My current hydration system was a 1/2 gallon Igloo mounted to the clutch side passenger floor board. I usually mount it when doing longer trips and on my IBA rides. Overtime, I came to dislike a few things about it…

• It was becoming a pain to install and remove all the time.
• The process to install/remove was a pain in itself as I had to remove the mount from the floorboard, then remove the floorboard from the bike.
• It required the passenger floorboard to be down and found that I frequently hit my heel on it at stops (I am not accustomed to carrying passengers)
• I don't like to go inside the store when stopped for gas just to refill. I like to refill at the end of the day. 1/2 gallon wasn't enough water.
• Igloo wasn't well insulated and the ice didn't last long



I mounted the system to the clutch side of the bike as I figured that if I mounted it to the right side, heat would rise up from the engine and onto the Igloo when parked. Also if mounted on the clutch side, the bike would have more of a chance to cast some kind of shade onto the container when parked.

Mocking up a card board template of the new mount:


Testing template on the bike, holes are at a slight angle so water will accumulate to one side when low


Satisfied with the template and lots of measuring. I took the template down to a custom metal fab shop and had it fabricated. Here I am getting ready to lay out the mounting holes that will mount it to the bike and the holder to the mount.


After getting the holes drilled I had the mount powder coated


The new mount on the bike, a perfect fit.


The jug I will be using is a 1 Gallon RTIC with a quick disconnect siliconed into the top, bottom has a firm 'straw' that reaches to the bottom of the jug.


The quick disconnect seals when the male part is removed. No leakage. Also the RTIC jug captures the small lid on top, the Yeti has a magnetic mount that you just place the cap on when removed. I figured I'd loose that pretty quick if I went with the Yeti.


Everything mounted on the bike. RTIC jug slides into the holder that Yeti makes for their 1 gallon jug. The lock is just peace of mind that it won't bounce out, also found out later that because the jug is a little loose in the holder, it tends to spin around, this keeps it from doing it.


... and this is the finished system. I have about a thousand miles with it now and I am very happy with how it turned out. The system does not stick our further than the saddlebag. It's also high enough that in the case of a tip over, the saddlebag guard will hit ground before the hydration system does. I have a new hydration hose cover on my desk, it just didn't arrive in time for pictures.

 

You are a resourceful man.

 

Pretty neat. The Yeti should keep the water pretty cold as well. If not, I suppose one could utilize it for emptying a colostomy bag as well.

 

Great idea. I Lasky’s worry about dehydration and it is a particular problem it, like me, you ride with a full face helmet. I have not found a good solution.

 

Interesting to me that you've the hose insulated. I've ridden with a camelback knock-off, and the bladder becomes hot in the sun. The water in the tube would be cool from the air flowing past it. You'd take about three sips before hitting the hot water pulled from the bladder. So you learned to stop the moment you felt the heat, and let it cool for a few minutes in the tube.

Interesting looking bite valve. Is it a short 90 degree unit? That could be very nice with a chinbar. Straight bite valves are a little difficult with a helmet chinbar.

 

Nice design, I always appreciate seeing people fabing up their own solutions. I just use a small thermos as I find I need to take a leak every time I stop for gas anyways, so I just refill the water at that time. Also, I only use a 1/2 helmet.

 

My GPS has POI so I can find bars with beer

 

Do you have a urine depository on the other side?

 

That's part of the cooling! Catheter tube down the leg. Let it spray on the jug and help cool it through evaporation. It's all good, urine is sterile!

 

Carrying plenty of water is always a good idea, sitting on the shoulder because of a breakdown waiting for a tow in 90-100 degree heat without a tree in sight for shade could get pretty dicey without it.