Post by coastalcop on Aug 16, 2007 18:44:27 GMT -5
Finally ready to into production on my pannier system, prototype is available E-Bay auction 230161997023
First production models expect in 2-3 months, made in the USA.
Cradles from system can be retrofit to other frames for other models.
Pricing and preorders as soon as the fabricator I am using gets back to me.
here are some FAQS
Recon Cargo Systems
I originally came up with the idea of being able to rapidly mount/ dismount cases that were prepacked with equipment/materials. I envisioned the rapid deployment of cases either removed at the end of a trip or emptied at the location and rapid loading of preloaded cases in an emergency environment. (post-hurricane, military, etc.) as I already owned a KLR 650 (and live in the Texas Gulf Coast where hurricanes can be a problem) I thought of this design as a motorcycle storage system.
What makes our design so special?
Several things, when we designed this system we started with an idea, to make durability, ease, and security the benchmarks of our system. We established early on that this system would use Pelican brand cases, in our opinion they are the industry standard for rugged waterproof storage systems. To this end we established some guidelines.
1. DO NOT violate the integrity of the Pelican case. Any time you drill holes in a pelican case you begin to violate its structural strength, waterproofing and void the warranty.
2. Make the system easy for the real world operator to use.
3. Utilize the strong points of the case, and protect the weak points. ( All case designs have an inherent weak point… the lid/latch, except in the case of complete catastrophic failure ie: being crushed by a meteor, your lid/latch is what will fail on ANY case.)
To this end when we designed the system we did not modify the case in any way ie: no holes, brackets, bars, or doohickeys (you can mount ANY Pelican 1550 case into our system) thus maintaining the structural integrity of the case. Then we mounted the case lid inward.
Why removable?
Because you can’t always fit your bike in the motel room so take the cases to unpack or take the cases off and then the bike will usually fit…. and when in the field and it is cold,wet,insect active or all of the above, its always nicer to go through your bags inside your tent instead of on the bike. While the cases can be locked to the cradle, the design of the systems precludes casual theft (when you are paying for your gas etc.), remember we planned it so that you could get into the case in whatever shelter you have, instead of out in the elements.
Why mount lids inward ?
I realize that the bottom of the case doesn’t look as nice as the top, however we are looking for functional not pretty.
There are many reasons for mounting the Pelican case design lid inward and we will cover the primary points.
1. After you pack a case, how do you normally pick the case up? Usually the case is picked up so that lid is facing away from your body, this action places the case in the mounting position and allows you to attach the case without additional manipulation.
2. Placing the case lid inward keeps the most failure prone portion of the case (the lid) AWAY from harm in a fall and away from impact from outside objects (lets face it, the Pelican has a life time warranty that wont do you any good three days into a week long trek if your lid fails) this makes the strongest portion of the case in the area most likely to take any abuse.
3. The design of the mounting system supports the lid (pressing in lightly into the mount) but places all the stress again on the strongest portion of the case (when you are riding, the wind isnt trying to catch the lid and the lid isnt subjected to bouncing forces at the outside of the case.
4. Should your lid/latch fail on your case, You can still mount it securely to the bike and retain the materials inside.
Why is the case placed in the cradle at an angle for mounting?
The cradle is designed with the end user in mind. We know you are packrats…. Otherwise you would not be buying the system. The angle is matched to the likely angle that will clear the stuff you packed on the toprack/seat of your motorcycle (Jackets,Tents,Sleeping Bags,Oxen, and the like). Also when you over pack the case (and we know you will) it is easier to support the case on your thigh when mounting heavy loads, if you try it you will find that the angle created supporting the case on your thigh matches the angle required to mount the case. All of this to make it easier on you the user.
Can the cradle be mounted to other items besides a motorcycle?
Heck yeah, any vertical surface that can accept the load of a filled pelican case….. 4X4 trucks to store tow chains, pull straps (and the first aid kit you need after), boats, airplanes the applications are really limitless, mount anywhere you want a secure system to hold the pelican case.
The frame doesn’t seem as strong as some aftermarket frames. Why is this?
I designed the frame to be strong but not “too” strong. I wanted the mounting frame to bend slightly BEFORE your sub-frame bent. It’s a lot easier to tweak the frame back into shape in the field, than it is to straighten your sub-frame. Before you get worried though, you have two choices: one, trust that I tested the frame over varied terrain with full cases before I sold the design (I did) or two, fit the cradle portion to your preferred frame (you can do this pretty easily if you are handy with tools).
Do you make it to fit cases other than the Pelican 1550?
I found that the 1550 struck the best balance of capacity and useable size, currently the cradle is not made for any other product, and any future products developed will be designed around the Pelican brand.