[DanKearney]

Howdy All,


I am considering purchasing a tool bag that would mount on the front forks just below the headlight.  However, it appears the rectifier/voltage regulator is mounted in that spot and has cooling slots in the cover.  I am concerned that heat build-up by blocking the wind could cause trouble down the road.


Anyone have any firsthand information about this scenario?


Cheers,

Dan K.

[ace.cafe]

No experience with it on a UCE, but I don't do it on any bike because of blockage of airflow to the engine. The rectifier too, in cases like this where it is located there.

My personal opinion is that it belongs elsewhere, such as the back of the bike or in one of the toolboxes.

[Royalista]

If you really wish a toolroll on the front, you could do like dirtbikers and wrap it to the fender. That way it wont block airflow to engine or R/R.
But I prefer it too in the back and as low as possible with spares.

[Rich Mintz]

I have a small leather toolbag mounted to the front fork, resting on the front fender. It isn't large enough for a full toolset but it holds emergency supplies (zip ties, fuses, electrical tape, screwdriver). And it could hold more. I've had no trouble with it.

[DanKearney]

I have a small leather toolbag mounted to the front fork, resting on the front fender. It isn't large enough for a full toolset but it holds emergency supplies (zip ties, fuses, electrical tape, screwdriver). And it could hold more. I've had no trouble with it.

If you get the opportunity, post a pic.  I'd like to see it.


Cheers,


Dan K.

[Craig McClure]

I don't like strap on tool rolls because they always make wear marks where they are strapped on. I do like sheet metal tool boxes firmly attached to the frame. I have a neat one (off an old bike) to attach crosswise to the lower part of the frames front down tube, below the engine bolt. I just need to make up a mounting bracket for it.

[Royal Stargazer]

I'd love to see a good picture of a tool roll (especially one from Nfield Gear's catalog) attached to a bike. I've been toying around with getting one for extra storage... I'm not completely sold because it might disrupt the lines of the bike, but I had never considered that it might disrupt the airflow to the engine.

[mattsz]

I don't like strap on tool rolls because they always make wear marks where they are strapped on.

Everything strapped on leaves wear marks.  Conversely...

I strapped my "tool roll" on the back of my luggage rack:



It ended up resting on the tail light box; the top corner of the metal "faceplate" edge chewed a hole in the bottom of the bag in one long day of riding!

Rich, I think we've got the same front end... the front fender rides up and down between the upper fork covering tubes - how does something on the fender keep from rubbing the covers as the forks compress?

[barenekd]

Pretty limited amount of space between the fender and casquette when the forks are compressed, too. The bag can't can't be very big.
Bare

[Ragmas]

Here's my G5 with the toolbag.  Yes it did wear the paint off of the front fender and the forks where the straps went around.  I no longer use it.

[tooseevee]

     I hung one of those off the back of my solo seat one time the first summer I had the bike. One trip to town & it had chewed the paint off the rear fender from seat bounce. Pist me off big time. I should have known better.

      Anywhere something touches paint expect the clearcoat & the paint to be worn off.

[Rich Mintz]

I live in NYC, ride in winter salt, and park on the street regularly, so on my bike I'm afraid the "wears the paint off" cow is out of the barn...

[Mike_D]

The previous owner of my bike had a front fork tool bag.  As others have said, the paint rubs off the front forks.  You may not mind though, especially if the bag is always going to be there.  Personally, I think it looks quite bad.

[Vince]

     I have had several customers crash when a big bump compressed the forks enough to bind on the bag. The limit to suspension travel was the difference between falling, or maintaining control.

[Chuck D]

I use one of these:
http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/canvas-zipper-bags/canvas-zipper-bag
I secure it crossways in relation to the frame in front of the rear fender below the air box and on top of the gear box. I use a short heavy rubber bungie strap to hold it in place. The weight is low and central and it is easy to access.
The bag holds an amazing number of tools (needed  ) is very rugged and since it is soft, it is somewhat pliable making it easy to squeeze in to the small space.