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Multi-Vario Tank Bag Tops (Lid) - All The Same?

barron_williams

Monza Blue 1974 R90/6
I really like my Multi-Vario tank bag. Had the base leather replaced with sides that are 2" taller than stock about 10 years ago by the guy who used to advertise in the MOA news and did tank bag repairs (no longer in business); so, just about everything I need to carry fits without it being crammed full or having to use the expansion section.

Anyway, the top (lid?) part is pretty much worn out. I've done a couple of repairs, but it is getting bad.

I'm going to put out some "wanted" notes to see if I can find a top with some life left, but before I do, does anybody know whether the tops for multi-varios are all the same? I know the mounting base changed over the years, but the very top piece with the clear plastic map for the map and the little zipper pocket?

Barron
 
I really like my Multi-Vario tank bag. Had the base leather replaced with sides that are 2" taller than stock about 10 years ago by the guy who used to advertise in the MOA news and did tank bag repairs (no longer in business); so, just about everything I need to carry fits without it being crammed full or having to use the expansion section.

Anyway, the top (lid?) part is pretty much worn out. I've done a couple of repairs, but it is getting bad.

I'm going to put out some "wanted" notes to see if I can find a top with some life left, but before I do, does anybody know whether the tops for multi-varios are all the same? I know the mounting base changed over the years, but the very top piece with the clear plastic map for the map and the little zipper pocket?

Barron

Here's one I bought about a month ago - it has a clear "map pocket" top with a piece of Velcro to keep it closed:

I modified my LT to accept it - it was of course initially designed for my Airhead but works equally well on the LT.
 

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Yeah...

Thats the same one I have. I bought mine offa IBMR, a couple of months ago in absolutely mint condition including the rain cover and I paid $125 + Shipping. I thought that that was a great deal!

Finding a top section by itself might be hard, considering at thats the part that gets all of the wind and sun abuse but right now the bags are selling at what appear to be very reasonable prices.

Put a WTB ad here or on IBMR and see what happens..!
 
but before I do, does anybody know whether the tops for multi-varios are all the same? I know the mounting base changed over the years, but the very top piece with the clear plastic map for the map and the little zipper pocket?

Barron

No, they are not. It makes so much sense that the zipper for the tank bag should match all or most of the bases but, no, they don't. I really like multivario (if you cover them in the rain) but I have gotten a few eBay and other online purchases that don't quite work.
Be cautious.
 
While the size of the top sections may be identical, the zippers probably won't match, though it's possible you could find one that does. There were either different contractors that built the bags over the years, or the zipper suppliers changed, and the size or pitch of the zipper teeth were different.
DAMHIKIJK
 
No, they are not. It makes so much sense that the zipper for the tank bag should match all or most of the bases but, no, they don't. I really like multivario (if you cover them in the rain) but I have gotten a few eBay and other online purchases that don't quite work.
Be cautious.

FWIW, there's no branding on the zipper on mine. It is decent quality, but certainly not as good as a YKK - IMHO the BEST.:thumb
 
I acquired a mint condition tank bag from a '83 R100RT. Other than the hole for the gas tank filler, identical to my K's Multi-Vario tank bag, right down to the zippers, or so I thought. Tried to mount the newly acquired bag to the old Multi-Vario's base. Zippers looked the same but they would absolutely not zip together. You are most likely be better off replacing the whole bag rather than trying to find a matching top.
 
O Multivario.
I have a bag from a K bike on an R100 base that I only got to work because I was at the Pec swap meet and was able to try it out before I bought both pieces. the length of the zippers are different but they do zip. On the other hand I have bought bases and bags that were specifically made for R100 that do not mate at all, completely different zippers. I have set these aside to take to my local cobbler to see if they will replace the zippers for me and make them work. I have done a lot of business with the cobbler; new velcro and zippers on riding gear, new elastic straps on Multivarios, etc.
Which reminds me, pfinley, what did you decide on that multivario that you bought that you were going to use on your /6? Can I have it if you are not going to use it? For cash, i mean.
 
Barron,

if that's correct that you live in Heidelberg there's a company just a few miles away which may help you:

S. Meyer GmbH
Bahnhofstra?ƒe 22
67586 Hillesheim
GERMANY
Tel. 0049 (0) 6733 8195
E-Mail: S.Meyer-BMW-Motorraeder@t-online.de

I ordered a Vario tank bag from the last year for a R100GS but they do have them for other models, too.

Cheers,
Guenther
 
Thanks Ref: Multi-Vario Tank Bag Tops (Lid) - All The Same?

Thanks for the replies and ideas.

I should have thought about the zipper match challenge. I think I'm out of luck with replacing just the lid because when I had the bottom modified the original zipper was replaced with a YKK. Looks like I've got a unique set up.

Anyway, I'm kind of stuck on old faithful, so I'll keep up the patch work for a few more seasons. Regards, Barron

Here is the set up -
 

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Here's one I bought about a month ago - it has a clear "map pocket" top with a piece of Velcro to keep it closed:

I modified my LT to accept it - it was of course initially designed for my Airhead but works equally well on the LT.

Holy skyscraping tank bag, Batman! You are obviously not amongst the vertically challenged. The content of that rig must have an elevator. Third floor, going down...'ding' :stick
 
:laugh

I was thinking the same thing!

When I first got my Harro and my M Vario bags I tried stuffing them with newspaper to see how high they'd go and there was no way I'd ride anywhere with them full to the max! Too high and too weird looking for this kid!

So Barron, did you cut the bottom of you bag to accommodate the /6 lid? How did that work out? I have a spare/old base and I'm going to try that myself! :thumb

Heres mine with the Harro set to "low profile".

 
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