Tool pouch mounted on front forks--Impedes airflow?

[Tfrank59]

I'm thinking about putting a tool pouch on my front forks, as you can never get too much storage space, but I feel like that's the one place I don't want to restrict airflow to my radiator and engine.  They also look pretty cool on the Valkyries that I've seen with them. But I am concerned that when the warmer months come I'll be at risk of overheating the old girl. I suppose I could always take it off when the hot weather comes. So anybody who lives in a warmer climate have any experience or an opinion about this?   Thanks.

[John Schmidt]

It doesn't create any problems with airflow, but you have to be careful with how low it hangs down. Too far and it will dent your fender when the forks compress while riding. I've seen numerous bikes with a little very noticeable dimple there just because of that. My suggestion would be to find some other spot to mount a tool bag if you don't have hard bags already mounted. Yes, it does look kinda cool hanging there, but the dimple in the fender doesn't. Next time you see one, check the fender under it.

[R J]

I thought that was a Harley thing.

Another thing to remember, if ya hit a good pothole, you have a DENTED fender.

If you think you have to carry tools, that is what the saddlebags are for.

I'm assuming it is a Tourer or and I/S.

Std's are a different story, they hurt for storage space.

Personally, I doubt that it would restrict airflow enough to cause overheating.

These big girls have a real good cooling system.

I've had MGM in some pretty hot temps and pulling a trailer with no problem.

It is your call, if it does cause heating, you can always take it off.

Good luck on whatever way ya go.

[Tfrank59]

I thought that was a Harley thing.

Another thing to remember, if ya hit a good pothole, you have a DENTED fender.

If you think you have to carry tools, that is what the saddlebags are for.

I'm assuming it is a Tourer or and I/S.

Std's are a different story, they hurt for storage space.

Personally, I doubt that it would restrict airflow enough to cause overheating.

These big girls have a real good cooling system.

I've had MGM in some pretty hot temps and pulling a trailer with no problem.

It is your call, if it does cause heating, you can always take it off.

Good luck on whatever way ya go.

That's pretty quick feedback thanks. I hadn't thought about denting the fender but yeah when the forks compress that baby's going up.  I've got a Tourer, and I also have an extra sissy bar bag or two, and I have windshield pockets too.  Going kind of crazy with the pouches thing, I'll admit.

[old2soon]

Stock tool bag/pouch that came with the bike is small to begin with. John and R J givin ya good advice. I on the other hand ride an I/S and I run outa room with gloves and shades!  DON'T ask!  Took me a time or 2 loading for a long trip to start paring down items into need and nice to have and will stay home. I've installed a W/S pouch on my I/S and tryin to figure out HOW I've lived this long without it!  On a long trip I have my tools in a soft bag with my clothes in a stuff bag-think sea bag barracks bag-that goes on top of the tool bag on the bitch seat with 2 1" ratchet straps. The stuff bag came from wally wurld AND I've found out a couple of times it IS waterproof! 

[Dodis]

Another consideration is that movement of the tool bag will rub through the coating on your forks, speeding up oxidation. My bike had a tool bag when I got it, and by the time I found the damage their was a noticable area rubbed smooth from the bag. The original owner did think enough to put some thick clear plastic tape on the fender under the bag, so there was minimal scratching of the paint. And once I removed the bag, it seemed like overnight the spots on the forks oxidized badly. Between that and the pitting under some Memphis Shades mounts, I ended up replacing the forks as some pits were too deep to polish out. Gave me a good chance to rebuild with Progressive spings while I was at it!

But here on the Gulf Coast, with our 97+ degree days, I never noticed any heating problems with the bag mounted.

Mike "Dodis"

[Willow]

I've used a bag on the forks below the triple tree for a lot (over 100K) of miles but I carry nothing but soft stuff in it.  Tools will make it hard enough to dent the fender on occasion.

No problems with air flow.

[Bighead]

I too had one for  over 80k miles with no dent but all I put in it was air gauge and garage door opener but it did however rub the coating off of the lower triple tree.

[Tfrank59]

So I pulled the trigger and bought a bag for the forks.  Has the same braiding that I have on my seat and tank bib.  I got it mounted high enough that the fender can't hit and it won't block airflow.  I just have my rain gear in there, which is nice to free up space in the hard bags for other stuff.  One reason I like the fork bag (and thought of it) is it fills out the front end of the bike where there was an odd naked spot.  Nah, it's not really a HD thing IMO.