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@bravotwofour avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
 
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@bravotwofour avatar
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
UTC quote
Pictures follow the text.

Last year I picked up an AirMan Tour 60 12 volt air compressor, which I had mentioned in some other thread (that escapes me now) with the intent of posting a write-up on it. Finally finished what I wanted to do with it and found a little time to follow through.

This little air compressor apparently used to be known as an AirMan Sparrow; at least that was what I initially read when researching smallish portable compressors a year ago. Now known as the AirMan Tour 60, it's exactly the same based on pictures I have seen online. I read good things about it and decided to get one when I found one for an unbeatable price at aircompressorsdirect.com - $10 off and shipped free, so the total cost was less than $20 if I recall correctly. This was last August or so. I noted at the time that their site indicated the model was no longer going to be carried and these were the last of them available; indeed I don't see them on Amazon anymore now.

Considering the condition in which the compressor arrived I should have returned it. The shipping box was in fine shape but the product box inside was very smashed on one corner. Opening it up and inspecting it I could see nothing wrong with the pump itself - but I could hear some rattling inside, and clearly something was broken internally. I did not plug it in, deciding instead to just open it up and see what I could I could find - worst case, I damage it further and either return it or keep it and write it off.

What I found were several of the molded plastic bosses on the inside of the case were broken from the impact; the metal parts they held in place moved too much with whatever impact the unit had sustained. I was up to the challenge and proceeded to completely disassemble the unit and repair it with liberal application of epoxy. When I was done the unit worked quite well, and has held up ever since. I like the built in pressure gauge, which has proven to be accurate.

I had been intending to install the compressor under the seat on Loretta in the location where the charcoal canister had been secured - this a suggestion I think I first saw mentioned by rjeffb (he of UFP fame!). Once I was reasonably sure the compressor was well repaired and reliable, and I had a little time, I set out to get this done.

First thing I did was take the original canister mounting bracket and modify it by cutting off the canister holding extensions and grinding the cut metal smooth. I reworked the rubber strap mounting hooks to wrap around the larger size of the compressor, and I cut the D-rings from the canister retaining rubber strap. Using deft hammer and plier skills I banged the hook ends onto the D-rings, making a bracket that would retain the compressor with a strap. This worked out well but a bit odd in function since the original strap was wrapped around the canister at an angle - but it works well with the compressor.

When I removed the canister I had to plug the two holes in the bottom shell under the seat where the fuel tank vent and intake suction tubes were; for this I had used heavy rubber stoppers. This now had the nice side benefit of providing a cushion for the bottom of the compressor when secured in the bracket.

I had bought a length of 2" wide double-sided Velcro from strapworks.com just for this project. I cut it to fit the D-rings and secure the compressor to the bracket when wrapped in place. The Velcro holds securely and is easily removable when needed.

This was a relatively simple project. Many on bikes and scooters carry an air compressor with their toolkit, especially when touring, and I have found it to be a valuable addition myself. I think this turned out well. I always know where the thing is and it rides securely.


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Delivery damage

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And the first bits that fell out...

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When opened I see plenty of broken bits.

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This was all I could find - now to determine where they go!

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This big boss was easy to position and epoxy in place.

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Here is the repaired case, with extra epoxy reinforcement.

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The modified canister bracket, rear view.

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And front view.

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This is the velcro strap, cut to fit (sorry, kinda dark).

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The bracket installed under the seat. Rubber stoppers are evident right below it. With the flash the bracket looks silver!

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The air compressor in place.

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A closer view of the installation - completed!
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
great job
@rjeffb avatar
UTC

Bracketmeister
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
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Posts: 2519
Location: New Jersey
 
Bracketmeister
@rjeffb avatar
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
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UTC quote
Nice, although you definitely should have returned/complained when you found broken bits. How does the compressor work in action? Worth the trouble?

Is that a little flashlight in some sort of retainer I see in the tool sleeve?
OP
@bravotwofour avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
 
Ossessionato
@bravotwofour avatar
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
UTC quote
rjeffb wrote:
Nice, although you definitely should have returned/complained when you found broken bits. How does the compressor work in action? Worth the trouble?

Is that a little flashlight in some sort of retainer I see in the tool sleeve?
I thought about returning it but honestly that would have been worth more trouble than I figured I spent - by the time I make return arrangements, pack it, get it to shipping, pay to ship it... the repair effort was a good diversion and worked out fine. I did complain online and they posted it in the reviews of the product - which is of course gone now since they no longer sell this. C'est la vie.

The compressor works quite well, but noisy of course, and a bit bouncy. I am sure one could buy better (the one at cyclepump.com looks nice) but this was in hand and ready to go, and very inexpensive. Plus it's quite compact, with an easy to use valve attachment.

I have a small tactical LED flashlight inside the tool cup, and a little LED keychain light hanging there as well. No retainer, just dropped in the cup with the shock wrench and other stuff.
@corsader avatar
UTC

Hooked
2009 MP3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 122
Location: Medford, Oregon
 
Hooked
@corsader avatar
2009 MP3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 122
Location: Medford, Oregon
UTC quote
That looks great there, Roy. Doesn't croud the compartment much.


Chris
⬆️    About 2 years elapsed    ⬇️
@heinlein avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
MP3 500, Ducati ST4s, Honda Silver Wing
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Posts: 2649
Location: Roseburg, OR
 
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@heinlein avatar
MP3 500, Ducati ST4s, Honda Silver Wing
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2649
Location: Roseburg, OR
UTC quote
Re: Installed Airman Tour 60 Air Compressor In Canister Brac
BravoTwoFour wrote:
This little air compressor apparently used to be known as an AirMan Sparrow; at least that was what I initially read when researching smallish portable compressors a year ago. Now known as the AirMan Tour 60, it's exactly the same based on pictures I have seen online. I read good things about it and decided to get one when I found one for an unbeatable price at aircompressorsdirect.com - $10 off and shipped free, so the total cost was less than $20 if I recall correctly. This was last August or so. I noted at the time that their site indicated the model was no longer going to be carried and these were the last of them available; indeed I don't see them on Amazon anymore now.
I had read the good reviews and looked into getting one quite some time back; but couldn't find one. I don't know if they are back in production or if Sears is selling off the last of them. I just ordered one for $18.99 with free shipping to a Sears store and 25% off air tools purchased with a compressor.
@bubbajon avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
RIP: MP3 500 - Brutto Moto
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Posts: 5288
Location: Austin, TX
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@bubbajon avatar
RIP: MP3 500 - Brutto Moto
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5288
Location: Austin, TX
UTC quote
Re: Installed Airman Tour 60 Air Compressor In Canister Brac
heinlein wrote:
BravoTwoFour wrote:
This little air compressor apparently used to be known as an AirMan Sparrow; at least that was what I initially read when researching smallish portable compressors a year ago. Now known as the AirMan Tour 60, it's exactly the same based on pictures I have seen online. I read good things about it and decided to get one when I found one for an unbeatable price at aircompressorsdirect.com - $10 off and shipped free, so the total cost was less than $20 if I recall correctly. This was last August or so. I noted at the time that their site indicated the model was no longer going to be carried and these were the last of them available; indeed I don't see them on Amazon anymore now.
I had read the good reviews and looked into getting one quite some time back; but couldn't find one. I don't know if they are back in production or if Sears is selling off the last of them. I just ordered one for $18.99 with free shipping to a Sears store and 25% off air tools purchased with a compressor.
Isn't this the same compressor that Slime puts in their kit for about $25?
@heinlein avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
MP3 500, Ducati ST4s, Honda Silver Wing
Joined: UTC
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Location: Roseburg, OR
 
Ossessionato
@heinlein avatar
MP3 500, Ducati ST4s, Honda Silver Wing
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2649
Location: Roseburg, OR
UTC quote
Re: Installed Airman Tour 60 Air Compressor In Canister Brac
BubbaJon wrote:
heinlein wrote:
BravoTwoFour wrote:
This little air compressor apparently used to be known as an AirMan Sparrow; at least that was what I initially read when researching smallish portable compressors a year ago. Now known as the AirMan Tour 60, it's exactly the same based on pictures I have seen online. I read good things about it and decided to get one when I found one for an unbeatable price at aircompressorsdirect.com - $10 off and shipped free, so the total cost was less than $20 if I recall correctly. This was last August or so. I noted at the time that their site indicated the model was no longer going to be carried and these were the last of them available; indeed I don't see them on Amazon anymore now.
I had read the good reviews and looked into getting one quite some time back; but couldn't find one. I don't know if they are back in production or if Sears is selling off the last of them. I just ordered one for $18.99 with free shipping to a Sears store and 25% off air tools purchased with a compressor.
Isn't this the same compressor that Slime puts in their kit for about $25?
No this is the one that blew the slime one away in a webbikeworld comparison. http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-tire-air-pump/slime-pump-vs-airman-sparrow/
@rjeffb avatar
UTC

Bracketmeister
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
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Location: New Jersey
 
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@rjeffb avatar
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
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UTC quote
I have the Slimne compressor (mounted in the empty evap can location) and while it did not have all the probelsm mentioned in that article, it is noisy, cheaply made, and inconvenient. I would have much rather had the Sparrow, if only for the self-contained wiring and pressure guge.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
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@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 43357
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
However the USD12 Slime mini-compressor (part number 40020 - bought my ones at Pep-Boys)) has the same twist-on connector as the Airman and a gauge built in (though I use a separate one to check), and the requisite cigar-lighter connector and built-in light.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@rjeffb avatar
UTC

Bracketmeister
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
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@rjeffb avatar
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UTC quote
Noce. But does it fit into the evep can bracket? (Which I'm presuming you don't even have in order to try.)
@jimc avatar
UTC

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The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 43357
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
The pump itself is 11*9*4.5cm, only the electrical leads and container add to that.

The package inc. leads in its zip-up bag is 15*11*5cm.

All rounded up to nearest 0.5cm. Sorry, measuring instruments with inches are hard to find here.
⬆️    About 10 years elapsed    ⬇️
@mtoakey avatar
UTC

Florida Man
MP3 500 HPE Sport Advanced
Joined: UTC
Posts: 30
Location: Homestead, Florida
 
Florida Man
@mtoakey avatar
MP3 500 HPE Sport Advanced
Joined: UTC
Posts: 30
Location: Homestead, Florida
UTC quote
BravoTwoFour wrote:
This was a relatively simple project. Many on bikes and scooters carry an air compressor with their toolkit, especially when touring, and I have found it to be a valuable addition myself. I think this turned out well. I always know where the thing is and it rides securely.
Awesome Project and great idea too, I hate the "Photobucket" watermark, but love the pics !!!
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