[Rhodetrip]

Thanks to Tinman Tim's ingenuity, we now have a great option for mounting soft bags on the TW. These Wolfman Expedition Dry Bags are absolutely water and dust proof due to the welded, roll top construction. I don't see why Tim's racks won't work for other brands of soft bags as well, but you're on your own checking the details.



Tim's racks arrive via Priority Mail. I think he's competeing with Cycleracks to see who can use the most bubble wrap and packing tape to wrap an unbreakable metal object. After 4 hours of removing it, and 3 knife wounds, I finally got the parts unpacked. I'm going to install these on Mrs. Trip's TW, that has been lowered with a V-Star shock, and has had the seat cut down.

They are all nicely welded and painted to match the cyclerack. Left and right hoops, crossbar, and 2 knobs.



You start by hooking the side hoops over the cycleracks side and around 2 crossbars.

Then it just swings down into position.

 

[Rhodetrip]

Once both sides are in place, you fit the crossbar between them, under the rack and over the rear fender:

(I'm attempting to do it backwards in this photo. The tube goes inside the hoop, with the flange facing backwards.) Once its in place, just tighten down on the knobs until its snug.

This is what it should look like. Total time to install is about 2 minutes.

 

[Rhodetrip]

When you order your Wolfman bags, be sure to specify that they are for "Other Racks". Tinman Tims racks will work with several different styles of saddle bags that Wolfman makes. These are the "Expedition Dry Bags"

The smaller ziplock bags has 8 "D" rings with a doublesided velcro strap on each one.

What you do is wrap the strap around the vertical hoop and through itself until its all wrapped and snug

They go on easy, and the velcro sticks to itself

 

[Rhodetrip]

Do all 4 corners on both hoops:

They tell you to stuff a sleeping bag or quilt into each of the panniers to give it the right shape. Inside each is a plastic stiffener to give it shape, and this needs to be removed and fit in properly. Then I stuffed it.

There are 4 metal buckles on the back of the saddlebags. You loosen the straps,and fit these buckles through the "D" rings, then pull them snug.

Once all 4 buckles are through, you snug down on the straps and the saddlebags are secure!

Once both sides are mounted, tighten down on the straps that connect them and run over the seat and rack...and you're good to go!

For more information on mounting the bags, check out the wolfman video:

Wolfman bags



For more information on Tinman Tim's racks and aluminum panniers, as well as photos of my Wolfman Teton bags on my TW, refer to this thread:

Aluminum panniers

 

[r80rt]

Pretty nice set up, looks like it will work great.

 

[joedirt1970]

Looks Great !! I hear the low rider them song in the back ground. But it sure looks cool.

 

[Rainman]

Looks great. Thanks for the write up.

 

[tinman tim]

Couldn't ask for a better write-up! Thanks Rhodetrip. TIM

 

[stephenmarklay]

What is the ideal size for the rack with these bags? I have some soft cortech bags I would like to use but they don't have the mounting like the wolfmans. I could try mine but then plan B is to swing for the wolfmans. So getting the perfect fit hangers for the wolfmans is the smart thing to do.

 

[Point37]

looking good!!!

 

[stephenmarklay]

I meant what dimensions do I need for Tinman Tim to make these specific to the wolf man bags

 

[Rhodetrip]

The dimensions of the hoop for the second set is 12 inches wide and 9-1/2 inches high on the outside . Works perfectly.

 

[stephenmarklay]

The dimensions of the hoop for the second set is 12 inches wide and 9-1/2 inches high on the outside . Works perfectly.

Oh cool. I thought I read you say that the wolfman bags needed 9" at most...

 

[Xracer]

That look great. I also know what your FYYFF sticker means.

 

[danceswithcages]

Hi all!

Long time lurker...

I have these bags on my DR650 and they are indestructable. Totally waterproof, dust proof, idiot proof.

I've thrown my DR down dirt roads and the bags just laugh.



There's a cool mod that involves your bags and a couple wastebaskets. Keeps the bags strong even when empty.



Google 'Wolfman wastebasket mod'. BigDog explains it in his WR250R mods list.

 

[CaptD]

Hi all!

Long time lurker...

I have these bags on my DR650 and they are indestructable. Totally waterproof, dust proof, idiot proof.

I've thrown my DR down dirt roads and the bags just laugh.



There's a cool mod that involves your bags and a couple wastebaskets. Keeps the bags strong even when empty.



Google 'Wolfman wastebasket mod'. BigDog explains it in his WR250R mods list.

Welcome and thanks for posting up. I have these bags on my KLR and love them. I did the wastebasket mod from BigDogs site last February. It makes the bags really easy to load and unload. The wastebasket fits very snug inside the saddle bag. The drawback is that when your bike falls over/crashes there is no "give" and the bags can tear/rip open. So I started looking for an alternative. I now have removed the wastebaskets and replaced them with fold top dry bags that fit inside perfect. They are Exped Fold Dry Bag BS, emerald green in color, size XL. Got 2 from Clavey Paddlesports for $19 each. Totally waterproof. Just open the saddlebag and pull out the dry bag. No more fumbling around and looking for an item while on the bike. Grab it and go works great for setting up camp in the rain or hiting the hotel. I got the idea when I saw another KLR rider pull out his black garbage bag from the saddle bag and then a v strom rider open his side pannier and pull out his liner bag. Can't go wrong with the Wolfman products they are top notch. Capt D.

 

[DonBenito]

Rhodetrip, thank you so much for this informative thread!

You helped me decide to pull the trigger on Tinman's brackets, you helped me get them installed after I bought them, and you helped me pick out which soft bags to buy when the 20lbs apiece ammo cans I first mounted up proved to be miserably heavy!

Went with the black Wolfman Expedition Dry Bags myself, and after a short test ride I love 'em!

Not as much capacity as the big ol' ammo cans for sure, but the reduction in weight of the luggage alone is going to make riding on those longer trips so much better! I could prolly stand to lean up my camping kit anyhow, so I've got no complaints.

The only issue I can see with my setup is the hassle of unhooking the cross-straps with my topbox bolted in place. I managed to get the rear strap snaked through, snapped, and tightened down underneath the Action Packer, but that was a chore and getting it unhooked was worse. Probably not a huge issue though, as I tend to leave my luggage in place.

Anyhow, many thanks to Rhodetrip for this thread, Tinman for these brackets, and Wolfman for these bags!

 

[long distance rider]

I've searched and searched and can't find the wastebasket mod.....how about a link instead of a Google reference........I've been looking for a method to keep my Expedition bags expanded and this sounds like the fix. thanks, Mike

 

[admiral]

I've searched and searched and can't find the wastebasket mod.....how about a link instead of a Google reference........I've been looking for a method to keep my Expedition bags expanded and this sounds like the fix. thanks, Mike

Here is a link to BigDog's mod thread. The "wastebasket" mod is nearer the end at the 7-9-12 update just before August 2012. Hope this helps. Has pictures too!

2008WR250R

I don't use Wolfman bags, but I cut off the top of large plastic kitty litter containers and use them as inserts in my saddlebags similar to the wastebasket mod to help keep my saddlebag form. The kitty litter plastic looks thinner than the wastebasket plastic. Lot's of options for saddlebag inserts as far as size is concerned. Good luck.

 

[joeband]

i used wolfman on my summer trip and they worked great.


darn tough, this pic is the result of laying the bike down at 25- 30 mph.


tim knows the dimensions for these panniers, and makes his racks to fit them when you tell him that's what you have.