Toolbox Upgrade Options?

[Soliminal]

I noticed there's a lot of extra room down where the stock toolbox is mounted, for a much larger toolbox - However, I've not had much luck finding any aftermarket toolbox replacement options for the CT125.

As we all know, the stock "tools" (screwdriver & mini fuse puller) that come with the stock toolbox is not very useful. I purchased the CruzTOOLS SKJAS SPEEDKIT from Amazon that's much more useful, and it just barely fits inside the stock toolbox with some effort. However, I'd like to add some additional small tools, tube of loctite, wrenches, etc. but the stock toolbox definitely wouldn't fit them all. Even if the toolbox were only an inch longer and wider, I think it would make a huge difference to the utility of the bike.

There's so much more available real estate down there, hope some of you guys were able to get creative with it or found a larger box that could work! Or if you have any ideas please let me know.

 

[Soliminal]

I swear every time I have a question, I immediately find an answer by @dmonkey in another thread! https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/mirror-extensions.553/

Looks like the Givi S250 tool box is a good option as mentioned: https://giviusa.com/products/s250-tool-box

 

[Kritou]

For less than $15 I found on eBay a camera bag whose closure goes up through and over the side of the rack - no siderack needed. Holds a 2L fuel can, wet weather gear and all the tools you need

 

[MisterB]

Ugh, so many tool box options. I'm happy enough with my 30 cal metal ammo can but it takes up valuable space in my precious milk crate.
Thinking about taking a chance on this "For BMW R1250GS tool box decorative Aluminum tool box 5 l for BMW side box brack" and a can of black spray paint.
Kinda looks like it would fit and could easily hold my assortment of bike-specific tools and a few other bits.
I'm all talk though, eBay listing doesn't show sizes so I'll probably chicken out and keep using the HF ammo can.

 

[Kev250R]

My Trail did not come to me with a tool box (PO removed it so he could mount something else there). I'm either going to replace it with an OEM box or may play around with one of those tractor manual tubes which are popular with some riders. I think I have one left-over from another project. I'd need to fab a mounting bracket but that's not a big deal. The more I think about it, the more I think that might be the route I go.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I've looked into this a little bit because I had an idea a while back related to the tractor tubes.

Something I was considering was the viability of designing a mount for a bicycle bottle cage to that spot, either with a double or triple bolt system. The OEM mount is 50mm apart, and bicycle cages are 64mm apart, but if you use a 3 bolt system then you can use some of the better, fancier mounts. I created a mock CAD model a while ago to see if anything would smack into each other when the bottle cage was held at 30° to the Honda toolbox tab (to give it clearance) and it seems like nothing will hit each other, so with some refinement machining a real product seems like a possibility. Part of this is I already have some of these cages for my other passion.

Two examples I gave some thought were:

• Anything cage - a 3 bolt system injection molded system designed to carry up to 6 lbs, and capable of holding 64 fl oz bottles, although for weight reasons I probably wouldn't use bigger than a 32 fl oz bottle.
• DOM Monkii cage - a 2 or 3 bolt system capable of taking round bottles with a quick release mechanism, Best with about a 20 fl oz bottle but I've personally tested up to a 32 fl oz Nalgene no problems. Similar to the Anything cage, but more available in some places at a better price.

Been using these for years now, no problems with ejection or failure. The idea, in case you haven't figured it out already, was to mount a fuel bottle there. Biggest question is how much weight they could take, but because of the relatively low strength of the toolbox mount tab and reports of it cracking, I didn't pursue this much past the prototyping stage.

 

[Kev250R]

I like the Bottle Cage idea but would be worried that whatever was in there would bounce-out on bumpy (off) road. Could work though.

This is my busy week with work so I don't have a lot of time to spend on this right now but earlier I took an old Tractor Manual Tube I'd used on another bike and tried it out on the Trail. I think with the right bracket this could work. Bonus that this particular Tractor Manual Tube will accommodate a large fuel canister.

If I have some time this weekend (not likely, I'm working and getting ready for a week-long ride in Utah) I'll fab-up some brackets and see if I can make it all work. My initial plan is to fab a bracket which will mount where the stock tool box did but will still allow me to attach the tube via long U-bolts (used them before when this tube was mounted on an ATV and was ridden aggressively in Moab and never had a problem with it moving). But we'll see how it all comes together. Here's a couple of pics:

 

[SneakyDingo]

I like the Bottle Cage idea but would be worried that whatever was in there would bounce-out on bumpy (off) road. Could work though.

If it can be shaken off, the bikepacking community has already tested that to death. The Salsa Anything cage is already on v3; v0 was a high quality steel (prototype, approved for manufacturing), v1 and v2 were both manufactured to the same specs using lower grade steel which resulted in cracking when pressure was applied from the outside (since discontinued but still in use), v3 has been in production for about 5 years now with no reports of failures even when overloaded. Things are usually attached with either Voile straps or velcro; you're more likely to break the bolts mounting the bottle cage than you are the cage itself, but it's a good habit to carry an extra Voile strap or two when you go out anyway. These luggage cages are STRONG because when they fail, they usually do it on some epic, well publicized event that can singlehandedly kill off the product with bad press.

I love that the Tractor tube fits the bottle though. Is that a 16 fl oz?

 

[Kev250R]

If it can be shaken off, the bikepacking community has already tested that to death. The Salsa Anything cage is already on v3; v0 was a high quality steel (prototype, approved for manufacturing), v1 and v2 were both manufactured to the same specs using lower grade steel which resulted in cracking when pressure was applied from the outside (since discontinued but still in use), v3 has been in production for about 5 years now with no reports of failures even when overloaded. Things are usually attached with either Voile straps or velcro; you're more likely to break the bolts mounting the bottle cage than you are the cage itself, but it's a good habit to carry an extra Voile strap or two when you go out anyway. These luggage cages are STRONG because when they fail, they usually do it on some epic, well publicized event that can singlehandedly kill off the product with bad press.

I love that the Tractor tube fits the bottle though. Is that a 16 fl oz?

That's good to know about the bike cage. I didn't mean to throw shade on your idea. Admittedly I don't know much about bikepacking and look-forward to learning more about it. I'm a big fan of mixing and matching parts and pieces to make whatever I need (I made part of the spare gas can mount for my TW out of an old traffic signal pole LOL!)

The bottle in the pic is 30oz. I've yet to have one of these leak, to the point where I sometimes just carry one in my backpack on long rides. For me I like the idea of adding a Tractor Tube to a Trail so that I'll have more options for carrying more things.

 

[Msfitoy]

I can't think of any use for this tiny box...maybe a bad idea for hiding registration papers if she got stolen lol...but I did relocate it when I added a small fuel reserve...vertical and fills out the area better...

 

[dmonkey]

I have that same setup. I'm half way across the country from my Trail right now, but I'm wondering if the fuel bottle pour nozzle might fit in the toolbox for safe keeping. I don't carry the pour nozzle on the bike because I carry a collapsible funnel in my rear rack mounted top case instead.

 

[Msfitoy]

I have that same setup. I'm half way across the country from my Trail right now, but I'm wondering if the fuel bottle pour nozzle might fit in the toolbox for safe keeping. I don't carry the pour nozzle on the bike because I carry

Same as mine? If so Ill check if nozzle fits in there later

 

[dmonkey]

The same shape fuel container at least. Thanks

Sonic-Crafty Sub Fuel Tank Kit on Takegawa Helmet Holder Rack

Sonic-Crafty Sub Tank Kit: https://japan.webike.net/products/24611811.html Takegawa Helmet Holder: https://japan.webike.net/products/24294489.html With the range on this bike it's easy enough for me to plan gas stops, but it's also nice to not have to go out of the way for gas, and to have some...

hondatrail125.com

 

[m in sc]

i have a 'manual tube' and a quick release fire extinguisher mount to mount it with i eventually plan to mount somewhere on there.

 

[SneakyDingo]

That's good to know about the bike cage. I didn't mean to throw shade on your idea. Admittedly I don't know much about bikepacking and look-forward to learning more about it. I'm a big fan of mixing and matching parts and pieces to make whatever I need (I made part of the spare gas can mount for my TW out of an old traffic signal pole LOL!)

The bottle in the pic is 30oz. I've yet to have one of these leak, to the point where I sometimes just carry one in my backpack on long rides. For me I like the idea of adding a Tractor Tube to a Trail so that I'll have more options for carrying more things.

Nah, by all means be critical, those questions make me think and refine my ideas. I wouldn't try half of them if I hadn't already looked at them from multiple angles. I'm educated and experienced, not infallible

 

[Msfitoy]

The same shape fuel container at least. Thanks

Sonic-Crafty Sub Fuel Tank Kit on Takegawa Helmet Holder Rack

Sonic-Crafty Sub Tank Kit: https://japan.webike.net/products/24611811.html Takegawa Helmet Holder: https://japan.webike.net/products/24294489.html With the range on this bike it's easy enough for me to plan gas stops, but it's also nice to not have to go out of the way for gas, and to have some...

hondatrail125.com

The nozzle and the tool kit both fit inside...cool

 

[Kev250R]

I'm educated and experienced, not infallible

That one line sums me up as well! I know what works but am always open to new ideas