After much searching in the forum and on the web, I have come to the conclusion that there isn't much of a choice for our bikes when it comes to luggage racks. What is available is very pricey.
So, I am thinking of building my own. I have access to a welder and I can come up with a tubing bender.
I'm thinking of something similar to the Five-Star set up that Kerry has. Hopefully I can do this for alot less than the $330.00 that the Five-Star set sells for.
I want to see if I can come up with a design that would keep soft bags away from the bodyworks and rear tire, as well as give me a place to mount hard bags if I want. Same plan for the Tail rack.
What do you all see as the Pros and Cons with the idea?
Or am I simply....... :cookoo:
Be Safe.
This here is my Rentec,
(http://www.bbburma.net/CalPrice/GiviTopBox_Rack.jpg)
(http://www.bbburma.net/CalPrice/GiviTopBox_RackFitting.jpg)
GSJack made his own and published some pics a fair while back. I think he had some problem with cracking on the Suzuki rack.
The only problem with the Rentec design is that you loose the tail space where the tool kit is stowed but set against a topbox it's not much of a loss.
Just put luggage racks in the search here and you will come up with all kinds of stuff like this rack davipu made from welded bent tubing like you suggest:
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
I made one from aluminum angle stock put together with ss screws that carried soft luggage on my 97 GS for years and many tens of thousands of miles:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/gsrackpics.jpg
For my 02 GS I bought a Suzuki factory rack (about $80)and mounted a Givi Monolock hardcase to it. It attached to the two bolts that hold the passanger grab handle only and the frame member it bolted to began to crack and I added some bracing struts made from aluminum angle and bolted on. I don't have a welder and there is no electricity available in my garage.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GiviRackPics.jpg
Suzuki rack:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/99950-70267.jpg
I have seen most of those pics already. As I have searched through the forum for this info.
I do like the Rentec tail rack.( Thanks Cal.) However, It doesn't have side racks. Dito on the stock rack. I do like the way GSJack solved the frame cracking problem. BTW, welcome back GSJack. I've read many of your posts over the last year while I was lurking. A couple of them are what helped me decide to get a Baby G.
I guess what I'm looking for is something to pull double duty.
Protect the bike from being damaged from soft bags and keep the bags away from the rear wheel, And also be able to mount hard bags if wanted. Maybe even give some decent protection to the rear of the bike in case of a lay down. Kind of like what some companies are offering for some of the DS adventure type bikes.
Maybe I am :cookoo: I guess it's time to buy some material and start playing and see what I come up with.
a guy in the uk makes them pritty simple design but he has loaded his up to over200 pounds and hasnt bent
http://www.gs500e.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7130&highlight=rack
(http://www.gs500e.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2420&stc=1&d=1155751943)
(http://www.gs500e.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2421&stc=1&d=1155818120)
Thanks for the link Hmmmmnz,
If it had side racks for extra strenth and stability it would be closer to what I'm looking for. I will do some searching on the UK forum.
Be Safe.
hey, what is the rentec and where i cpuld buy one for my 1996?