KITTY litter pannier!

a more permanent version of a traditional kitty litter pannier for bicycles. especially suited for those who don't want their hard work jacked.

just a few notes:
-this will show you how to make one pannier--for two, pretty much do this twice (i like one permanent hard pannier and another detachable cloth one)

-there are two parts to these instructions, standard and highly recommended (yet optional) reinforcements for the bottom of the bucket

Step 1: Ingredients: things you will (undoubtedly) need.

excluding the price of the bike, rear rack (~ $26), kitty litter bucket (my cats poop a lot), plywood (everyone has some lying around somewhere OR you can get some from the trash near a lumber store or construction site) and tools, this cost me about $8.

standard:
- a bicycle with a rear rack
- one kitty litter bucket
- 4 U bolts (saddle clamps would also work) *
- 4 straps*
- 8 washers*
- 8 nuts*
- plywood
- 1 bungee cord -- i used 24" (not necessary, but recommended)

*make sure to measure these for a snug fit (bouncing around isn't a good idea). i used two bolts 7/16 x 2 inches and two 1/2 x 2 inches. straps and nuts came included. the measurements will depend on how you mount the bucket. my smaller measurement was for the bars of the rear rack alone and the other was for the bars plus some of the bucket's lip.

optional bottom reinforcements:
- 1 bungee cord -- i used 36 with a few knots
- 1 eye bolt
- 2 washers
- 2 nuts

decorations:
- reflectors (unless automotive death is a plan of yours)
- nice stickers and/or propaganda

tools:
- drill
- measuring tape
- saw
- stuff to mark (pens, pencils, or markers)

Comments

[aweekfromthursday]

I buy that kitty litter! Those jugs are so useful. What a great instructable. Of course, I'd have to paint the box a different color.

[aaahotdog]

Very nice. I am just thinking how it would look on my bike with the labels covered by a bright yellow plasticote spray paint.

[spark master]

all of the plastic box paniers are nice! I took a heavy cardbord box and slapped on in my rack (not so great but fine for library trips)

these (and all of the kitty litter/bucket type) look great

here are two improvements

1) add panels of foam insulation on alll side to make one side a cooler, you could get very fancy here.

2) add LED lights if the black plastic is too dark to see contents, or, like your car boot, easy to see at night

ciao

[foobear]

heh... classy! and your bike is a lot less likely to get stolen!

[curlykale]

hey  thanks for your design, can't wait to make some. could anyone recommend a pannier rack? some are so expensive.
also has anyone found cat litter containers outside the US? i've never seen them and only finding round ones outside cafes etc.
still looking for some of those containers, only finding round ones...
cheers!

[BeefDivision]

 Curlykale...  Performance Bike (here in America) carries a really nice sturdy, lightweight basic aluminum rack called the Transit for only $20 US.  I'm sure they can be found other places as well.  It's made by Axiom, and below I've included a link to the manufacturer's site.

I'm about to buy one for my city bike.

www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/racks/rear-racks/transit/