revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Given the hammer that it'll get, toolboxes, muddy bums etc I'd be tempted to use the stuff that they call 'coin plate rubber matting' that you can get for garages and maybe hang a couple of washable patio cushions nearby to stick on top if you want a comfy seat.

Count Steer wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 12:50 pm Given the hammer that it'll get, toolboxes, muddy bums etc I'd be tempted to use the stuff that they call 'coin plate rubber matting' that you can get for garages and maybe hang a couple of washable patio cushions nearby to stick on top if you want a comfy seat.

Good plan. I've just tested the theory with some gym matting i've trimmed to size and i have to say, yeah i like it.

Nice thought, thanks

BTW Weeksy, how are you getting on with the Ryobi stuff? I've ended up with quite a bit over the last 6 months or so and it seems pretty reliable.

Rockburner wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:59 pm BTW Weeksy, how are you getting on with the Ryobi stuff? I've ended up with quite a bit over the last 6 months or so and it seems pretty reliable.

I rarely use the drill mate, but when i do, it works. It's the only power tool i own, so can't comment on anything else.

weeksy wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:51 pm

Count Steer wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 12:50 pm Given the hammer that it'll get, toolboxes, muddy bums etc I'd be tempted to use the stuff that they call 'coin plate rubber matting' that you can get for garages and maybe hang a couple of washable patio cushions nearby to stick on top if you want a comfy seat.

Good plan. I've just tested the theory with some gym matting i've trimmed to size and i have to say, yeah i like it.

Nice thought, thanks

Coolio.

For the lighting I'd suggest a hand held rechargable inspection light. They usually have a magnet so can be stuck to steel in the back. I've go a Lidl one that charges via a usb connection, the as on my phone, satnav and ebook.

For led lighting the 12volt self adhesive strip you get for under kitchen cupboard lighting works great. Just connect a strip into the rear light that’ll come on when you open doors. For a working light one that charges from the 12v socket e-while you drive works well

2023-01-10_04-01-12 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Getting there.. 1 panel and the wheel-arch left to do. Getting dark now though so it can wait until another day.

Is the roof insulated in any way? If there's any chance of sleeping in the van I'd do something up there. (Toured Scotland in a van + tent. When we tried sleeping in the van the condensation from the roof was like rain. ) Probably add some air vents too so you can sleep with the back doors shut if necessary.

Count Steer wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:29 pm Is the roof insulated in any way? If there's any chance of sleeping in the van I'd do something up there. (Toured Scotland in a van + tent. When we tried sleeping in the van the condensation from the roof was like rain. ) Probably add some air vents too so you can sleep with the back doors shut if necessary.

Not insulated currently.... Something to consider though that's for sure. But i don't think i'll be doing that until a bit warmer and no condensation etc anywhere. But lets see how the year plays out and how the carpeting does first

weeksy wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:31 pm

Count Steer wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:29 pm Is the roof insulated in any way? If there's any chance of sleeping in the van I'd do something up there. (Toured Scotland in a van + tent. When we tried sleeping in the van the condensation from the roof was like rain. ) Probably add some air vents too so you can sleep with the back doors shut if necessary.

Not insulated currently.... Something to consider though that's for sure. But i don't think i'll be doing that until a bit warmer and no condensation etc anywhere. But lets see how the year plays out and how the carpeting does first

We were in Scotland.....in August.

Bums... just gone to do the last panel and the wheel arch... Not quite enough material as i expected. Sadly it was too small for the panel, i'd have preferred to get that done today and then leaving just the wheel arch, but didn't quite work out for me. So the wheel arch is done and the last panel will be Thurs or Fri depending on when it arrives.

Testing the new toolbox/seating options

2023-01-12_03-29-08 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

2023-01-12_03-29-04 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

If the toolboxes are in use you lose the seat?

I suppose it depends on whether you'll be spannering in the van but a simple frame bench seat to slide the boxes under and keep them in place when on the move would give you a seat as well as a tool store and you could sit on it to do some of the spannering.

I may be over-engineering this.

Count Steer wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 4:04 pm If the toolboxes are in use you lose the seat?

I suppose it depends on whether you'll be spannering in the van but a simple frame bench seat to slide the boxes under and keep them in place when on the move would give you a seat as well as a tool store and you could sit on it to do some of the spannering.

I may be over-engineering this.

Would also prevent the toolboxes jumping out of the strap on particularly bumpy roads.

Count Steer wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 4:04 pm If the toolboxes are in use you lose the seat?

I suppose it depends on whether you'll be spannering in the van but a simple frame bench seat to slide the boxes under and keep them in place when on the move would give you a seat as well as a tool store and you could sit on it to do some of the spannering.

I may be over-engineering this.

If they're in use, I'm not sitting down

When you say 'simple' that implies I have knowledge, tools, wood.
Of which I have none!

weeksy wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 4:14 pm

Count Steer wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 4:04 pm If the toolboxes are in use you lose the seat?

I suppose it depends on whether you'll be spannering in the van but a simple frame bench seat to slide the boxes under and keep them in place when on the move would give you a seat as well as a tool store and you could sit on it to do some of the spannering.

I may be over-engineering this.

If they're in use, I'm not sitting down

When you say 'simple' that implies I have knowledge, tools, wood.
Of which I have none!

I used to do quite a lot of bike fettling and cleaning sitting down.

(I also have quite a bit of timber of various sorts* in the garage and various implements including circular saw, jig saw etc. I'll have a look but I suspect the key missing ingredient will be a few lengths of decking to make the seat part).

*when they built my shed/cabin they appeared to bring half a spare one, just in case.

Better pics in daylight, but apart from the wheel arch top, it's done.

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2023-01-12_05-53-51 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Next job is to work out what to do with the roof, but a lot of that will be decided by whether either of us plans on sleeping in there.

Finished.... for now.

2023-01-13_08-14-51 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Tenner says theres a muddy footprint on the carpetting within a month.