Fitting Oxford Tail Bag

[mcgrimes]

Hi guys, picked up a tank and tail bag dirt cheap, im just confused as how to fit the tail bag?

It comes with an array of straps, and has the bungie cords on the bottom, i just cant see anywere to fit them to. Has anyone got any suggestions?

http://www.chrisgrime.co.uk/photo.jpg

Sorry about the low quality photo, was taken on my iphone.

[keith_d]

From memory, the front bungees went down to the hooks behind the pillion pegs. I only used one back bungee which went completely under the back of the bike from one side to the other.

[mcgrimes]

I tried that, but it doesn't seem like the rear bungees would stretch enough to wrap underneath the bike once the front bungees were connected to those hooks near the pillion pegs.

[mcgrimes]

Just a query, how many separate bungee cords did you have? I have 2 cords each with 2 hooks.

[MR UKI (1)]

Just a query, how many separate bungee cords did you have? I have 2 cords each with 2 hooks.

I got a similar one. The back 2 end of the bungees attached to the bag I hook on the tail tidy, the front 2 one on each pillion peg. Mine also has 4 seperate bungees (2 hooks on each so 8 hooks in total) which I attach to the 4 plastic d-rings on the top of the bag (1 in each corner). I do the same with these as the above for extra security, but in all honesty they are probably unneccessary.

[mcgrimes]

I did manage to fit it somewhat securely, but only when the main compartment was extended and filled, I'll keep trying, but if no luck think I'd best contact the seller!

In the mean time I'm still open to suggestions!

Thanks for the comments so far!

[muddi]

Why not hook the front ones onto the bit above the rear footpegs as has been said before and the back ones thread thru the grab handle and onto the D rings on the flaps hanging down? Or if its not quite tight enough hook the right bungee thru the grab handle and onto left D-ring and left one onto right D-ring?

I have the similar oxford pack but I have 2 hook things under the undertray which I put them on. If you want will stick mine on my bike and take a photo of what it looks like (where its attached to) Doesn't look from your photo that you have those metal bits under your bike though?

Its basically trial and error though, try different places and give your bag a wiggle side to side and back and forth - if it dont move - viola! if it does - try again lol.. good luck!

[mcgrimes]

You're right, it certainly is trial and error! I did manage to get it fit securely last night and took it for a test run on le motorway and it seems secure enough which is great.

What i did was tie the straps which basically hold the top compartment down, through the grab rail instead, and then the bungees i tied each one to an anchor on top of the bag, threaded through one of the lower anchors and then on to the pillion hook things.

No, i dont have any hooks underneath, the previous owner removed all that crapola (still got the original stuff in the loft) which made things somewhat tricky. If i think ahead, ill upload a picture showing how i managed it!

Cheers!

[muddi]

ah yes mine has those strap/handle things which I also put thru the grab rail to make it more secure - couldn't tell by your photo if yours had them. Just stops it from sliding forward etc. Glad you got it sorted anyway.

Ive kept all my crapola on lol, as its useful for strapping stuff to etc, just fitted a small rack on the back too.. I know it probably doesn't look as 'sleek' as it would without it all, but I dont just use the bike for rides out I pack it up and use it for practical stuff as well.

[mcgrimes]

I will be using my bike for commuting come september which is why i decided to get tail bag, not quite as practical as a topbox but a hell of a lot cheaper lol.

Only problem is that without a top box im going to have to carry my helmet around with me rather than leave it in the topbox. They might not look pretty but they certainly are useful!

[muddi]

Ive just got a spare pilly seat from ebay and am (when I get round to it) taking all the padding etc off and attaching the top box plate to it so can attach the top box to the bike via the pilly seat so can leave it nice and secure on the bike.. ;)
Cheap enough to do really - spare seat from ebay for £12 and top box was from ebay too - cant remember how much as had it a while.

[Warthog]

I have that same tail bag. I attach the velcro under teh seat obviously and clip it back down, then hook the front two bungee hooks onto the pillion footpeg hanger hooks, and the rear two bungee hooks onto the grab rail. This works very well, but it scratches the hell out of the grabrail. Mine has 50% of the paint off, but this is my touring bike so I don't mind.

[mcgrimes]

Yeah i tried hooking them onto the grab rail, but the rubber on the end of the hooks sooner pierced and now i have 2 big scratches on my grab rail:(

[Warthog]

Yeah i tried hooking them onto the grab rail, but the rubber on the end of the hooks sooner pierced and now i have 2 big scratches on my grab rail:(

You could buy a cheap old second hand grabrail, they are easy to swap over if you wanted to go touring maybe?

[Viney]

I have the old type of tail pack and SV. It has 2 bungees in a cross pattern underneath the pack and a loop that goes under the pillion seat...so, i slide the seat through the loop, put seat back on bike, then clip the bungees on the appropriate hooks unter the seat unit.

[dizzyblonde]

http://www.chrisgrime.co.uk/photo.jpg


First take rear seat off and velcro strap under it, reattach to bike.
Next take two bungees and attach to top D rings on tail pack at the front, feed through bottom front D rings on flappy bit, and stretch to attach on footpeg hangers.
Do the same for the rear top D rings, but feed through grabrail and attach back to D ring. (its a pointy and not as luggage friendly as a curvy)

Next take two bungees and attach to bottom D rings on flappy bit and either attach to footpeg hangers, or stretch right under tailpiece, and attach to opposite D ring.
Do the same on the bottom back D rings.

Simplez. BTW there are short bungees and long ones, for front and back. Get some cheap rubber matting from Poundstretchers and secure between the bungee hooks and your plastics, to protect them, also wrap the hooks in tape.

Oh and goggles, I am not responsible for taut bungees flinging everywhere ;-)

[mcgrimes]

Theres not much worse than a bungee coming your way, especially with a hook on it lol.

Thanks for replies, issue i had is there are only 2 bungee cords which was making it somewhat awkward! I think i will try the velcro strap under the seat thing, seems like a pretty nifty idea!

[dizzyblonde]

Ahhh well there should be eight IIRC. four long ones for the top, four shorter ones for the bottom.
And thats what the velcro strap is for!! But shouldn't be used as the sole secure measure to keep it on your bike.

[scooby2102]

Ive just got a spare pilly seat from ebay and am (when I get round to it) taking all the padding etc off and attaching the top box plate to it so can attach the top box to the bike via the pilly seat so can leave it nice and secure on the bike.. ;)
Cheap enough to do really - spare seat from ebay for £12 and top box was from ebay too - cant remember how much as had it a while.

Aye, done the same muddi, now just keep the seat cowl in the bag so when I get to point B, swap them over, saves any bungees etc and its nice and secure as it just clips in as normal

[muddi]

yeah thats the plan scoobs.. Just need to pull my finger out and get the thing made lol. did you spray the seat bracket or does it look ok just black? Or can you not see it because of the topbox?

[Geodude]

Finally found my fitting instructions so hope they useful mate. If you want the hi-res scans pm me an email address and i will forward them ok buddy.
outside page
http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab227/geodude_album/tailpack1.jpg
inside page
http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab227/geodude_album/tailpack.jpg

[scooby2102]

yeah thats the plan scoobs.. Just need to pull my finger out and get the thing made lol. did you spray the seat bracket or does it look ok just black? Or can you not see it because of the topbox?


bang on muddi, there is a thin bit of 6mm ply inside that bolts through the bag then onto the seat so nowt shows, even when its off its hard to tell how it fits together

works well though and was perfect when I used it

[Rocket]

I've only ever used the Velcro strap under the seat on my Oxford TailPack. It's been to Lands End and John O'Groats countless times and never given me any cause for concern.

[mcgrimes]

I've only ever used the Velcro strap under the seat on my Oxford TailPack. It's been to Lands End and John O'Groats countless times and never given me any cause for concern.

Doesn't it ever wobble?

[Dicky Ticker]

I have cut off the two bottom flaps and got two tensionable straps that go under the pillion seat and never had an iota of problem with movement.
By doing this you don't have bungees or flaps rubbing on the paint work so no need for protective matting either as it sits squarely on the pillion seat.
Looks neat and tidy and costs pence to do.