Ok so I went to the local bike shops and got a few quotes on racks. I was horrified at the prices. On average about 440 for just a plain rack no bags. So yesterday I decided to grab a bit of steel I had lying around and see what I could knock together. This was my first try not the finished product. My welding is pretty average to say the least. Lol.
My baby's
'10 gs500f black
'95 gsxr750wr
[attachment deleted by admin]
I like the idea Matty. Practice makes (almost) perfect. I have been in the same situation regarding pannier bag racks. I have seen some from the UK at about $400 but that is ridiculous. I have given a little thought to making my own but have not proceded yet. I have the bags but they rest on the plastic sides of the tailpiece. I don't want the scratch the paint or crack the plastic with the bags moving or bouncing around. :dunno_black:
Macka
Get the hepco and Becker rack its only 180. And it braces behind the license plate for triangulation. It's the only rack I've seen that can hold a good amount of weight without jiggling on the way down the road.
On my bike in this photo with Jmill at the helm.
(http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/5886/imagekou.jpg)
What rear rack could possibly cost $400? That must also include pannier racks as well,in which case it's not a bad price. You got to pay to play. In the US at least these are a very niche product that are bike specific. For example, hepco and becker often doesn't make the rack until you order it because they sell so few for the GS500.
In Oz it is $282 plus freight cost from across the country which is much more than in the US. It is cheaper to get something sent from the US to here than from within our own country. The HB site says that it suits up to '01 models only. I have emailed the Oz supplier for more info as I already have a GIVI top box and mount fitted so it might not go on.
Thanks for your helpful suggestion.
Cheers,
Macka
Still to much for my tiny budget. Have been playing again. Here's where I'm at.
Please keep in mind this is just the template. I'm trying not to put the supports down to the number plate. Just cos I don't like the look of them. I will if I find this design to bouncy.
My baby's
'10 gs500f black
'95 gsxr750wr
[attachment deleted by admin]
Can't make the other side. Ran out of steel. Am going to put some sort of upright, kinda like a grab rail, but am thinking of getting a Ventura bag. So I might wait till I have the measurements and make some kind of remove able upright, as I think they look average sticking up so high without the bag.
If you can't tell I'm a little indecisive ATM. :)
My baby's
'10 gs500f black
'95 gsxr750wr
[attachment deleted by admin]
Found a little more. Enough to do the other side at least.
My baby's
'10 gs500f black
'95 gsxr750wr
[attachment deleted by admin]
Leave it on so that I can have a look at it tomorrow. :thumb:
Macka
You will need bracing if you put a hard case on that rack. I had a Suzuki luggage rack on my 02 and back in the spring of 03 when I put a lightweight E33 Givi Monolock case on it the case began bouncing within a week. That flimsy grab handle frame cross member where the luggage rack mounted had begun cracking allowing the bouncing to progress. I mention the dates because I put some bracing on it and it's been solid as a rock ever since for 10 years and another 88k miles with the case on it all the way.
(http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/Suzuki_Rack.jpg)
(http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/RackPics.jpg)
http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GiviRackPics.jpg
Your welded tubing looks more professional than my bolted together aluminum angles but I don't weld and it's function over form for me anyway.
That's Old Timer ingenuity. I can relate to that. :bowdown:
Macka
Looks good, but I think you will definitely need something thicker where you bolt it to the grab handle spot. Good job thus far :thumb: