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I thought the 357's would have come with brackets. When I bought the 044 they were in the box. I guess the shorter hose is the difference, keeping them from fitting?
Yeah, these came with a couple angle iron brackets and several plastic curved brackets as well as some hose clamps to strap them down. But as mentioned, they mount to the down tube of your saddlebag bracket so theyre hidden behind the bags. For me thats like having a tattoo someplace where no one ever sees it. As much as these shocks cost and as nice as the reservoirs look, I dont feel like hiding them.
Heres a couple samples of what Im talking about .. I personally prefer to have them sitting closer to the bike rather than having them sit way up high. Not saying the taller look is bad just saying I like them tucked better. (Like the first picture) the brackets in the 2nd two pics are Carbon Visionary. Theyre $555.00 which is a little more than Im willing to spend. Krause makes a similar set that arent carbon fiber and those are about $460. My buddy is making me some for free, so its a no brainer for me.
Just got back from a 3k mile trip. Souther Cali to Washington, Idaho, montana, Wyoming, then Sturgis. Twisty roads up the coast, mountains, mud, long stretches of straight highway and everything between. Everything performed perfectly. More proof you dont need anything fancy, just get out and ride em.
Arlen Ness Mids? How do you like them for touring? What's your height/inseam?
Yeah, these came with a couple angle iron brackets and several plastic curved brackets as well as some hose clamps to strap them down. But as mentioned, they mount to the down tube of your saddlebag bracket so theyre hidden behind the bags. For me thats like having a tattoo someplace where no one ever sees it. As much as these shocks cost and as nice as the reservoirs look, I dont feel like hiding them.
Heres a couple samples of what Im talking about .. I personally prefer to have them sitting closer to the bike rather than having them sit way up high. Not saying the taller look is bad just saying I like them tucked better. (Like the first picture) the brackets in the 2nd two pics are Carbon Visionary. Theyre $555.00 which is a little more than Im willing to spend. Krause makes a similar set that arent carbon fiber and those are about $460. My buddy is making me some for free, so its a no brainer for me.
I 100% understand, we pay for the bling, we want to show it off. Mine are out for the world to see. At the show I was in on Saturday, I have several people ask me what they were lol.
I just thought Ohlins would have included the brackets to hang them in the open, not just the L brackets to hide them. With my 044, the brackets to hang them out were in the box. You having them made for Free 99 is definitely a no brainer.
I 100% understand, we pay for the bling, we want to show it off. Mine are out for the world to see. At the show I was in on Saturday, I have several people ask me what they were lol.
I just thought Ohlins would have included the brackets to hang them in the open, not just the L brackets to hide them. With my 044, the brackets to hang them out were in the box. You having them made for Free 99 is definitely a no brainer.
I've had multiple people ask me what they are. including one guy who rolled his window down at a stop light
I guess bc I'm used to this from back in my days when I had lifted trucks but to me it didn't seem so unique having a reservoir. I guess I forget a large majority of people aren't in to modifying their crap.
Arlen Ness Mids? How do you like them for touring? What's your height/inseam?
Yes. Love them. Hate boards, specifically the ridiculous brake angle and reach. I'm 5'7", about a 30" inseam. Middle of my foot is at the timing cover if that helps you imagine the placement.
I 100% understand, we pay for the bling, we want to show it off. Mine are out for the world to see. At the show I was in on Saturday, I have several people ask me what they were lol.
I just thought Ohlins would have included the brackets to hang them in the open, not just the L brackets to hide them. With my 044, the brackets to hang them out were in the box. You having them made for Free 99 is definitely a no brainer.
It was taking my buddy a while to get to the brackets, so I decided to just go buy some flat stock aluminum and fab up some myself. They may not have the same appeal as the $400 - $500 brackets out there, but I was able to get the reservoirs mounted exactly where I wanted them. As mentioned before, I personally didnt care for how high those other
brackets put them out there. Cost me 5 bucks for the aluminum strap and a couple hours worth of measuring, bending, and drilling.
The straight 90 put them too close to the bags. Measured the distance between the bracket & fender and split the difference. Put just enough bend in it to center the reservoir between the fender and saddlebag.
It was taking my buddy a while to get to the brackets, so I decided to just go buy some flat stock aluminum and fab up some myself.
Looks good. The bling of the reservoirs always stands out. I've had countless people at shows ask me what they were. You'll get attention with them and the brackets are doing the job.
the reservoirs always stand out. You'll get attention with them
Although the quote is "out of context"... I totally agree!
Which is the main reason that I made the personal choice to go with RWD piggy back res. shocks. I just didn't want the additional clutter from something else hanging off of my bike when it could be discreetly tucked away.
Those Ohlins stickers on the bags sure as hell "stand out" too!
It was my personal mission to completely debadge and remove all factory stickers from my current bike.
Even going as far as to only choose "upgraded" parts that do not have their manufacture's name or insignia on them.
Hell, I've even blacked out all the fasteners. Absolutely no chrome on this one either.
I don't doubt that others enjoy the "attention" that their add-ons bring. Personally I enjoy the occasional comment of how "clean" (not referring to well washed) my "No Bling Road King" (Special) appears.
Before the negative comments begin, I wish to make it clear that it's not my intention to disparage what others choose to do to their scooters. Some things just ain't my thing and I choose not to ride a "rolling billboard".
Many many moons ago, a well seasoned rider from way back once told me, "hey it's your bike, you get to f*ck it up any way you want."
...and so we do
Last edited by already in use; Oct 11, 2023 at 06:06 PM.
Although the quote is "out of context"... I totally agree!
Which is the main reason that I made the personal choice to go with RWD piggy back res. shocks. I just didn't want the additional clutter from something else hanging off of my bike when it could be discreetly tucked away.
Those Ohlins stickers on the bags sure as hell "stand out" too!
Before the negative comments begin, I wish to make it clear that it's not my intention to disparage what others choose to do to their scooters. Some things just ain't my thing.
Hey, youll get no negative comments from me bud. I completely agree with the old adage: To each their own. I appreciate all kinds of modifications that I personality wouldnt do to my bike. And I agree with you about the Ohlins stickers on the bags. It looks ridiculous on there now especially with the reservoirs hangin off the back.
Although I will be putting the small Ohlins stickers on the lower fork legs once I get the cartridges installed in the new extended gold fork tubes. Dont get me wrong, I can appreciate a stealth or sleeper style bagger. I actually have a friend who did the same thing as you. Our bikes are definitely an extension of our personalities. I guess the same could be said for some of my cars 😉
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