Luggage rack I made today - possible supply for others

[sebwiers]

I'm taking off for a 4 day trip tomorrow.  Needed some way to carry personal effects, food, a tent, sleeping pad & bag.  Didn't have time to get bags delivered, didn't wanna jimmy rig lashing stuff on.  Did have access to welding equipment and 1 inch 14g square tubing (and a bit of 1/2 inch also).

So, I pulled off the grab rail, cut a 12" wide bit of tube, matched the holes in the grab rail, and worked from there.  The results are pretty good, damn near ADV quality.  As currently installed, it probably shouldn't hold more then 20 lbs, maybe a bit more if the weight is all near the front.  But it also provides a good lash point to put stuff on the seat.  Once I get back and have more time, I'm gonna rig a bar that clamps from the rear of the rack to the odd little 'bungie loops' that sit about 5" behind the grab rail location, for extra strength / bounce resistance.  Might also mount a locking box under the rack, for gloves etc, and drops on the sides to keep saddle bags out of the tire.

An yes, the color is also awful - its a nice primer, but I need to hit the rack with black (or maybe white).





Am considering offering these for sale.  Cost would depend partly on how many orders I get.  If I get a lot of orders, I can set up a jig and kick em out in less than half the time this one took.  Might also consider making it in aluminum instead of steel, but would need to practice TIG / Al welding first.  The one in the picture weights maybe 20 lbs, Al could get the weight done to 10.  Any interest here?  Anywhere else I might look to sell?

[casper]

Damn I hate being in South Africa. 

I'd love to get one of those in Alli. But how would I get it here? I'll have to make my own one.

And also, there is no RPM parts store is SA. 

[oldktmdude]

   Be aware those grab rail mounting points are not very strong. They are only nuts welded to thin gauge steel tubing. I would advise not to use it until you have it braced to the "bungie loops" you mentioned.  Pete.

[Arnie]

Casper - RPM ships to (almost) all corners of the globe

sebwiers - Don't trust those wire bungie hook things.  Make a proper anchor to the subframe using either "P" clamps or some other strong attachment.  Your rack looks really good, but put a couple of slabs of beer on, and go down a rutted goat track and it'll snap right off.  Support the rear with struts running diagonaly and anchored solidly to the subframe and you'll be able to carry so much weight that wheelies will be easy in third.

Arnie

[racerrad8]

Arnie is correct, we ship parts all over the world every day and we have those racks in stock as well.

Yamaha FJ1200 Sports Rack/Carrier It is a little smaller than the homemade one but it is supported a bit better and only weighs 5 lbs.

Robert - RPM

[sebwiers]

Did fine for the trip.  Only weight on it was air mates in back and tent right near front.  Sleeping bag went under rack on top of spoilet, luggage on seat lashed to rack.  Served more to provide lasting points and shape than bear load.