Meese Tool Tube

[ajs]

I have learned how to attach pictures to a thread :o and as promised earlier this is my adventure in Messe tool tube making.

The tube is made of 16 ga. (about 1.65 mil.) stainless. Ari recommended about 1 mil. I could only get 24 or 16 ga. I opted for the 16. :o The result meant a much more difficult job in getting the shape I wanted. If I was doing it over again I would use 22 ga. but would go to 24 if the 22 was not available.

The back end piece is a donation from Dick in Boerne Texas that I cut and fit to the inside slide out that I call a drawer. The overall length is 27.5" with two step downs to allow for clearance on the swing arm. The drawer is made from 24 ga. stainless with a double rolled edge along the full length of both sides of the drawer. This is for added strength. The drawer attaches by means of a threaded 5/16" stud welded to the inside of the inboard end plate that extends through a hole in the end piece of the outer tube where a corresponding stainless acorn nut is used to secure both pieces together. Both the drawer and tube end plates are made of 1/8" stainless

The outer tube attaches to the bike by way of brackets that are welded to the top of the tube slightly to the right of center and they are attached to mounting points already built into the rear sub frame where the right saddle bag attaches. The brackets on the tube are off-set to the right so that the tube will hang similarly to the real muffler on the left side.

I read Ari's thread regarding his moisture control addition and decided to take a different approach, at least for now. I don't have as much room on the end of the tube for his type of installation so I opted for a gasket seal at the point where the muffler end piece faces with the outer tube shell. If this doesn't work I will have to revisit Ari's approach. How's it working for you Ari?
I also drilled the appropriate weep holes in both tubes.

As I was building this I asked myself at least 75,000 times, why am I doing this because I have been riding Beemers for about 30 years and have never had a break down. I have never travelled across Canada and back before either so I just kept on trucking. Now that it is finished I will be carrying tools and assorted spare parts in it such as air filter, gas filter, spark plugs etc. just in case anyway. Probably will never need them :) but... you never know.

We will at least be able to use all the saddle bag space exclusively for personal gear now. The top case is reserved for quick change needs only as we travel down the road.

I have attached pictures in no specific order that I hope will help to better understand this long thread. How does the finished product look If you have any questions ask away? I will answer all except those that question my sanity. :)

[Dick]

Great job!!! Nice write up too. I couldn't imagine how you were gonna tackle all that soot and junk inside the tip that I sent you. I almost dunked it all in a vat of brake cleaner, butt thought it might interfere with the work you were gonna do. Sure looks a lot different than when it left here!!! ;)

BTW - I've got four more exhaust tips when you wanna practice some more with 22/24 gauge!!! ;) :D

Thanks for sharing, Austin - real nice.


I have attached pictures in no specific order that I hope will help to better understand this long thread. How does the finished product look If you have any questions ask away? I will answer all except those that question my sanity. :)

[meese]

Excellent job, Austin. That's more of what I originally had in mind, but I just don't have access to the sheet metal equipment. I'd say if you built a few more of those you could sell them pretty easily. :)

Now if I can only find a used GT muffler, I have some ideas for that as well. ;)

[Dman]

Your metal work is fabulous!

:yeah:

Nice job!!

[cfell]

need a spritz of flat black paint on the right 'exhaust'... or spray it another color so folks will take notice..

Fine job! do you find you have more HD type noises from the tools rattling around?

[pozo_izquierdo]

Good job Austin!

Now I see you how you were able to leave out the muffler cover plate out. You just built the tool tube long enough! That's very clever and besides who is able look the bike from both sides simultaneously anyway...
I like this tray idea and I guess that is the only way to reach to the very end of the tube. And I think the tray can help keep things dry inside as the possible water tends to condensate at the bottom of the outer tube.

My ventilation (pix attached for the others to understand better) has improved the humidity problem but I think that main cause for the water inside has been the (too much) open end of the tube. Now that I have radically reduced the end opening and added the air supply pipe things are pretty much OK now.

And I want to repeat that all the credit for my tube goes to my CCR buddy Jouko (and his son) who did the hard work, just as you did to yours! Especially with that thick steel...:p

And BTW, what is the rear rack system you have under your trunk?? We want to know more!

Best regards

[ajs]

[QUOTE=Dick]
BTW - I've got four more exhaust tips when you wanna practice some more with 22/24 gauge!!! ;) :D


Thanks for the comments Dick. But I would say if I ever get to practicing this again with ANY gage 'I' will question my sanity. :histerica

[ajs]

Excellent job, Austin. That's more of what I originally had in mind, but I just don't have access to the sheet metal equipment. I'd say if you built a few more of those you could sell them pretty easily. :)

Now if I can only find a used GT muffler, I have some ideas for that as well. ;)
I felt if I was going to do something like this it had to be good enough to measure up to the standard already set by you, with the idea, and Ari with the finished product. I will accept your and Ari's comments as recognizing that it is at least falls in the ballpark. :)

Oh yes, have fun with your used GT muffler!! :histerica

[ajs]

Your metal work is fabulous!

:yeah:

Nice job!!
It's amazing what a person can do with a little (read that as LOTS) of patience and a friend who can use a Tig welder.

Thanks for the comments.

[ajs]

need a spritz of flat black paint on the right 'exhaust'... or spray it another color so folks will take notice..

Fine job! do you find you have more HD type noises from the tools rattling around?
I will go with the spritz of black paint. You know, when I first decided to buy a BMW bike years ago the reason I did was because I like quiet. I have lots of other reasons for riding a Beemer now but I still like quiet. Right now the tube doesn't rattle because there is nothing in it. I will keep all this in mind when I load it up and you can be sure it will measure up to quiet.

Thanks for the reminder though.

[ajs]

[QUOTE=pozo_izquierdo]Good job Austin!

Now I see you how you were able to leave out the muffler cover plate out.

I would like to use a cover plate to properly finish it off but I couldn't find anyone with the skill to do it for me in a way that I could justify the cost. The only tinsmith I could find who was interested quoted his hourly rate with an open ended time so I say expensive. I am still looking though. it could be down the road.

I am glad to hear you are happy with your ventilation system I may go to it yet. Time will tell.

The rear rack system is my environmentally friendly clothes dryer. The Pics. of the bike show it in the in position when not in use and with it extended out for the in use position. It is made of 3/8 stainless tubing and has a series of holes drilled into it on the underside of the arms that slide in and out. The holes are to accommodate an open mesh laundry bag at various lengths. The top of the laundry bag is tied off to the top rack and runs down over the top dryer rack rail and under the bottom rail up under the slide rails towards the box and is hooked into the appropriate holes to keep it tight and in place.

Hasn't been tested yet, that is the next step. It is attached to the plastic cover under the top box and can be used wether the top box or F Worth rack is in place. Its not designed to dry a whole laundry but to dry smaller amounts that we might get as we travel across Canada and stop at various "Y's" for our workouts. You know sweaty workout clothes washed out in a sink, placed in the laundry bag, dried as we ride to be used at the next stop. Or any other small requirement that might arise along the way. Sitting at a dryer waiting for clothes to dry is a waste of time when you're on a bike. Anyway, that's the plan.

Oh by the way, there are a couple of other add ons showing in the pictures that no one has noticed, yet anyway.

Regards,
Austin S.

[ratorino2004]

Great job. Impressive workmanship....

[ibbones]

Really changes the look. Most awesome.

[RonKMiller]

"Oh by the way, there are a couple of other add ons showing in the pictures that no one has noticed, yet anyway."


As Borat would say "Veddy Niiceeh!" :thumb:

So, how about some more info on that beautiful trunk top rack, hooks on the grab rail, mirrors, turn signals on the wings, reflective tape, lights above the footpegs - and there is something going on with the footpegs too? :bmw:

[ajs]

"Oh by the way, there are a couple of other add ons showing in the pictures that no one has noticed, yet anyway."


As Borat would say "Veddy Niiceeh!" :thumb:

So, how about some more info on that beautiful trunk top rack, hooks on the grab rail, mirrors, turn signals on the wings, reflective tape, lights above the footpegs - and there is something going on with the footpegs too? :bmw:
You're half way there RonK. :) You spotted one of the two I was referring to earlier, the turn signals on the wings. The other one is in plain sight. :confused:

But, to respond to the items you have picked up on;
The trunk top rack is a ZTechkik with brake light that was on the bike when I bought it. I like it. It is chromed steel and has a number of points on it that can be used for tie down points.

The hook on the grab rail is really the temperature control switch on the Corbin passenger seat. It just looks like it is attached to the grab rail. :o

The mirrors are from an R1200C. I prefered these over the RS mirrors most others have used.

The turn signals on the wings are my version of the Wings of Gold. There is a set of two LED lights with 3 super bright amber LED's in each one. (a total of 6 bulbs for each wing) These work in the same way as other Wings of Gold, off the front signals. They don't wig wag, they are on simultaneously with the signals. The arrows are my effort to enhance the effect of the lights. I cut the horizontal V into the wings about 3/16" deep and beveled the edges on a 45 degree angle. The bevel is a dull finish for light transfer purposes. The arrow is polished smooth with a piece of yellow reflective tape adhered to its surface using clear silicone. This is purely experimental and to the extent I have been able to use them, I am not completely happy with the result. It works real well at night but seems to suffer visibility problems in the daytime.

The reflective tape is exactly that. Reflective sticky one side red that I cut to the appropriate size for the attachment points you see in the picture. This was added to give more visibility to the rear especially if we are stopped on the shoulder of the road particularly with a saddle bag open, hence the piece at the top rear of each bag cover. :D

There is no light above the foot pegs :o and there is nothing going on with the pegs. :o It must be the sunlight reflection. I did change out the incandescent ground lights under the wings to clear LED's but that doesn't show here.


Austin S

[ajs]

We got as far as Kitchener Ont. on our cross Canada trip when we had to return because of a family medical emergency. We ran in rain and sundry lighter wet conditions and I am pleased to report the tube was bone dry every time I checked it and when I removed it for an extensive cleaning a few days after we got back.

Also, it passed the anti Harley rattle (aka quiet test) as well. There was nary a noise to be heard from it. I am very pleased with it on all fronts except I am still wondering why I built it in the first place. Never had to use a darned thing out of it.... but it was a conversation piece with other bikers we met along the way.

FWIW, we may not be able to resume our trip until next year.

Regards,
Austin S.

[Dick]

Hi, Austin - sorry about the med. emergency. Some thangs just can't be avoided, expecially when it involves family!

Lissen, I got 4 more of those exhuast systems if you wanna practice making any more Ari/Meese tool tubes! You know, while it's still fresh in your mind on what you did!! ;) ;) ;) :D

Hopefully, you won't have to wait until next year to resume your trip. Keep thinking positive thoughts and we'll do the same down here. Good luck, Austin.


We got as far as Kitchener Ont. on our cross Canada trip when we had to return because of a family medical emergency. We ran in rain and sundry lighter wet conditions and I am pleased to report the tube was bone dry every time I checked it and when I removed it for an extensive cleaning a few days after we got back.

Also, it passed the anti Harley rattle (aka quiet test) as well. There was nary a noise to be heard from it. I am very pleased with it on all fronts except I am still wondering why I built it in the first place. Never had to use a darned thing out of it.... but it was a conversation piece with other bikers we met along the way.

FWIW, we may not be able to resume our trip until next year.

Regards,
Austin S.

[pickerbiker]

Incredible craftsmanship. Well done, Austin. Maybe you can fabricate the muffler now to cook dinner on the way?