Who needs a Restoration Project? Madden Mountain Panniers / Kangaroo Bag Panniers

[Cyclofiend Jim]

Digging through boxes in my garage and unearthed three sets of panniers from the late 80's/early 90's. They all have noticeable "stored nylon" funk (an "olfactory adventure"?) and all of the strap tie-down guides have degraded and failed. (If they had just spent the extra $'s and used a non-rubber part....) 

I've sprayed them all with some defunk enzymatic and hung them in the sun for a day or two. They aren't going to cause gagging, but they aren't exactly odor-free. If I were going to do the restoration, I'd put them into a nice large washing machine and run them through, then hang them in the sun for a bit. A little borax in the laundry, perhaps...

However, before I did that, I'd want to pick off all the strap guide remnants which have degraded. They were rubber and have completely dried out in the (mumble-mumble) years since I bought them (Ok... bought these back in the 1980s...). When I started airing them out, chunks fell away from each one. They are toast. 

I'd probably look for a sail bag maker or a friend who has a commercial sewing machine, cut some thick leather in the shape of the strap guides and sew them in place. They will probably work without the guides, but it would be a better fix.

If you have read this far, then you know the quality of the old Madden Mountain Panniers and first generation Kangaroo Bags. This was seriously overbuilt gear. I had to resign them to landfill. 

I have a bunch of detailed images which I took yesterday.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, take a look at the images. The Madden Mountain pannier sets snap together when off the bike. The Kangaroo Bags have nicely overlapping top covers. and a cinchable top to the compartment. All zippers and snaps seem to be in great shape. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jKrRmJA5cQxMThF99

I used these a few times, but they never got the miles they deserved. If you want to take this on, I really just want to cover shipping to your location. As I said, I just don't want to toss them into landfill. They are in good shape, except for the funk and the failed strap guides. 

So, if you want to take on stewardship of this project, message me directly. Pickup available if you are in the general SF Bay Area. 

Thanks for considering this!

Jim

[Cyclofiend Jim]

Note: that should have been "...I'd _hate_ to resign them to a landfill..."

[Jeremy Rossen]

Hi Jim,

I would cover the shipping to the boston area, and give the bags some love and finish this project!

let me know,

Jeremy

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[Cyclofiend Jim]

Kangaroo Bags are spoken for. 
Madden Bags are available still. 

[Cyclofiend Jim]

Madden Bags have a project manager.... 

[Cyclofiend Jim]

All bags have been spoken for - thanks to all who reached out. May these be back on the roads and trails in the near future under the guidance of their new stewards!