Tank Bag

[Jonesy]

forgot to mention the tank bag is ok too.

[Christian Raith]

Thanks for the follow up. No I never heard back from him but it is good to know he got the stickers.

[Jonesy]

Christian, did you get a response from readfords?
I called in again today on the way to Cobar and mentioned to Dave, (formerly known as the boss) that you said you had contacted him and he acknowledged receiving some stickers.
Any way we chatted for about 20mins or so and some trivia I gleaned from him was that hei is also an RD (smokey ring dinger ) enthusiast  I believe there are some tragics/enthusiasts  (now i'll duck for cover )getting around this forum that might keep him in mind for spares...think he said he had 5
trivia No:2 is a bit of friendly rivalry between them and pittmans as to who is the oldest/longest continuously operating yammie dealer in Australia. Dave claims his father originally became a dealer in 1967 where as Pittmans were a distributor first then a dealer.......bit of a technicality hes got pittmans on.
Anyway from our short yarn he still clocks up a few kays, is approachable and a possible lead for those hard to find bits.....with such along history in the biz

[Christian Raith]

I have sent them a couple of our group stickers and cards also emailed them.
See if I get a response 

[tripodtiger]

Readfords are a good place to find NOS Yamaha parts.  Well, that was unless they've sold most of it.  Rumour was they bought a heap of parts years ago.

Retro Yamaha, Adelaide, reportedly bought a heap of Pitman's NOS.

The local, defunct, Yamaha dealer couldn't see past their noses and took all of their NOS to the tip!!! That was before ebay and the second coming of Japanese classic bikes.  I hated going into that shop - the female owner was an absolute horror.  Blamed everyone else for everything she did wrong, including the customers! even though it was obvious to everyone else that she was the problem.  And they stay and stayed and stayed until retirement.  Then the new owners couldn't get their partnership to work and closed up.

Oh, this was about tank bags.  Mine is an old gear sack one.  Another thing I've hung onto 'cause I'm a hoarder. Throw a towel under the straps and job's right!

[Jonesy]

Well I was a bit stunned to randomly drop in to have a squiz at tank bags and by chance learn he had a couple out the back that I completely forgot about the forum, calling cards etc

Anyway they were pretty neglected, both standards about 81 vintage? (red - silver) They're waiting for "when things quieten down the "boss" wants to restore them"
We had to move a whole heap of boxes and rubbish off the nearest one to try the bag on the tank, they were that covered in dust the bag got dirty from brushing against it....you get the picture. they were that far under "stuff" that I didnt see the other one right next to it until it was pointed out to me.

I think from our brief conversation the guy who showed me out the back was an XS 650 enthusiast.

I will definitely call in next time through and let the boss know about the forum
 "Readfords" i think the business name was

[steptoe]

fair dinkum ,, what a beautifull story,, so did we end up floored or were we able to compose ourselves,,,

and what was the out come of this chance meeting, pray tell 

[Christian Raith]

Did you tell the boss about the forum??
Should give him one of our cards
What shop was it?

[Jonesy]

I ended up getting an R-Jays(magnetic) yesterday epandable to about 15-20 litres with shoulder strap and rain cover for $69........any way the other part of the story is.
I explained to the the lady serving that I pass through here (dubbo) about every 6 weeks and if it doesnt work out to be right for the bike can I bring it back? yes no worries she says. Then another guy working behind a computer pipes up and says what sorta bike mate? an XS1100 I says....mate bring the tank bag out the back the boss has got 2 XS11's out there and you can try it on for size.......get outa here.

[AussiXS11G]

sorry about the delay - it ia an Oxford - doesn't expand....

takes spare gloves, wallett, phone, camera, go-pro bits and thats about it

[Jonesy]

Thanks fellas
Bryan what brand is that one? is that it or will it expand a bit?

[AussiXS11G]

I am a fan also - but mine have been getting smaller over the years - this is the latest.

Unless Leesa is travelling with me then the largest and most extended comes out - sorta like a leaning tower of Piza on the tank

[melbxs]

I got mine in Aldi believe it or not.

The magnets in it are strong enough for it not to move around, so with just a few tools, torch etc in it I dont bother with all the straps.

It has 3 levels, but I only ever use the bottom 2.

Map pocket is great. Have never had a soaking with it - so can't comment on it's weatherproofness.I reckon for 40 bucks it was a great buy.

Pretty sure this is the same:

LINKY

[Jonesy]

I'm a bit of a fan of the tank bag for carrying gear.
I have one made by "Bagster" for my other bike that incorporates a full tank cover and its the best one I've ever used...doesnt move or slip around and chafe the paintwork.
Unfortunately they dont make 'em for the 11....So......

Can any one reccomend a brand/model/type to have a look at?

I like the idea of being able to put the navman in the clear top bit and not have to stuff around putting handle bar brackets on etc