Headstock strap on magnetic tank bag

[braddy]

Afternoon all, really daft question but an understanding answer would be appreciated.

I’ve got a magnetic tank bag and there is a strap on the front which I imagine is to be placed around the headstock to make it more secure.

I’m just wondering if there is a right (or more importantly) wrong area of the headstock to fasten it. I have a Thundercat and I’m concerned that it may interfere with the steering.

Cheers for any info

[StevRS]

Stick it under the bag and the magnet's will hold it on fine!

[black-k1]

I don’t know the particular vagaries of the Thundercat but the key is to get the strap behind all the cables/hoses that run down beside the headstock and to try and ensure that the strap is not wrapped around the actual bearing. If you do all of this then there should be no interference between the strap and steering components.

Just a note. I would recommend that you have something like a duster that lives between the magnets and the paintwork. Every magnetic tank bag I have ever used has ultimately scratched the tank. The most common problem is that the magnets attract small ‘rust’ particles which then do a very good job of marking the paint where they sit on the tank.

[dern]

You don't really need to do it up tightly, it's just a backup. As StevRS says the magnets will hold it on just fine.

[road_rager]

I would use the strap, attach it in the middle of the bars somewhere, doesn't have to be tight. My tank bank used to lift off somewhere above 100 leptons, was very glad of that strap!

[black-k1]

road_rager said:

I would use the strap, attach it in the middle of the bars somewhere, doesn't have to be tight. My tank bank used to lift off somewhere above 100 leptons, was very glad of that strap!

I’ve had similar with magnetic tank bags moving at speed or in strong cross winds.

Edited by black-k1 on Monday 13th October 14:41

[Adam_W]

was quite glad of the strap when i had a small off the other day, kept my belongings with my bike rather than strewn across the road.

[Taita]

I've got a bog standard Aldi one for 17quid.

Was stable at 1.35leptons

[blackburnbmw]

Never needed to use the strap. Unfaired XJR1300 at 1.2 leptons they move around a little, but on a faired 'Cat you'll be fine without. If you do use the strap, keep it away from the 'bars whatever you do - it's a headstock strap, so that's where it goes (if you must).

[StevRS]

Plus presumably you lean on the tank bag whilst riding? I do and it's lovely being out of the wind & rain!

[y2blade]

my oxford tankbag is good upto v-max on the blade without it moving at all....i use the headstock strap so i dont drop it when propping it upright against the screen when re-fueling

[braddy]

Brilliant, cheers for that.

I thought it seemed pretty secure without the strap but I wasn't sure. I've not been riding too long so still below 100 leptons as a rule so it should be fine with the magnets.

Good comment about sratching the paint too, I'll put something under the magnets as I hadn't considered that happening.

[y2blade]

braddy said:

Brilliant, cheers for that.

I thought it seemed pretty secure without the strap but I wasn't sure. I've not been riding too long so still below 100 leptons as a rule so it should be fine with the magnets.

Good comment about sratching the paint too, I'll put something under the magnets as I hadn't considered that happening.

i have never had any scratches, the base of the oxford one is grippy rubber and my bike is always kept clean so no dirt to get ground in

also if you put something smooth between the tank bag and the tank it may not grip very well esp on a naked bike without the wind protection (i dont know what bike you have)

just a though

Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 14th October 13:11

[black-k1]

y2blade said:

braddy said:

Brilliant, cheers for that.

I thought it seemed pretty secure without the strap but I wasn't sure. I've not been riding too long so still below 100 leptons as a rule so it should be fine with the magnets.

Good comment about sratching the paint too, I'll put something under the magnets as I hadn't considered that happening.

i have never had any scratches, the base of the oxford one is grippy rubber and my bike is always kept clean so no dirt to get ground in

also if you put something smooth between the tank bag and the tank it may not grip very well esp on a naked bike without the wind protection (i dont know what bike you have)

just a though

Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 14th October 13:11

I agree that putting something under the tank bag reduces the grip and I have always ensured that my tank is clean before fitting a magnetic bag but I have managed to scratch three separate tanks with two different bags. What tends to happen is that the bag magnets manage to pick up a small rust particle that is then pressed into the paintwork. Being very small, it is often very difficult to see and with the ‘grippy’ matting bottom on most tank bags, tends to stay put even though the bottom of the bag is wiped thoroughly.

It hasn’t happened often (three times in about 7 years of using magnetic tank bags) but on all occasions it was, naturally, on a day when several other things had already gone pear shaped. Just what you need! After the third occurrence, I will now only use tank bags that clip/strap to the tank (Baglux being my favoured choice.)

Edited by black-k1 on Tuesday 14th October 13:35