Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Tool rolls

I'm after a good tool roll/bag etc. to fit on front forks. Can anybody recommend a decent one that'll hold all you might need and still look good? Triumph don't do any apparently, must be something to do with the famous 'must be fitted by a registered Triumph dealer' thing! I know they don't encourage doing your own maintenance...

I use a willie & max toolbag on my forks - I like the look but you'll find that any bag that attaches to the lower yoke sorts hangs awkwardly from it, like this:



You could also hang it from the lightbar if you have one, but that'd hang even worse.

To make it sit right you need a right-angled bracket that bolts up under the lower yoke to the driving light mounts, and sits behind the bag to hold it slightly away from the forks. Then it sits like this:



That also has the added benefit that you can bolt it directly to the bracket instead of using straps round the yoke, so that even if someone steals your tools, at least they can't steal your bag (easilly), and it's a lot less likely to fall off in transit. It's also a lot easier to clean your lightbar without the bag in the way.

Matt

Thinking of fitting a tool roll myself soon, thats some great info

Great info and pics Matt, thanks for going to the trouble. Still undecided whether to go for a bag or a roll. I can see that you'd have to fit a bracket with the bag to stop it sitting awkwardly. I suppose a roll would lay more easily but you'd probably risk damaging the fork shrouds eventually both with roll or bag without some kind of bracket...

Hi Dave,

I have the Willie & Max TP100 toolrool up front (this pic is after a year's use and pre-lightbar):



Very good quality...

I made up a couple of brackets to keep it from rubbing on the fork shrouds. This pic is also pre-lightbar and these now sit below the lower tree now (simple and effective):

BonnyUSA-I note the footboards on your BA-Do you find they get in the way of reaching the kickstand?

A little bit but it's something I don't even think about.

Considering the benefits of the footboards (IMO), having to grab the rear tang of the sidestand with my toe is nothing!

Thanks for that Phil, again good pics and info. Think I'll have a go at making/ fitting some. I'm good with wood but my metalwork skills are somewhat lacking. What metal/ tools/ bolts would you need to make the brackets?

I made them out some scrap 1/8" aluminum that was already the width that you see. Hand filed the round ends, stuck the round tips in a vise and hand bent the curves until they matched (over a large socket), hammered the right angles in a vise, and drilled the mounting holes. The little holes that you see are left overs from whatever life this metal had before. btw, now they have a pretty good polish with a rattle can clear coat. They are also a little shorter to accomodate the 5" travel of the forks. I was actually hitting my fender with them at first!!

As you can see, I used mostly hand tools. I also bought some bolts and locking nuts from the local supply to fit the holes in the lower tree (holes in the brackets to match).

If you can work with wood, you can fashion light metals too. Give it a try, you might surprise yourself!

Hiya Dafydd
Got myself a tool roll.
Holds a sh!t load of stuff and only cost a tenner.

If you're going to pretty much any bike show with trade stands, you'll have a good choice of designs and sizes.

Got mine from the Bath & West show at Shepton Mallet a little while ago.

I think they look better when positioned low down infront of the foot controls but I have mine under the headlight, for 2 reasons:
1. Low down, it would collect SO much crap of our roads, and
2. I have chrome foot control bars so I aint gonna hide 'em behind no ten quid tool roll!!

David the small roll I have on my home brew rack was a tenner at a show. there will be plenty of trade stands at bike week next week at Scarborough on Olivers Mount. Originally had it on the forks but it started to polish/ mark the upper shrouds but then I got my rack finished and coated, I think it is fairly neat... must post pics to get other opinions.
See you Weds if you are still up for the evening run.
cheers Mike

Thanks for all the info guys, very useful, my next project I reckon.
I’ll be heading to Bike Week on one of the days next week, as you say should be able to pick up a good roll there then I'll set about making the brackets for it.

Mike, I’ll probably be there for the Saltburn run, I’ll send you a PM.