Storage Challenge!

[DatBoi69YOLO]

I have a great little battery starter that I got off Amazon that's rattling around and taking up space in one of my saddlebags. I've only ever used it once on my girlfriend's Lincoln, but I KNOW that the day I'll really need it for the Valkyrie will be the exact day that I take it out.

It's an awkward shape - it doesn't really want to fit in the slotted storage area under the seat, plus I've got a tool kit and paperwork in there anyway. I don't like it in the saddle bags, but there's not really a better spot.

Any suggestions? Where would you store something like that -- basically you want it to be relatively easy to access when you need it, but you're not gonna be using it every day.

[f6john]

Can't get a realistic feel for it's size, but my fist thought was could it be Velcroed to the under side of the saddlebag lid?

[G-Man]

I've been thinking about this for a while as I was looking for storage of smaller items.......  there is a lot of room inside, under the saddlebag lid.  That domed area usually never gets filled up.  I was trying to come up with a way to secure items up in there.  I was thinking of 4 or 5, inch wide, horizontally run elastic straps or bands which can be stretched apart to place and item above them and secure them to the under part of the lid.  I just can't come up with a good way of securing the ends of the elastic to underside of the lids.

[Serk]

I keep one as well, but since I've got a Gold Wing now the trunk is the obvious place.

I'd really just figure out a way to keep it in the saddlebag. Maybe even velcro it so you can attach it to the underside of the saddlebag lid.

Few considerations - you want it out of the way, but not TOO out of the way, you'll need to take it out and top off the charge every few months. Also, wouldn't wanna put it anywhere that it'd be subjected to the weather, so inside the saddlebags is the obvious choice, to me...

[..]

I must carry too much. Right bag has tools, rain gear, puncture kit, and tank bag rain cover that sits on top and fills the lid.

Tools are in a small canvas bag to keep them together.

Left bag has bike cover, spare gloves, rain mitts if needed, heated jacket liner, 64oz water jug and whatever else I want to carry and when closed the lid is full.

[old2soon]

        NO help here But when I travel/traveled on Phatt Ghurl I Finally got to that point where I Needed a trailer!  The under side of the saddle bag lid sounds like a decent fix. How much does the Entire thing weigh? I was gifted a set of saddle bag racks and they are thru bolted to the top of my saddle bags. Would be fairly easy to fab up a holder for yer new toy! Our saddle bags are constructed of A B S plastic. Black A B S Hardening glue is available at just about any hardware store maybe wally wurld and some A B S plastic sheet and glue up a box or a holder or some such to glue to the inside of that top lid. YUP o;d gut rambled on again fer a bit!  RIDE SAFE.

[G-Man]

I must carry too much. Right bag has tools, rain gear, puncture kit, and tank bag rain cover that sits on top and fills the lid.

Tools are in a small canvas bag to keep them together.

Left bag has bike cover, spare gloves, rain mitts if needed, heated jacket liner, 64oz water jug and whatever else I want to carry and when closed the lid is full.

It's the bike cover.  That takes up way too much space.  I've seen smaller ones that almost look like kammocks that cover up top, but not down the sides.  Will keep bars and seats dry when on the road.  Takes up half the room.

Similar to this:

[The emperor has no clothes]

Those are too heavy to mount on the underside of the saddlebag lid. (IMHO) You could probably fit just the unit under the seat, but not the cables that come with it. I'd just put it at the bottom of the bag.

For anyone contemplating a purchase, I'd recommend one the also has the built in air compressor. They are quite handy.

[..]

I must carry too much. Right bag has tools, rain gear, puncture kit, and tank bag rain cover that sits on top and fills the lid.

Tools are in a small canvas bag to keep them together.

Left bag has bike cover, spare gloves, rain mitts if needed, heated jacket liner, 64oz water jug and whatever else I want to carry and when closed the lid is full.

It's the bike cover.  That takes up way too much space.  I've seen smaller ones that almost look like kammocks that cover up top, but not down the sides.  Will keep bars and seats dry when on the road.  Takes up half the room.

Similar to this:

Yep, something similar.

[Willow]

I agree with the naked emperor.  There's a fair amount of space under the saddle.  Those cables are not long.  With some creativity they may be stored there also.

I'm not comfortable with hanging that weight on the inside of the lid.  To do so is setting up an opportunity for some breakage.

The saddlebag, though, is not evenly shaped.  That niche at the rear would hold the battery unit nicely.

[G-Man]

I agree with the naked emperor.  There's a fair amount of space under the saddle.  Those cables are not long.  With some creativity they may be stored there also.

I'm not comfortable with hanging that weight on the inside of the lid.  To do so is setting up an opportunity for some breakage.

The saddlebag, though, is not evenly shaped.  That niche at the rear would hold the battery unit nicely.

My idea suspended the charger from the underside of the lid.  Yes, too heavy for velcro after a good bump or two.  Elastic straps or bands running crosswise under the charger, holding the charger up to the lid was my thought.

[Rams]

I thought about getting one of those, if you've got the room they are obviously a very good item to have on board.   I decided they took up too much room and elected to build a light weight set of jumper cables and hope someone would provide my fat lady a boost, should there ever be the need.

Up to this point, I've never needed to use them for myself although I have jumped off a few other bikes from time to time.   These small and lite weight jumpers don't take up nearly as much room (only about 6 foot long with small clamps) and have been a blessing to have on board.   They won't inflate a tire though.  

I need to build another set for the trike, I seem to always forget to move them when I ride it.

Rams

[Serk]

I thought about getting one of those, if you've got the room they are obviously a very good item to have on board.   I decided they took up too much room and elected to build a light weight set of jumper cables and hope someone would provide my fat lady a boost, should there ever be the need.

I mean, is it really THAT much smaller than this? And with this I can jumpstart myself or someone else even without another vehicle, emergency charge my phone, has a flashlight, etc...

[h13man]

Instead of velcro, use actual hook and latch variant. Some badass stuff. There might be room enough at the fender/frame area under the seat. I have my Back Off unit mounted there but...