A few cheap (but cool) add-ons - CHEAP-O THREAD!

BigRat · 12-07-2012, 04:32 PM

Thought I'd start a cheap-o thread. I love add-ons, but the price of some of this stuff can be a little hard on the wallet, so I thought I'd share some of my recently added goodies with you.

1) Bag-in-a-Bag - Saddlebag shelf alternative. I took a bank bag and added grommets to the back of it and bolted it inside the saddlebag for small items like glasses and gloves, etc (mounting bolts are 7-1/2" apart) - Less than $10.00. That way you don't really lose any height inside the bag.

2) Fanny-Pack windshield bag - Again, the grommet kit comes in very handy. Four of them added to the back of this Fanny-pack, and cut off the straps and there is a nice multi-pocket windshield bag for about $8.00.

3) My long-time favorite - the Cheapskin seat pad - A carpeted toilet-lid cover, with padding and no-slip shelf liner added to it. A strap attached to the underside of the seat makes for easy on and off. VERY COMFY - Less than $10.00.

4) Windshield border - I use split rubber tubing (3/16" ID) and wrap the edge of the windshield and lowers. Protects the edge from chipping and looks pretty cool. About 60 cents a foot. It holds itself on for the most part. I did drill very small holes at the ends and attached a zip tie to keep them in place. (To easily split the tubing, get a piece of wood and drill a hole near the end just big enough for the tubing to fit through. Tap an Exacto blade a little less than halfway down into the hole. Pull the tubing through and Voila', split tubing.)

**cnc** · 12-07-2012, 04:44 PM

Thanks for the ideas, I have almost the exact same fanny pack as a windsheild bag. works great.

**crazygene49** · 12-07-2012, 04:57 PM

Thanks for the suggestions!

dshelly · 12-07-2012, 05:02 PM

The Bag looks good, I like that. However I don't care for the tubing around the windshield. That will suck to clean the bugs off. Just my 2 cents worth.

BigRat · 12-07-2012, 05:16 PM

Feel free to post your own penny-tech mods. Maybe we can start a collection here.

Never had any added problems with bug-removal due to window edging so far.

Bud2rat · 12-07-2012, 07:37 PM

Bigrat, I like your way of thinking, creativity. Thanks for sharing.

Netnorske · 12-07-2012, 08:12 PM

My fav is the chrome door edge molding....about $10.00 per roll at any auto parts store. I used it on my saddlebag door edges, trunk lid edge, front fender, and both upper and lower fairings. I had it on my old Nomad and wasted no time getting it on my Voyager as well. Cheap, easy bling...

!

BigRat · 12-07-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Netnorske

My fav is the chrome door edge molding.......!

I read your other post and really like the look and the creativeness. Tightwads gotta stick together!

Thanks Bud2rat! I am lucky to even have the Nomad, but it sure did break my bank account getting it. I am used to cheap-o mods, but now I also have to make them look really nice to go with the Nomad.

Someone needs to post a nice looking homemade rear rack. I just don't have the bucks (or desire to spend them) on a tiny chrome rack that won't even hold a good sized box. And I have seen the Wompus rack - nice but probably could make something similar for a lot less.

roadhawg · 12-07-2012, 10:54 PM

Very good ideas! Thanks for sharing.
I also use the chrome plastic edging around fenders and bags.
I will also put ir around windshield one day soon.

vulcanguy · 12-09-2012, 09:53 PM

Hi!
We must not forget NobleRider’s “fancy emergency luggage rack" (aka as windshield brackets).
This custom add on was paraded at the Eastern Canada/North Eastern USA Rally
July 16, 2012! LOL

davidhollinger · 12-11-2012, 02:37 PM

Thanks for the great ideas. Fortunately my 1500 came with a windshield bag but thats about it. I desperately need a new windshield though and hope to put one on before spring. I am big on cheap bling so keep them coming! They are all greatly appreciated. BTW, a nice 250 mile ride on a great curvy road nicknamed Alabama's Mini Dragon on Saturday. I love living in the south where its almost always riding season!

**schoeney** · 12-11-2012, 03:17 PM

My $5 drink holder from Wally World. Made , or at least sold, by Bell....the helmet people. Clamps right to the handlebar....30 second install (2 hours for Netnorske) I use my Starbucks insulated mug with it.

Great for long trips.

When I stop at a gas station I usually pour a bottle of water and ice from the pop machine directly into the mug. Keeps it nice and cold all day.

Works well w/coffee and soda too. But I mainly use it for water when riding.

The mug doesn't wobble or sway, stays nice and firm in the holder. Note how high the mug sits in the holder. Makes it easy to grab and it rides high enough that the bottom of the mug easily clears the tank and everything else. The picture is deceptive it easily clears everything.

pkohlstedt · 12-11-2012, 03:26 PM

The big styrofoam drinks from almost any gas station fit too. I only wore one when I went back to chicago in the summer.

Bud2rat · 12-11-2012, 07:43 PM

Kris, I like the way you trimmed your bike, looks great.

**Jared** · 12-11-2012, 11:40 PM

Risers on a budget: http://www.utahmotorcyclist.org/2011...on-budget.html

12-07-2012, 04:32 PM	#1
BigRat Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 430	A few cheap (but cool) add-ons - CHEAP-O THREAD! Thought I'd start a cheap-o thread. I love add-ons, but the price of some of this stuff can be a little hard on the wallet, so I thought I'd share some of my recently added goodies with you. 1) Bag-in-a-Bag - Saddlebag shelf alternative. I took a bank bag and added grommets to the back of it and bolted it inside the saddlebag for small items like glasses and gloves, etc (mounting bolts are 7-1/2" apart) - Less than $10.00. That way you don't really lose any height inside the bag. 2) Fanny-Pack windshield bag - Again, the grommet kit comes in very handy. Four of them added to the back of this Fanny-pack, and cut off the straps and there is a nice multi-pocket windshield bag for about $8.00. 3) My long-time favorite - the Cheapskin seat pad - A carpeted toilet-lid cover, with padding and no-slip shelf liner added to it. A strap attached to the underside of the seat makes for easy on and off. VERY COMFY - Less than $10.00. 4) Windshield border - I use split rubber tubing (3/16" ID) and wrap the edge of the windshield and lowers. Protects the edge from chipping and looks pretty cool. About 60 cents a foot. It holds itself on for the most part. I did drill very small holes at the ends and attached a zip tie to keep them in place. (To easily split the tubing, get a piece of wood and drill a hole near the end just big enough for the tubing to fit through. Tap an Exacto blade a little less than halfway down into the hole. Pull the tubing through and Voila', split tubing.) Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by BigRat; 12-07-2012 at 04:34 PM.
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12-07-2012, 04:44 PM	#2
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Thanks for the ideas, I have almost the exact same fanny pack as a windsheild bag. works great. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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12-07-2012, 04:57 PM	#3
crazygene49 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 1,856	Thanks for the suggestions! __________________ Gene Chestnut Dover, DE USAF 1968-1995 VBA#01761 2007 Nomad 1600 Black and Titanium
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12-07-2012, 05:02 PM	#4
dshelly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 2,824	The Bag looks good, I like that. However I don't care for the tubing around the windshield. That will suck to clean the bugs off. Just my 2 cents worth. __________________ Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger 2014 Harley Ultra Classic 2007 1600 Nomad (Black) Shellenberger Machine Belgrade, MT Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter) VBA # 2395
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12-07-2012, 05:16 PM	#5
BigRat Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 430	Feel free to post your own penny-tech mods. Maybe we can start a collection here. Never had any added problems with bug-removal due to window edging so far. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-07-2012, 07:37 PM	#6
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	Bigrat, I like your way of thinking, creativity. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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12-07-2012, 08:12 PM	#7
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	My fav is the chrome door edge molding....about $10.00 per roll at any auto parts store. I used it on my saddlebag door edges, trunk lid edge, front fender, and both upper and lower fairings. I had it on my old Nomad and wasted no time getting it on my Voyager as well. Cheap, easy bling...! __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016 Last edited by Netnorske; 07-10-2014 at 08:53 PM.
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12-07-2012, 10:54 PM	#9
roadhawg Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Starke Florida Posts: 856	Very good ideas! Thanks for sharing. I also use the chrome plastic edging around fenders and bags. I will also put ir around windshield one day soon. __________________ "Ride it like you stole it"! 2008 1600 Nomad 56K miles "BlueBelle" 2004 1500 Nomad 102 K miles "Black Beauty" ABATE Black Creek Chapter Amvet Rider Post 86 http://www.facebook.com/AmvetPost86 Weston A. Price Foundation member. Vegetarian...... An old Indian word meaning "Bad Hunter" Legalize Freedom! Question Authority! "Im in love with the waitress, and I dont even know her name" "Boys" Gone Wild" ! Mainstreet Station 2012 Daytona Bikeweek
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12-09-2012, 09:53 PM	#10
vulcanguy Advanced Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Aylmer Quebec Posts: 987	Hi! We must not forget NobleRider’s “fancy emergency luggage rack" (aka as windshield brackets). This custom add on was paraded at the Eastern Canada/North Eastern USA Rally July 16, 2012! LOL __________________ Some days your the pigeon...some days your the statue! "Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "
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12-11-2012, 02:37 PM	#11
davidhollinger Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 2,188	Cheap! Thanks for the great ideas. Fortunately my 1500 came with a windshield bag but thats about it. I desperately need a new windshield though and hope to put one on before spring. I am big on cheap bling so keep them coming! They are all greatly appreciated. BTW, a nice 250 mile ride on a great curvy road nicknamed Alabama's Mini Dragon on Saturday. I love living in the south where its almost always riding season! __________________ I would be patient, but it takes too long!! David Hollinger 2002 Beige 1500 "Hannah2" VBA # 02195
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12-11-2012, 03:26 PM	#13
pkohlstedt Jr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: arizona Posts: 42	The big styrofoam drinks from almost any gas station fit too. I only wore one when I went back to chicago in the summer.
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12-11-2012, 07:43 PM	#14
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	Kris, I like the way you trimmed your bike, looks great. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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12-11-2012, 11:40 PM	#15
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Risers on a budget: http://www.utahmotorcyclist.org/2011...on-budget.html __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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