to the Z frame track on the pannier side too and it drastically reduced the movement and noise. I've just today been looking at the movement in my latches - it seems to be growing! Time to look at replacing them.

88

i have another tip too 88 maybe i should post a pic ...

try this ,,,,some firm foam rubber near the frame locks ......and a little higher

it buffers the lock and frame to panieers (you can see the distinct impression of the frame in the rubber) ..it also helps stop rattling .

if you look close you can see the bit of rubber thong i used to take up the moovement of the frame locks to the thinned out frame lock section ....works good ...and doesnt cost much at all ...it also keeps some presure on the latch assembly ...





just some ideas that might help someone

Thank you for sharing a photo of your thong with us. You can now explain that to our American friends....thongs are not thongs everywhere!

Charlie wearing a thong OOOOOOOOOOOOhh I shall have PTSD without even leaving my house.

Rick, don't forget it is also made of rubber.....that is a bigger concern.

when I met my wife in the UK I told her all Australians wear thongs and I prefer double plugger rubber ones.....should have seen her eyes!!! and when she saw them and had regained her composure she was glad I put them on my feet.

Rubber Hmmmm now I will never get it out of my mind.
Sorta reminded me of this

ok ...ok ..i get the message thongs is aussie speak for jandles ..flip flops ...call them what you will

crikey rick ! thats an awesome "pucker" image ...dont wanna go there !!!! not this widdle "aussie bleeder" (norman gunston reference )

Rick's cartoon reminds me of a saying ..."if you're not the lead Dog the view is always the same"

Charlie, good idea on the rubbers, in the absence of Jandals, Thongs, Flip Flops etc I picked up these in town today which should do the trick....

Shockingly pricey I know but "Hang the Expense, give the cat a goldfish" I say! :smoke:

A story was circulating many years ago about the UK officials who did not like to have too many international visitors who had very low intelligence. "What can we do to stop these idiots arriving?" was asked.
An easy, fast solution was suggested. If a visitor could tie up his/her shoe laces, a visa would be granted.
The first plane plane arrived and all the officials were ready...........a Qantas plane full of Aussies..........all wearing thongs!

What I've used on the rearside of the panniers is sealing strips for marine use,
on a roll...cut as needed.
Available in different thickness, width and lenght.

Had a PM from ali asking for info on seal suppliers, so here's where I bought my 6mm expanded neoprene cord from, in case anyone else wants some.

http://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/shopping.asp

Paul.