Doobage and his Cookie Sheet

[Doobage]

They said it couldn't be done....

Then they said it shouldn't be done....

Alas, it was done. And those that looked upon it pointed and laughed. But Doobage was not deterred by this ridicule. He rode on...proudly.

About the "cookie sheet". As some of you may have read on previous posts, I had a need for something to allow me to transport my bass guitar case. After a great deal of contemplation and suggestions from STowners, I decided to have one made. In talking with engineers, I was told that 1/8 inch 6,000 series aluminum would be strong enough. Before I knew it, a friend of a friend had some of that laying around and cut a 2.5 ft X 1.5 ft. sheet out. Rounded the edges and using a silver dollar as his guide - cut the corners. This removed all sharp edges from the sheet of aluminum.

I then managed to draw the required holes, tapped them, and drilled them without screwing up (I seem to have a talent for messing up when cutting/drilling). But I measured and re-measured and got it right. Since the plate added some thickness to the rear of the bike, I had to run to the hardware store to pick up some 6mm bolts for the cost of a $1.19.

I then drilled some holes for my Bungee cords and tested my bass case on the bike, which worked flawlessly. The bass case sticks out about 6 inches farther on either side of the bike (beyond the mirrors), so I have to be a little more conscience of my width, but if somebody is within 6 inches of my mirror, I think I have bigger problems than worrying about the width of my bike.

I used it recently to go camping on my first group ride. But my "cookie sheet" held true and rode well upto fast speeds.

I work at NASA and once a year we have "Safety and Total Health Day", in which we take out about half the day to do additional safety training, but also draw attention to other aspects of safety that is beyond the typical job environment. I got roped into doing the "Off the Job Safety" group, which tries to help people understand how to be safe away from work. This year, we did several things, one of which was Motorcycle Awareness. We wrote the DPS office and a local MSF company and they both provided some handouts. Along with that, all of us brought our bikes into the area between the buildings where our booths were setup. We were well represented with a Venture, ST (mine), FJR, Cruiser, Goldwing, Elite (moped), Triumph Bonneville, an electric scooter (like a Razor but bigger). The only missing type was a Sport bike.

With 800 people walking around, eating pizza (yeah, that's "healthy"), and nowhere to sit, or set their things down, I succeeded in putting down their mockery...I give to you, my people of the ST world, Fellow STowners....Doobages' Cookie Sheet....

[Medicine Bear]

Ah, Doobage, if only...

If only there had been smiley faces on those cookies..... :D

Seriously, thanks for the article and for making the ST just s little bit closer to an all purpose machine.

Now, if I could just learn to play my bass, I could take it anywhere.

Fred :03biker:

[sherob]

Oh man... a perfect tray for Sonic :) That's sweet ;)

[Mark]

Doobage!

You ought to glue that assortment on and ride with it on there all the time!!! :D

Mark

[sherob]

Doobage!

You ought to glue that assortment on and ride with it on there all the time!!! :D

Mark

You could get the plastic fake food even :rolleyes:

[jackpine savage]

How about a picture with the bass strapped down? I'd like to see how you carry it.

Also I'll have you know that your $1.19 addition will not get you into the ST farkle hall of fame. It's way too inexpensive and practical. :)
David

[sherob]

Also I'll have you know that your $1.19 addition will not get you into the ST farkle hall of fame. It's way too inexpensive and practical. :)
David

ROFL! Hey Doob... you should have used the $2.99 Teflon sheet... LOL!!! Let's see the axe on the thing! ;)

[Doobage]

Okay, okay, I'll get off my butt and try and take a picture of it attached. Tonight might be a good night for it since my wife and I are getting dressed up for a Halloween party.

As for the Farkle Hall of Fame, I'd have to say it's probably closest to the cheapest-yet-largest-and-most-ugly Farkle added to an ST. I have thrown down the gauntlet and challenged you all to add something cheaper-bigger-and-more-ugly!

I've been trying to contemplate what silly things I can add to it while it's acting as an air-foil (unloaded).

Medicine Bear...if you own a bass and want to learn, I'd be happy to come over (or have you over) and perhaps point you in the right direction.

[sherob]

I have thrown down the gauntlet and challenged you all to add something cheaper-bigger-and-more-ugly!


Now you've done it... hmmmmmmm :rolleyes:

[jgilmore]

Nothing better than the marriage of two things you love (I assume you love riding your ST and playing the guitar).

Now if I could just figure out how to haul my dirt bike on my ST.... please pose that problem to your mechanical engineering buddies.

-john

[Doobage]

John, one potentially serious solution for bringing a bike in tow would be to create a trailer based on the Uni-go frame. It should not diminish the ride of your ST since the hinge for the trailer is like a universal joint.

However, if you are looking for a cross breed bike, I would consider looking at the BMW GS1200 (or is it 1150). Neil Peart, drummer of Rush, wrote a book "Ghost Rider" about his travels after tragedy struck his family. He rode 55,000 miles across the Americas and it reads like a travel journal mixed with a method of healing from such traumatic loss. While the BMW GS isn't necessarily going to take you over the whoop-de-do's at high speed, it looks like it can handle some of the rougher roads better than the ST.

But I think crossing Street and Dirt bikes is still beyond the capability of cost/technology. Perhaps the future will present us with tires that change shape to better adapt to the riding enviroment "they" perceive, for $50 a tire.

Until then, ride your street bike and then your dirt bike and work on making rubber "smart".

[seiseman]

Tailgate!!!

Steve E :03biker:

[Doobage]

The first couple of images show my bass case and the ST. Not exactly a compatible duo.

The 3rd picture shows my "cookie sheet" in standby mode with the bungee's criss crossed.

The next picture shows the yellow cords that hold the side to side movement and then the next picture shows the red cords over the case front to back. With this configuration I've had it up to 70i, and never had it budge.

The second to last picture shows the bass on how much it hangs out beyond the mirror (my battery was starting to die, so there is a digital line streaking on the photo).

And the last picture is to prove that it's really a bass guitar and not a sniper rifle. I added a little bit of foam underneath the neck to help mitigate some of the vibration and provide some stability.

[sherob]

Cool... don't go to fast or... Houston, we have a problem :eek: Silver... Silver, I thought you had the pretty :biker: :eek:

[Doobage]

Yeah, going over 70i would be unwise. I tested it at that speed since that is the max I'd go between here and the studio. I was concerned that I'd get ocsillation, but it holds it's form, even under load. But hopefully I can do a long trip with my bass and that will require some additional stuff and more tie downs.

Oh, and it was the 05, I just painted it silver because, well, you know...

Just kidding it's really an 03.

[Tor]

Man, that is a sweet farkle. Only minus as far as I can see is "no lane-splitting".Thanks for sharing.

[sherob]

Well now I know what I'm looking for when I'm in your neck of the woods ;) A Silver rear wing ST :D

[Medicine Bear]

Medicine Bear...if you own a bass and want to learn, I'd be happy to come over (or have you over) and perhaps point you in the right direction.

Oh man, I'll take you up on that. Got all the stuff but can't find a class where the teacher is as enthusiastic about bass as I am!

Where are you?

Fred :03biker:

[nurseBob]

Well now I know what I'm looking for when I'm in your neck of the woods ;) A Silver rear wing ST :D
You know, if Doobage angled it correcly, I'm sure it would work like those "way cool" spoilers I see on all the Accuras...:D

[basco]

I wouldn't lane-split with the guitar on. :-D

[Doobage]

Actually, I'm not comfortable with lane splitting at all. In Houston it seems customary to randomly change lanes regardless of speed. I think the only time I'd make an exception is during a traffic jam hurricane evacuation. But since I won't be on my bike, it probably won't matter.

M-Bear...I'll PM you with a rough idea of where I am. Probably about a 1.5 hour drive, but my brother lives up in your neck of the woods, so I can always make it a two-fer'-one deal when I stop by up there.

And you are always welcome to come down here anytime (I have two basses so it'd give you a good excuse to ride).

[Bones]

Doobage, that's a great farkle. Do you also play upright bass? ;)

[Doobage]

LOL Bones...Why, yes - yes I do. Fortunately I don't own one. Otherwise I'd probably have to get a Gold Wing! :O

[Bones]

Doobage, I played in the band in high school (going back a quarter century here) and once I had to pick up a fellow bando on the way to play a concert. Turns out he had to get his bass to the auditorium and I show up in a '72 Mercury Capri. It took some load engineering, but with the neck sticking out sunroof we got his bass and both of us to the show. Hold off on the Wing for now...electric bass is nice. You could always put an acoustic bass guitar on the now famous cookie sheet.

[sherob]

Well... would that make the farkle loaded "sheet music"? :confused:

[CruisingDog]

Doobage is trying to get a blues bike like what mine is! ;-)

Either that or he just wants to be in tune with the traffic on his ride to the next gig!

Maybe he's just stringing us along...

:-)

[crazykz]

I like the setup. Aren't you worried about the bolt heads eating a hole in your case or do you put something under there to keep from damaging the case?

I'm hoping I can convince a local company to make a plate for the tail this winter.

Curt

[Doobage]

I was concerned that the bolts might eat the case (not that I care too much about the case). I was prepared to throw a mouse pad between the case and the bolts, but I haven't noticed any wear patterns yet, so if it is doing that, it's neglible.

what I'd like to find are bolts that are similar to our plastic bolt-thingies by our knees on the ST (the little cover plates). A punch in bolt to release the plate would be very handy, if I could find one that is metal and strong enough to handle whatever load I put on it. Anybody know if they make a metal version of those bolt-punch-thingies?

Bones...LMAO! That would be a sight to behold...did your friend have to ride on the outside of the car? Load engineering...I love it.

And you pun-meisters just watch yourself :P

[maxib]

That is freaking incredible! I admire your ingenuity, and I hope it works well for you for many miles to come.

As I earned my living playing bass and 6 string (60/40%) many years ago, I know all about the logistics of equipment transportation problems that may occur. (Insert green big grin smilie here)

I assume you don't have to transport an amp?

(insert thumbs up smilie here)

[crazykz]

If you have a countered sink bit I have used stainless steel counter sink bolts that tighten with an allen wrench. I don't know if they would work in your application but it might be a way to get a flush fit. If the plate isn't thick enough just put some large washers underneath to get the depth needed for the countersink. Just an idea and maybe it's more work than it's worth if what you got works. I tend to get anal about that stuff but if I could make it perfectly flat I would never have to worry about it ever and could put anything there at any time without having to worry about the bolts heads rubbing through.

Curt


I was concerned that the bolts might eat the case (not that I care too much about the case). I was prepared to throw a mouse pad between the case and the bolts, but I haven't noticed any wear patterns yet, so if it is doing that, it's neglible.

what I'd like to find are bolts that are similar to our plastic bolt-thingies by our knees on the ST (the little cover plates). A punch in bolt to release the plate would be very handy, if I could find one that is metal and strong enough to handle whatever load I put on it. Anybody know if they make a metal version of those bolt-punch-thingies?

Bones...LMAO! That would be a sight to behold...did your friend have to ride on the outside of the car? Load engineering...I love it.

And you pun-meisters just watch yourself :P

[MidLife]

Hey Doob,

Hope you don’t mind a few comments

Aren’t there safety issues with the cookie plate design as it is?

--- The sharp corners look scary. You could hurt yourself or somebody else even while the bike is stationary. Easy to fix.

--- If you go on a skid, you on the ground and the bike coming at you, your invention could suddenly look like a knife.

--- The box should also be positioned against vertical brackets in front of it on the alu sheet. If you ever hit something, there is good chance the bungees alone will not do much to prevent the bass case to come out flying. It will hit the backrest and pivot around it.

--- Tie down straps would be better than bungees.

--- If you get in a tight spot, your mirrors can pop off, but the plate now becomes your widest spot, not retractable or foldable.

Sorry for poking at you. But somebody has to do it!

[Blackdog]

I've alway wondered if rocket scientists could bake cookies. Thanks for clearing that up for me. LOL! Have you considered pulling a generator in a Uni-go to run a microwave(when the bass aka "Flying Wing Thing" is at home) so you could have hot chocolate with your cookies?
Billy
PS Well done!

[Doobage]

Maxlib, fortunately I don't have to haul my amps. I plug into a pre-amp that's already affixed in the studio. In previous discussions, it was considered and suggested that I wear the bass in a soft gig bag. I didn't like the idea of the neck sticking up into the wind, which would probably only detune it and I didn't want to worry about it shifting around on me or forgetting I'm wearing it and smacking the head into a door jam, etc... And kudos to you for having the balls to make a living at it. I have had the opportunity present itself twice but opted for the safer road. I don't have any regrets since I still get to play and recording is much more fun than gigging - for me.

Crazykz - It's not really thick enough for countersinks, but thanks. I think if I had done a 1/4 inch plate, it would be enough for countersinks. That would be my preference for the future, but since this was free and doesn't appear to be at any risk for the weight-to-stress loads I'm putting on it, I'll just call it version one until I can make a better one. I can have a custom one cut for me for $150 and powder coated black....but I'll wait until I have expendible cash. I think I want to mod my 03 to have the fancy electric windshield first.

Midlife - no offense at all, what doesn't kill me, uh, well...just irratates me until I fix it. :) To answer some of your concerns...

Edges and corners were rounded...That was a concern for me since not only is my crotch at that level, but I also have a 7 year old that could easily grab the "plate" while it's parked. So anything machined needs to be safe.

At high speed and having it slide at me, I think I'd be concerned. Not so much for the plate that might slice me, but more about the 700 lbs. of bike following it. I suspect that if one tried "really" hard, they could rip it off the bike. So unless it hits "dead-on" (pun intended) then it will probably rip the aluminum.

I like the idea of using L-brackets for front and back. It would give me a better since of "locked-in". I would also be able to use a bar across the top of the case (perhaps with a hinge on the front L bracket so that all I have to do is close it down like a trunk. Then maybe use slider L brackets for the left and right sides to keep it from sliding left to right).

Tie downs are always a good investment. My "second" original plan was to cut slots in the aluminum it which to feed a strap through. But between having a lack of communication from the "friend of a friend" and the fact that I had bungees lying around, I tested it and it worked (for my bass). Soft objects, such as my sleeping bag didn't do so well with the bungees as the vibrations and slick covers allowed for slippage. I think I'm going to need to create several adaptations for the major catagories of trunk loads and I'm sure tie-downs will need to play an active role. Thanks for the reminder!

As for the width, fortunately the plate by itself is the same width as the saddlebags. So anything hitting the bags will also grab the plate (and vice-versa). The bass hanging over the edge beyond that is certainly undesireable, but not unacceptable, since it's not a significant protrusion and anybody that is driving in that "space" is WAY too close anyway. I might lose a few inches for those especially close calls, but it's all the more reason to pick routes that contain less "interaction" where possible. The original plan was to have the bass sitting length wise, as it was in the first picture, sitting from the back seat, straight back. This would have required tall L brackets and cross winds would have a higher impact. Today in fairly good cross winds at 65, with the bass attached it didn't really have more impact that without it. So I'm gaining some confidence that it is safe for "normal" driving conditions.

I sincerely appreciate the review of the design aspects and hope to make improvements from everyones comments.

Blackdog...A uni-go with a generator and microwave oven....Hmmmmm. I think you're on something...I mean "onto" something. LOL. A uni-go is certainly on my list of desired farkles (if you can even call a trailer a farkle). But the cookie-sheet seems to be capable of some fairly decent load. Although I don't think I'd haul more than 40 lbs. on it - simply because of balance and stress at higher speeds.

This board rocks. Thanks again Mellow and RC.