I've gleaned a lot of good info from this forum the past two years, so I've decided to share my planning/mods and then highlights of the trip as I'm on the road.

I'm leaving next week from the Ft. Wayne, Indiana area (approx. 4 hrs. Southeast of Chicago) to north central Wyoming, with alternate bad weather routes to Colorado or New Mexico. I'm giving myself 2-3 weeks.

I hope you enjoy and/or find something useful. Over the next several days I'll add info and photos as I load up.

The bike-2012 S40 bought new in 2013 with zero miles and now has approx. 4,000.


Cruz Tools tool roll-over the year I've forced myself to not use my shop tools so as to make sure (as much as possible) I have what I need in the roll. The only thing I eliminated from their package is the electrical tape, which I store elsewhere. I have added the items you see laying on the flap as I needed them. The third from right is a telescoping magnet. The rest are self evident.


Zipper pouch- the small magnetic tray I slick to the bike and put parts I remove in so as not to lose them. Second from right is epoxy stick.


Bicycle water bottle holder- has a rubber base and velco wraps around the fork. The bungee loop is not needed for the bottle but left on as it will secure a Starbucks-like coffee thermos. Very easy to reach even while riding.


Ace hardware solid brass combination lock- used as a trip odometer with a rubber grommet installed in it's loop, allowing the analog clock to be bolted thru.

   
Handlebar rack- left photo- I fabricated this from sheet aluminum and its mounted to the handlebars with after market windscreen clamps that accept sliding rods for adjustments. I've used 3/8" dia. bolts with the heads cut off and the threaded end used for bolting the sheet metal. Unseen are diagonal braces underneath that I added, as I was getting some vibration while riding. A Velcro strip on top secures a map case.

Handlebar rack-middle photo shows Wolfman Luggage small rollie bag mounted, which holds a spare front and rear tire tube, talc, leather rim protectors and a dedicated ratchet wrench for the front axle.

Handlebar rack-right photo shows an Aerostich map case mounted.


Handlebar with cramp buster mounted (I've tried several others and this is the simplest and works very well) and bar end-weight (both ends) with integrated lock used for securing helmets. The weights dampen vibration.

A final note for today. I've switched-out the stock handlebars for drag bars with (if I remember correctly) 2" pull-back.

More tomorrow!

Thanks. I'm uploading a side view momentarily.

Don't rely on the stock bag brackets as your only mounting.
I had one break on me, lucky no bags at the time and only one leg.

And I think they're only meant to keep the bag outta the spokes, not actually hold up a bag.

Verslagen is right.  Most pannier racks for dual sports use 3/4 steel tube with 4 mounting points and a brace across the back as well.