Oh, No! another luggage rack post.

[PuddleJumper]

Because of the lack of good inexpensive luggage racks for our bikes, I thought you all might be interested in what I did for mine.

[ohgood]

How noticable is the center of gravity with weight that high ?

[lossfound]

So what exactly is that thing? I am definitely interested in an inexpensive rack. If it's self-fabbed, it looks real nice.

And another Okie, too. I have no idea whether that's what "we" really call ourselves. Just moved to OKC from north FL a month ago, but anyway...

[scottpA_GS]

How noticable is the center of gravity with weight that high ?

Its not as high as a passenger My guess is you would never even notice a difference 

[trumpetguy]

I have a GIVI top case like that mounted on the OEM Suzuki luggage rack.  I have braces going from the rack to the frame almost exactly like yours.

The top case is EXCELLENT for storing the helmet and gloves and for carrying things home from the office or store.  I never have weight in it except when touring.  And when touring I put more weight in the saddlebags to keep the center of gravity down.  I never even notice that it's there.

[PuddleJumper]

thanks for the comments.

Yes, it is a self fabricated rack. This one is my prototype. I have an idea for an option to mount either one or two of those top cases. Not sure I'm going to go for three. I want to keep the wind resistance down as much as I can.

the center of gravity is just fine. I barely know it's back there. The biggest change has been in the amount of helmet buffet I get on the freeway. Some how it's changed the aerodynamics. Not sure how though.

My Father in Law thinks I should try to sell the racks. I'm not real sure I want to do that though. We'll see.

The rack has a six point attachment to the frame of the bike and will hold my 175 Lbs. with no problem.

Lossfound. welcome to the great state of Okla. You are now an Okie or Sooner. Either one works.

BeSafe.

[lossfound]

PJ, things like this really make me wish I knew how to weld. Let me know if you decide to go into production.

Oh yeah, and thanks for the welcome. Of course I moved to take a job, but the ridiculously cheap rent and (surely abnormal) weather right now is making me very glad I made the move. Not sure where you are at but let me know if you'd like to take a ride sometime, especially after I swap this rear shock out.

[PuddleJumper]

I'm in Pocola Okla.
It's about as far east as you can go before entering Ft. Smith AR. on the south side of Ft. Smith.

My Dad lives in Norman, so I do get over there occasionally. I usually cage though. I would like to ride out on State Hiway 9 sometime.
It's not super curvy, but it's a nice scenic route.

The weather this year really isn't abnormal. We have dry summers and wet ones. They come in cycles. It seems like about every 3 to five years, we get a wet one.

I'll let you know if I decide to start making these for sale.

BeSafe.

P.S. If you have kids, the OKC zoo is pretty good. If they like science, the omniplex is a fun hands on science museum.
On I-35 south of OKC is Frontier City, think mini six flags.

[lossfound]

Last I heard, about two days ago, we were a quarter-inch away from the wettest Oklahoma year on record. I'm not as ecstatic about that as I am about the fact that it's 68 degrees and *gorgeous* right now on my front porch. Just got back from a 90-minute ride... heaven. I don't want to go inside. I have not had the pleasure of weather like this since I last lived in Illinois.

Yeah it sounds like you are quite a ways off. But thanks for the advice on places to check out - don't have kids, but I will definitely check out the zoo at some point anyway. There is a lot of stuff in town I have been meaning to see but just haven't had time yet.

I am still looking for a good place to take the bike. I'm pretty much dead center of town and it takes forever to get anywhere secluded-- still looking for something a little more wind-y or at least forest-y (one thing I do miss about north FL is the prevalence of canopy roads). So now I'll have to go check out 9 as well. Thanks!

[pbureau69]

nice rack...

Givi still makes these racks btw

97-00 http://www.giviusa.com/caschi_borse_bauli_accessori.asp?CO_ID=10388
01-04 (should work for any new ones I guess) http://www.giviusa.com/caschi_borse_bauli_accessori.asp?CO_ID=10389

cheers

[PuddleJumper]

The Givis are definitely nice looking stuff.

I couldn't spend the $$ for those right now. That's why I worked out this design. Mine don't look near as nice, but they are strong and functional.

Kind of like our bikes.

I'm going to start on the adapter to allow me to put two bags on the bike.
I'll post an update when I get it done.

BeSafe.