[Author Index] [Date Index] [Thread Index]
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]

Electrified Triumph Tank Bag for T-Birds



I just completed making an "Electrified" Triumph tankbag for my Thunderbird.
With my new tankbag set up, I can easily plug in my Widder electric vest, my
electric gloves and my radar detector.  As an added bonus the bag has a
switchable map light.  With a few changes, this will also work on any of the
Triumph classic bikes and the sportbikes (even the Trophy but you guys have
a fairing to put electric sockets into).
Materials:
1.  Triumph Thunderbird tank bag; A9518001; price is around $130 (substitute
Daytona bag for Daytona,etc.)
2.  BMW tank bag electrification kit; 970925;  price is around $160 (dealer
let me have one for $110)
3.  Uni-Solar 2' fused battery cable; MBC-FBC 2; price is around $10 (got
mine from West Marine--this is a     fusible link that is attached to the
battery and allows for a quick connect/disconnect using a one way plug to
avoid switching polarity, can also be used with Battery Tender charger)
4.  Marinco Delux 12V receptacle; 12VRC; price is around $13 (this is a
cigarette lighter style socket-got it from West Marine)
5.  Cole Hersee Co. trailer connection; 11172; price is around $3; (from
West Marine-allows for a quick connect/disconnect using a plug that can only
be used one way to avoid switching polarity)
6.  While at West Marine, you will also need to pick up a10 amp fuse (slow
fuse if they have it) and several heat shrink tubes to waterproof all joints
and connections.

The BMW electrification panel consists of two 3" by 3" aluminum plates,
containing two BMW style electric sockets, a map light within the panel, the
wiring, connectors and a switched third socket for inside the tankbag.  The
two aluminum plates make up the frame and one plate fits on the outside of
the tankbag and one plate fits on the inside.  The two plates are screwed
together with five screws and keep the tankbag rigid at that point.  I like
the Triumph tankbags because they are very well made, are rigid and
waterproof.  On the Thunderbird tankbag, there is a small, removable pocket
in the front (the front being that part of the bag the rider sees while
riding). This pocket part zips in and out and that is where I mounted the
BMW panel.  Take out the maplight and the two sockets from the panel frame
and screw the two plates in (use a drill to drill the holes after lining up
the outside and inside panel plates).  Next use a soldering iron to cut the
square hole for the maplight and the two round holes for the sockets.  The
tankbag is made up plastic and nylon so the soldering iron works great for
this.  Put in the map light and two sockets and connect the wiring that came
with the BMW panel.
There is a small hole in the panel to allow the BMW wiring to come out the
front (towards the rider).  Cut the two small male push pins off the end of
the BMW wiring and connect the quick connect (Cole Hersee trailer
connector-red wire to BMW white/red wire and black wire to the BMW brown
wire).  Solder the connections and use shrink wrap tubes to waterproof
everything.
Connect the Uni-solar fused battery cable to the battery, red to positive
and black to negative.  Install a ten amp fuse (the Uni-solar has a
waterproof fuse holder for a "ATC blade" fuse).
I substituted a Marinco cigarette lighter style socket for the third BMW
style socket (that is inside the tankbag) because my Valentine radar
detector uses that size).  I glued Velcro to the bottom of my detector so I
can attach the detector to the Triumph tankbag which already has Velcro on
the top.
Put the tankbag on, connect to the quick connect, put on your electric vest
and think warm and fuzzy thought while riding.
This setup is not the cheapest way to connect up to the battery but the
Triumph electric tankbag setup is very trick looking and works wonderful.
The maplight and sockets are right where you want them, immediately in front
of you as you ride.  You can easily take your tankbag off at night with the
quick connect plugs and the quick connect can be used with a Battery Tender
to charge your battery.  I have the quick connect wire from the battery rout
ed under the gas tank and above the chrome "900" panel to the tankbag.  If I
want to take the tankbag off and hide the wire, I take the seat off and pull
the quick connect plug back through leave it rolled up just in front of the
toolbag underneath the seat.

John Westcott
San Antonio, TX






 *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
 The ST Mailing list is sponsored by the Unofficial ST Website
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST and Mailing List info

=-=-=-= Next Message =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=