Heavy chain transport

[Edgey]

So I have gone and bought an Almax Series 3 chain and lock and as predicted, its a monsterous thing which has a fair weight on it.

I'm wondering about some form of transport for the thing though, it is far to heavy to have in a backpack and I dont want to wrap it around my shoulder like im Rambo feeding a lead hungry belt-fed minigun.

My mate has come up with an idea which works for him being that he has an Oxford bungee cord which he wraps around the back seat with the chain coiled up and strapped down to the seat using the cord. Does anyone have any better suggestions than this?

Also, whilst on the subject, how do underseat exhausts (which my bike sports) fair with things like bungee cords or a tailpack which straps around the back seat? Wont it just melt the straps/cord into a plasticy mess?

Thanks!

[Guest]

I would keep the bungys away from the exhaust,what about a tank bag enough room for the chain and a few other bits

[Edgey]

Hmm, didn't think of a tankbag, does anyone know of any very small tank bags?

OR is it possible to fashion my own tankbag from my backpack? Or are there structure issues involved and its not just a case of slamming some magnets in my backpack?

My idea regarding tailpacks/tankbags if it came to buying one was (as i will be going to uni on my bike) to get the smallest height pack as possible but would still fit my chain in and possibly disc lock, so that when I lock the bike up, I can simply condense the pack into my normal uni backpack with my uni stuff, which I will be riding with on my back (even though this is not reccomended in terms of safety but it it the most practical method to fit). I realise backpack-tankbag's exist but they tend to be rather bulky and oddly shaped compared to a backpack and wouldn't hold my uni stuff too well when compared to a backpack.

Anyone any other ideas to transport a chain?

[Guest]

Tank bags are available in sizes which vary from the type to hold just a map to monstrous things you can't see over the top of.

Have a google search and you will find loads!! Don't forget NEC this month too. some bargains may be in the offing..

I'd go for a purpose built one though edgey.

[Pete]

(looks like Dan's already beaten me to it...) If you do go for a tank bag just get one that has separate compartments. My one has three that you can zip together - it's over a foot high if they're all full! - or you can just use the bottom one which is about a cm thick. The middle one would be great for a chain and a sandwich at about 10cm. I bought mine off ebay but it was being sold in Aldi the year before for about £15 quid...and it's just as waterproof as any of the expensive ones (yes it's been tested!).

Alternatively (and this is what I'd go for, couldn't be bothered carrying a tank bag everywhere) try and find somewhere under the seat for it. Have you tried dropping it inside the cowlings? What bike do you have so we can come up with more ideas?

Out of interest what lock did you go for? I'm super jealous as an Almax chain is on my list (come on xmas!!)!

[Guest]

He went for the squire lock and that's a beastly thing too!

I'm the guy who uses the bungee cord btw.

His bike is a megelli 125 s. Do these tank bags not get in the way?

[Edgey]

Yeah what cobbz said, bike is a Megelli 125 S, and the Squire Stronghold lock.

How do you mean drippong it inside the cowlings? Do you mean something like locking the chain around the tank and underneath through a gap in the frame which does not obstruct any mechanics? I wouldnt have thought about something like this really, im interested.

[Guest]

I have a tail pack on my Fazer, it's strapped to the seat using a couple of these, which pass through the pillion grab handles, through the tail pack and then back underneath it. The whole assembly effectively sits on top of the seat, so nothing passes under it or goes anywhere near the exhaust.

[Edgey]

I have no grab rails on my Megelli, and it doesnt seem there are any made specifically for the bike, is it possible to fashion some custom grab rails? or is there some kits to do this? Would have no idea where to start though.

Picture of bike

So options are:

Tankpack

Tailpack (unsure about underseat exhaust though)

Bungee cord to tie it down (nowhere to actually hook the cord as no grab rails)

Anyone have any other methods?

Thanks all for the ideas so far.

[Guest]

Some of the tail packs around use a zip base. The base itself fastens under the pillion seat. so you just zip off the bag.

[Guest]

My wife has a Ducati Monster 696 - a similarly impractical machine - and has managed to fit one of these with a little ingenuity. It has flat webbing straps which can pass under the pillion seat, then the rest of the pack clips on to those. You may also want a protective rubber mat to protect the paintwork.

[Edgey]

Hmm interesting, I am interested in the 5 or maybe 10 L versions, I will definately consider this, seems to be just about the best tailpack I have saw today (and I have been looking at various tailpacks, tankbags for hours this morning/afternoon). These look rather promising as I can unclip them and use them as a backpack, so my uni stuff can go in here whilst I ride, whip it off and sling on the back, thanks for the input Andy

[Ingah]

Almax provided me with the 10L Kreiga tailpack for free when i bought my 1.5m Series 3 a while back - so that'll probably be a good guide for the size you need

[Edgey]

Aah I think they provide the Kriega bag free these days when you buy the ground anchor package, I just got the chain and lock on it's own.

I think I shall definitely go for one of their tailpacks though, good prices aswell and another British company I believe, always a bonus. Well they state on the home page: 'Designed by a dedicated team of enthusiasts in the UK', good enough for me.