GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

So I want to make a rack for my little gs to which I can fasten some bags as spring is approaching (already here?) and I'm itching to roam.  Has anyone seen one or built one that works well?  Just gonna use some mild steel rods (3/8" or so), bent and welded appropriately.  Basically just need to figure where to attach them to frame.

yeah, sure have. mine will hold enough to max out the gvwr of the bike

what're the chances you've got pics?

what's the chances you've searched for this?

Try http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=84315#84315 for pics with luggage.  Also, see GSJack's homemade rack at http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=26616#26616

my rack,
http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/GStwinMembers/davipu/DSCF0001.jpg
http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/GStwinMembers/davipu/DSCF0002.jpg
http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/GStwinMembers/davipu/DSCF0003.jpg

wheres your exhaust?

-ash

in that pic I still had the open pipes tht were cut under the bike

lol, thats awsome .

-ash

BTW POST # 400 WOO HOO!!!! :)

Quote from: davipumy rack,
http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/GStwinMembers/davipu/DSCF0001.jpg
http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/GStwinMembers/davipu/DSCF0002.jpg
http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/GStwinMembers/davipu/DSCF0003.jpg

Hello Davipu,

Your racks look good.  I would like to try my hand at something like that.

A few questions if you don't mind.  

1) What size bar stock or tubing did you use?
2) What method/tool did you use to bend your material?
3) Are those home-made u-channels securing those diagonal supports?
4) Do you think a guy could just weld those diagonal                                                supports on?
5) Do you have any favorite web sites that give some good info on bending tubing and planning/construction of luggage racks? (I have searched on-line and I can't find anything good)

Sorry for all of the questions.  If I'm asking for too much info I understand.  Thanks.


Bob

I made the rack for the 97 referred to by Rema above and attached it completly to the passanger grab handle.  Can be removed by unbolting the grab handle.  

For the 02 I bought the Suzuki luggage rack to hold a Givi hard bag. Had to add some braces which I attached to the short vertical flat spot at the top of the rear fender.  

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/gsrackpics.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GiviRackPics.jpg)

As you can see from the pics, function is more important than form to me.   :lol:

Suzuki rack:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/99950-70267.jpg)

Kerry has the Five Stars rack which can be found at Twisted Throttle and also there are some Krauser racks there.  You might want to look at them and how they are mounted.  I didn't like the Givi racks for the GS as it holds the case up too high for my liking.

http://twistedthrottle.net/

Quote from: gsJack

Kerry has the Five Stars rack which can be found at Twisted Throttle and also there are some Krauser racks there.  You might want to look at them and how they are mounted.  I didn't like the Givi racks for the GS as it holds the case up too high for my liking.

http://twistedthrottle.net/

Hello gsJack,

Thats a nice looking top rack you have there.

I like those "FiveStar" racks but they are not shown as being available at the "twistedthrottle" site.  I e-mailed them to see if they special order.  


I have seen this site before, but rechecked it after you listed it.  I am glad you mentioned it because I found a page on the website that has alot of photos of some of the racks and how they are mounted.  There is alot of ideas there.  http://www.twistedthrottle.com/search/?SectionIDOverride=3&SearchText=gs500

Well, I have a new oxy/acetylene welding kit so all I need to do now is learn how to weld, and fabricate/bend tubing.  :)

Thanks for the information.


Bob

it's just 1/2" SS hydraulic tubing. I used a normal hand bender. yep they sure are I just cut a bunch of 3" flat 1/2" wide and put two bends in there and drilled some holes. sure you could just weld them on, but why? whould you want to?  when I made mine, I just started with a idea and some scraps laying around from there I just went to work and about a hour later I had a rack.  I only made the top piece the first day, it will hold about 50 lbs on it's own but has a tendecy to vibrate at freeway speeds, so I added the diagonial soupports and saddle  bag gaurds.

Well, thanks to both "davipu" & "John Bates" for some very useful information.  Today has been a fruitful day for me on the GStwin forum.

The people from "twistedthrottle.com" contacted me and they informed me that the "FiveStar" top & sideracks were available for the '02 GS500 as a special order item.(takes about 6 weeks to order-cost?)  

I have the welding equipment and I need to learn how to use it so I must, at  least, attempt to make some luggage racks for myself.  Since the racks won't be critical components my welds won't have to stand up to x-ray quality, and if they turn out lousy I can always buy the "FiveStars". :)

Thanks again.

Bob

Thanks all for all the pics.  :cheers:  And, I did in fact do a search :nana: , but I figured there would be some people out there eager to show off their handiwork.  Nice job guys :thumb: .  If I get around to it, I'll post pics.  I like the look of the black tubular one in GSJacks post; maybe I'll try to copy that one, with additional supports.

Quote from: smokerThanks all for all the pics.  :cheers:  And, I did in fact do a search :nana: , but I figured there would be some people out there eager to show off their handiwork.  Nice job guys :thumb: .  If I get around to it, I'll post pics.  I like the look of the black tubular one in GSJacks post; maybe I'll try to copy that one, with additional supports.

Hello smoker,

Thanks for starting up this topic.  

If you like "GSJacks" black top rack you will have to make it yourself or find it used because Suzuki does not offer it any longer.

If you have not visited the twistedthrottle site yet you need to check their GS500 page, it has some good pictures showing how some of their racks are mounted to the bike. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/search/?SectionIDOverride=3&SearchText=gs500

Well, good luck and post the pictures iif you make anything.


Bob

I made a rack out of 3/4 inch emt with pre-bent 90's and some spot welding...all purchased from Home Depot.  It will hold all of my 205 lbs balanced on it.

There is a picture of the finished product in the "member bike" section...
(http://www.gstwins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/jenna_flatstanleyb%20003.jpg)

I also have a picture at home from the "sizing and fitting" stage of fab.  I'll see if I can dig it out later.

You definitely need some lower extensions for the top rack.

Quote from: luksiI made a rack out of 3/4 inch emt with pre-bent 90's and some spot welding...all purchased from Home Depot.  It will hold all of my 205 lbs balanced on it.

There is a picture of the finished product in the "member bike" section...

I also have a picture at home from the "sizing and fitting" stage of fab.  I'll see if I can dig it out later.

You definitely need some lower extensions for the top rack.

Nice job "luksi".  Yes, post the other photo if you can find it.  

Thanks.


Bob

This will probably make me look like an ass, but how else do you learn??  What the hell is "EMT" that everyone keeps referring to?  "Electroplate M.... Tubing", "Eastern Mountain Time", "Elastic Meat Tubetop"????   :dunno:  :dunno:  :dunno:

electrical metal tubing  otherwise called thin wall conduit  learn by doing, that is the most fun way
if you can find 1/2" stuff I have a bender you can barrow

I actully planned on using conduit (part time electrician with friends in the biz with benders galore, but thanks for the offer Davipu), but never heard it referred to as anything other than conduit.  But then again, southwest PA is the Kentucky hills (no offense, Kentuckians; you've got a beautiful state) of the north, most real names for things rarely get used.  

PS  Thanks to all for making this my first two-pager!!! :cheers:

Here's my homemade EMT rack before grinding down and painting.  I used a sledge hammer and concrete step to form the flat areas and the connection to the bike (a flat piece welded on bottom holds the bends onto GS frame).  
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/luksi/50thothers012.jpg)

The downtubes connect to brackets (part A) on each side that I hammered out and attached much like the 5 star model shown on Kerry's page.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/luksi/rearrack2.jpg)

I didn't use a pipe bender as you can buy prebent Ls or 90s with connectors.  The connectors have screws to hold them in place.  Very helpful in fitting/sizing.  I removed screws once the connectors were welded together.  Stainless steel bolts and lock nuts hold downtubes to rack and frame.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/luksi/rackparts.jpg)

I don't know if JB weld would work with the connectors.  Someone might try.   I had access to welding equipment but you must be careful as it's easy to burn through the thin walled EMT.  I filled in the holes with some spare bondo before painting.

Dude, that diagram was exactly what I wanted to see!! :thumb:   Nice job on your rack, by the way.  I'm pretty handy with a MIG, but understand about the thin wall stuff burning thru...  Low current, low feed rate, go SLOW...  But then again, I do love the bondo (makes up a fair percentage of my '93 F-150).  Thanks again, all!!!! :cheers: