[Charlie Saxon]

I recently got a C5 in Desert Storm and decided that it needed ammo can saddle bags. Looking around on this and other forums I didn't find anything quite like I wanted. But I got enough ideas to get the wheels turning on the design.

This is my first post to the forum, so I'm gunna figure out how to get the pics uploaded...

[Charlie Saxon]

Step One: Figure out what size ammo can to get.
I went with an ammo can for 40mm grenades.
At roughly 18" x 10" x 6", it just fits a MacBook 15, or to sixers of Shiner.
I mocked up a plywood box to get figure out where I wanted the box to ride on the mounts.

[Charlie Saxon]

Step Two: Fabricate the mounting bracket.
I used 1 1/4" angle iron for the main structure of the bracket and barstock to tie that into the pillion seat mount.
This particular setup does require a pillion seat mount. Like so:

I used the rear shock mounting points as the second hard-point.
.
The barstock attaches to one of the pillion seat's handle bolts, has two bends in it, then welds into the angle iron.

[Charlie Saxon]

Step Three: Bottom Brace
I drilled out holes in the main brace and the ammo can and bolted the cans on behind some rubber washers.
I used a 3/4" two-part locking collar

to grab around the rear fender bracket.
I welded 1/2" steel rod to another piece of angle iron. It was a tedious process of setting the unfinished bottom brace into place to get the stand-off distance just right.
Place, grind down, replace, grind down some more. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Once I had the stand-off distance right, I tack-welded the rod to the locking collar while it was on the bike, before removing it to get a better weld.

That gives each can three points of attachment.

[Charlie Saxon]

And here's my wife, modeling the nearly finished product.

Since then I've painted the brackets tan and dipped the locking collars in plasti-dip to keep from damaging the paint on the fender frame.
Next step is paint the ammo cans themselves and put some art on them.

[tracendaz]

I say! What a terribly attractive young lady! Oh, and the project is rather spiffing too! Jolly well done on both counts.

[pmanaz1973]

Very nice...and the boxes are cool too!   

Nice work.  They look like they could hold a great deal and will last as well as finish the look of the bike.  Can't wait to see them painted.

The C5 is seriously lacking in accessories related to bags and panniers and this looks like a great addition to the cumulative knowledge we do-it-yourselfers are amassing on this site.

[alladinko]

looks great

[Bulletman]

Welcome to the forum Charlie, what a awesome job on the panniers and You chose quite the Model.

[The Old Coot]

Very nice job well thought out and executed.

[heloego]

Nice, Charlie!
Some matching paint and you'll really be impressing the girls....er, missus! 

[Catbird]

I really like those "saddlebags".

I do have to ask...
If you ride two up, do the size of the ammo cans allow your passenger's legs/feet to be placed naturally on the pegs and be comfortable?  (pics, please)

[High On Octane]

Nice work!  I always love seeing clean custom fabwork.  They look great!   

[woofhound]

So I'm reading through you post... and in the picture with you wife I think I was supposed to immediately notice the pretty lady on the bike. Instead, my first response is, "Nice Jet equipment!" Looks a lot like if I were to take a picture in my garage!

The wood worker in me.

[gremlin]

And here's my wife, modeling the nearly finished product.

 .....  nice.

It says something that RE riders have good lookin' wives !