Vario Pannier and the unusable space..

[orsolomeo]

I was wondering if anybody found any smart way (or just a 'way') to use the space in the Vario pannier above the exhaust.
It is not buch but still it would be great to store a few tools or other stuff in there..

[t6pilot]

Left side vario kinda useless in the collapsed mode, I try to always ride with both sides collapsed, pack lite?
With case collapsed I use a rok strap between the expanding arm to hold stuff in
Left side used for quart of oil,spare air can, tire repair kit/pump, first aid kit(large) lastly rain gear is rolled and placed at top of bag
Generally all the junk seldom used ends up in left case
Suggest when opening left case bike be on center stand

[marc]

Way back when someone figured out how to attach some velcro loops and used them to hold stuff up high in the little bit of space available. Don't recall who did it or how they did the job.

[noelm]

Something like this? No modifications to the case so that it can be returned to original if required. In this instance, the way the shelf has been built and attached, the case is in the non-expanded position. The bronze coloured item with the blue pad and red tape under the shelf is a tyre bead breaker.

[orsolomeo]

Thats a cool one! really ingenious!!!!!!

[AdamWebber]

Somewhere along the line I saw a GS with lowered exhaust and a full-size vario pannier on the left. I must admit that the lowered exhaust was ugly but the increased capacity of the left pannier made the change worth while. I don't know all of the specs or how they came about doing the modification but I don't expect it to be too difficult.

As far as what I use it for when I travel:
Med kit, oil, small snacks, extra gloves. I can fit a whole cooler of food in the right one and I don't even need to expand it.