JDChico89

I made a sling pack for my panniers.

I'll tell you, being almost 50, with self-diagnosed carpal tunnel (i.e. numb wrists), this thing has been a LIFESAVER! It's not a cruise control by any measure, but it really helps.

Who want's to start a business? I think there's an opportunity here!!!

Thanks @dazzler24! I'll try...I mean, MY FRIEND will try those out!

Put on a one of these thingies!

What are your thoughts on improving chafing in the nether regions? Asking for a friend.

So, was it worth it? Hmmm...I think yes. I learned the internal functioning of a mystery, made some new friends, and got them to laugh. All in all, I'd say it was WELL worth it! Ride safe friends!

MISTAKES WERE MADE PART VIII Countdown to completion. or All good things come to an end. With the inner rack complete, my wife had the great idea of making the rack removeable in case we went on an overnight trip. But in my home, I’m THE MAN! She's not the boss of me!! (Please don’t tell her I said that). I’d actually had grandiose ideas of using weld nuts and knurled bolts to set up the rack to take it out at will. But it would take some awkward angling to put them in and take them out each time, so I decided to pass. The next time I rip apart an expensive pannier, I’ll go with that plan. It took a while to rivet the original parts back in place but in the end, they functioned as if they had never been molested by some hack with a drill. The magic was happening!!! I went to the store and got some black-adhesive-sauce, akin to the ridiculously horrible rage-glue Yamaha tried to foil my original plans with and got to work. The question remained: Would the panniers shells slide back together? Would they fit?? Would they come together as one, never to part again??? Alas, with some tape and time… the heavens opened… the angels sang… ...and the panniers shells slid together like sweet, sweet lovers!!! With the pannier shells joined, there was one final concern. @Wintersdark tapped into this deep menacing fear in an earlier post. THE HANDLE! The little monster that prompted this whole “adventure.” It was time to find out! And so, my friends, it is with humble heart, and proud tear-brimmed eyes, I can now share the following announcement with the world… The handle… Now only… KIND OF sticks up!

Thanks @Wintersdark. I just used some plastic I repurposed from a bag. Never underestimate the value of a janky freezer bag full of gear!

MISTAKES WERE MADE Part VII Whilst waiting for some parts to arrive for the pannier’s organization rack, I decided to make something to fit in the bottom left space. Now, my wife LOVES when I use her sewing machine, and practically BEGS me to use it for heavy-duty projects! With that in mind, I figured I’d do her a favor and make some sweet stuff on it. Having been a Paramedic in an earlier life, I decided to make up a First-Aid/Trauma-Kit. I’ve needed similar kits in the past, and who knows but that someday it might even save MY life! Complete with magnetic enclosures and a cool red pull-handle, we were on our way! SAFETY FIRST!!! (…or at least in the top five).

I literally just found out what OP means. Who knew? I mean besides you, @koth442. If you ever some around, let's go for a ride!

Now that the pannier had opened its flower to mankind, it was time to get in there and make some improvements! What would make things better? A massive speaker to blast hippity-hop music at stop lights? A foldout hammock system for naps on long rides? Oversized peanut brittle can coiled snakes to punish thieves who try to steal my stuff? The possibilities were ENDLESS!!! I meditated deeply on the project, and whilst traveling the astral plain, my spirit animal (a trash panda) provided the wisdom to organize the pannier, so my sweet gear could be nestled gently in portioned alcoves. The astral plain had no peanuts, or in-flight movie. Three stars at best.

I got mine here for $32 bucks. It's a bargain at half the price! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P1QGY4L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Excellent!!! Chico just had a quick moving fire. Let's hope they settle that and there's no more in the Bucks Lake area.

MISTAKES WERE MADE PART VI Working title: Love fixes all. - or - If this is love is wrong, I don’t WANT to be right!!! After a few days of psychological abuse by Amazon (What do you mean, you cancelled my order? The new order is going to be here today by 10? What do you mean it’s delayed? WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S GOING TO BE HERE TOMORROW???), my magical heat stapler arrived!!! So, the heat stapler is obviously cheaply made (my style), but not POORLY made. I have never fallen in love with a tool so quickly! By simply inserting a staple, and pressing a button, the magic of induction causes the staple to become melt-worthy within just a few seconds. Give it a few more seconds, and the staple is RED hot! 5 out of 5 STARS!!! Here’s a few pictures to show the progress of rebuilding the 6-million-dollar pannier. There’s obvious work to be done, but I think she’s mending well. I have one hole left, because I ran out of Kydex. I guess it's time for another Amazon emotional rollercoaster!