Hepco and Becker Panniers - A question for those using them.

Dellis

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I’ve had an Andover Norton rack for a couple of years and at the same time I bought a pair of AN supplied Hepco and Becker panniers but I haven’t yet used the panniers. My question is are they ok with peashooters? The question I’m asking is are they going to melt as they are only just over two inches above the rear of the exhaust? I’m probably going to get some heat proof material for the bottom of the boxes but just wanted to see what those with the same setup had experienced.

Thanks
Dave
 
Funny you ask this question Dave, as I wondered about it myself, but knowing you'd fitted the set a few years ago, came to the conclusion that they must be fine. Didn't realize you hadn't used the panniers yet.

Maybe drop AN an email?
 
Funny you ask this question Dave, as I wondered about it myself, but knowing you'd fitted the set a few years ago, came to the conclusion that they must be fine. Didn't realize you hadn't used the panniers yet.

Maybe drop AN an email?
That’s what I was thinking but as with all things the experience of people who have used them is usually more useful. I bought them with the intention of doing some touring on the Commando but with time restraints and our holidays tending to be in Europe I’ve used the KTM. Plus they are useless for a pillion hence my footpeg modification. I’ve used the rack with a bag on the back for weekends away. The reason they are about to get used is we’re having a week in Scotland this June and it seemed an ideal opportunity to take the Norton.

If I don’t get any info on here I will drop AN a note.

Dave
 
My Givi cases are similar to yours, but are 5" away from the exhaust pipes, so not the same distance you asked about. Once you are moving, that part of the exhaust system is cool by comparison to the header pipes. I wouldn't think even at 2" there would be any kind of issue, especially once you are moving and the air flow drags the heat off the mufflers and the cases as you ride...
 
My Givi cases are similar to yours, but are 5" away from the exhaust pipes, so not the same distance you asked about. Once you are moving, that part of the exhaust system is cool by comparison to the header pipes. I wouldn't think even at 2" there would be any kind of issue, especially once you are moving and the air flow drags the heat off the mufflers and the cases as you ride...
To be honest I’m sure they’ll be ok when moving due to the cooling effect of the flowing air, my concern was more about when stuck n traffic. I think they’ll be fine but just wanted another opinion.

Dave
 
I have the rack and the 'Junior' cases. I have peashooters. It's an 850 mk3, don't know if that affects the angle or height of the silencer at all. I have had no heat problems.

I'm not a fan of how the bike looks when im not using the luggage, but I found the lower front bolts were a pig removing and re-fixing the frame. Especially on the left side. One minor change I made, is to put the bottom luggage frame fixing bolts each side, in the other way round to how they were originally. That way I don't have to remove anything to take the frame off. Just undo, slide the bolt enough and ease the luggage frame off. 5 minute job.

Badly explained. I remember doing it, but can't picture it and am not near the garage right now.
 
Not specific to your use but I have used Chase Harper soft bags that have a hard plastic insert in the bottom. They go on my 850 MKIII with pea shooters. I have not had problems though the right bag insert is bent in the shape of a muffler. No scorch marks though.
 
To be honest I’m sure they’ll be ok when moving due to the cooling effect of the flowing air, my concern was more about when stuck n traffic. I think they’ll be fine but just wanted another opinion.

Dave
Dave,
I don’t think you will have any problems with the 2”clearance you have. I have used my soft bags with less than that many times with no problems.
Mike
 
Dave,
I don’t think you will have any problems with the 2”clearance you have. I have used my soft bags with less than that many times with no problems.
Mike
Thanks Mike, that’s what I thought but as I’ve melted a pannier before I thought it best to ask.

Dave
 
That’s what I was thinking but as with all things the experience of people who have used them is usually more useful. I bought them with the intention of doing some touring on the Commando but with time restraints and our holidays tending to be in Europe I’ve used the KTM. Plus they are useless for a pillion hence my footpeg modification. I’ve used the rack with a bag on the back for weekends away. The reason they are about to get used is we’re having a week in Scotland this June and it seemed an ideal opportunity to take the Norton.

If I don’t get any info on here I will drop AN a note.

Dave

I fitted a couple of alloy deflector plates on the bottom of a pair of givi panniers that were close to the peashooters, they were mounted on the rack you got from me, just figured better safe than sorry.
 
I fitted a couple of alloy deflector plates on the bottom of a pair of givi panniers that were close to the peashooters, they were mounted on the rack you got from me, just figured better safe than sorry.
Hi Sam,

And that was what started me thinking 👍

Dave
 
I have read on the Hepco website a minimum of 50mm , 2 in should be ok .
 
Hey, you're going to Scotland, don't worry about too much heat ...

But seriously, I've done thousands of miles with my Sigma hard cases less than two inches from some Dunstall silencers, and they weren't affected at all. The bike got so hot in the heavy traffic going into St Tropez that I fitted an oil cooler the following year to keep the engine temperature down, but never even thought about the panniers, and they are still fine 40 years later.
 
I've been to Italy, Norway, The Czech Republick, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Scotland etc with these Hepco & Becker panniers fitted as in the picture, without any problems. It's a great piece of kit.

I do have the silencer mounting plates for interstate fitting which may move the silencer a couple of cm further rearwards giving a hint more clearance?

Hepco and Becker Panniers - A question for those using them.

I've also ridden in +32*C like this without problems.

My panniers are the H&B Journey Case 42Litre.
 
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I have the HB cases on my Commando with the Norton racks. No issues at all, fitment-wise. Grand Tetons on the way to the 2023 Norton Rally
Hepco and Becker Panniers - A question for those using them.
 
I have the HB cases on my Commando with the Norton racks. No issues at all, fitment-wise. Grand Tetons on the way to the 2023 Norton RallyView attachment 113629
I remember seeing that bike at the rally but I didn't get a chance to talk to you. How did you work out the rear brake master with the rear sets? Any photos?
 
Thanks Reggie and Milfordite just the info I was after.

Dave
 
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