Category: Canvas Bags

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Solar Panel Bag

Customer: “I was wondering whether you would be able to make a bag/cover for a folding solar panel I use when I am travelling. I was thinking about getting it made out of similar material to a horse rug, canvas outer with a heavy felt liner to protect the panel from damage when it is bouncing around in the back of my van. The panel is about 700x1000mm and about 50mm thick.”

Naz: “I would do that like the firepit bags I have been doing lately, although bigger. Just a flat bag with velcro across the top and handles that are stitched all the way around. The bag would be a bit larger in dimension to allow for the 50mm thickness. I have attached a photo of one of the fire pit bags. I can line it with horse rug wool fabric.”

23/05/22: These are soon to be a product for sale on the website as we have been doing a lot as custom orders. They are costing about $150 – $250 dependent on size and we have sourced a recycled wool lining. Please contact us for orders.

Solar panel bags are now available on the website.

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Custom Canvas Panniers

This last week has been custom and new product week. Often a custom order turns into a new product that I have been considering for a while. One I have finished today is the second set of our new Big Fella Panniers. This set has pockets for water bottle on the back of each and has one side narrower than the other. They also called for a longer throw-over strap which I will keep in future sets. It will now cover a 600mm distance between bags. The finalised template for these large 25 – 35 litre panniers is now done, which mean it won’t feel like reinventing the wheel every time.

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Canvas Care

Canvas care notes below.

Also:

  • If there are complementary strips of double sided hook and loop included in your order they are removable ones to assist in securing your item, if needed.

  • Please ensure that you secure your luggage well. The panniers have tie down points to use. Because they are called throw-over panniers does not mean they don’t need securing.

  • Canvas is not heat proof so please be careful of where you place your luggage in relation to your exhaust system.

Canvas Care Instructions

To help maximise the durability and life of your defab® Canvas, please follow the following instructions

thoroughly – this will allow you to enjoy many years of excellent service and satisfaction from your defab®

canvas.

• Prior to using your defab® canvas we recommend that you thoroughly wet your canvas with a domestic hose

and let it dry fully in the sun. This is necessary to allow the fabric to settle after transport and packaging.

Failure to do this may cause leakage in initial exposure to rain.

• Store, pack or roll up only when clean and dry.

• To remove dirt, brush dry fabric with soft brush. (An occasional hosing may remove dust and some

ingrained dirt)

• Never scrub the fabric.

• Do not expose to petrol or oil.

• Immediately remove deposits of organic matter (such as soil, grass cuttings, leaf litter, bird droppings,

vehicle exhaust, pollutants, etc)

• Remove any mildew, as it appears, first by brushing, then by treating with diluted chlorine bleach (typically

1 part White King to 4 parts water to achieve 1% available chlorine) Allow to dry in full sun, then hose well to

remove any residue.

• Do not use strong bleaches such as ‘pool chlorine’.

• Do not use soaps, detergents, solvents, or other liquid cleaners.

Exposure to the elements and excessive cleaning may affect the water proofness and appearance of the

canvas. Occasional rejuvenation of your canvas is recommended. Additional proofing may help re-invigorate

the canvas. Only use one type of proofing agent on your canvas. Fluoro-chemicals like Scotch guard may be

used on all fabrics. Only reproof® by defab® is recommended to be used on defab® canvas.

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Motorcycle Pudding

The Motorcycle Pudding has been travelling to motorcycle rallies since the 70’s. It is used as a tool to raise funds for the Flying Doctors. Here is the story.

I have been babysitting the Pudding since the New Year and waiting for someone who can take it to the Border Rally later in the year. In the meantime I took it along to a rally at Handlebar Haven in Kilkivan. It is a great spot ran by friends of mine: Annie and Jock. At the rally the Pudding got to meet Scott Britnell, who is racing in the next Dakar.

I also donated $2 for each motorcycle tool roll sold while I had it here. Plus I made it new clothes to celebrate it’s birthday.

As you can see the Pudding is encased in resin to protect it. I think it is so that some traveller doesn’t get hungry! A diary accompanies the Pudding so that the carrier than make any notes. Someone is about to come and take it off my hands and so it’s journey continues.