Pack rack options?

[Kwaky]

Anybody ever made themselves a pack rack rather than buying one ? I was thinking it is somthing handy to have and was thinking about making making one.:confused:

[Padmei]

Do you mean for a normal pack or a Ventura Packrack type?
There;d be a bit of work trying to get one made for a normal pack.
I've got a ventura & had to make some heavyduty alterations to it cos it broke & bent (only used it a handful of times on not difficult terrrain) however would go for soft saddlebag type ones next time

welcome to KB as well.

[Eddieb]

JunkManJoe made some panniers racks for his 950 which are now fitted to my bike out of 10mm bar bent to suit and welded.

215387

[FlyRider]

I've got a ventura & had to make some heavyduty alterations to it cos it broke & bent (only used it a handful of times on not difficult terrrain) however would go for soft saddlebag type ones next time

+1 for the saddlebag type. I originally had just a Ventura rack and bag, when loaded up with all my hunting/fishing gear plus a couple days supplies it made my bike feel noticeably top heavy and awful to handle, especially on gravel. I find saddle bags/panniers are a much nicer weight distribution option, however I do also use my Ventura rack/bag for light stuff, plus its used for keeping my helmet dry when I leave the bike in the bush on hunting/fishing trips. I have a small hole cut in the base of the bag and run a small chain and padlock around the bike, up through the bag, and through the helmet for security.

As to making your own rack, for the price of the Ventura kit you may find it will cost about the same, maybe more, plus taking into account all the extra mucking around. The Ventura bolts on in minutes and has performed well for me even in the earlier days when it was packed up heavy, this included some rough terrain and lengthy rocky riverbed work

[bart]

My 2 cents. Keep the weight low and forward. Soft pannier bags are the way to go. Once they are full, start looking at other options. Pack rack type set ups unbalance the whole bike because the weight is high and too far back. Any weight beyond the rear axle is real baaaddddd.:shit:

[DR650gary]

My 2 cents. Keep the weight low and forward. Soft pannier bags are the way to go. Once they are full, start looking at other options. Pack rack type set ups unbalance the whole bike because the weight is high and too far back. Any weight beyond the rear axle is real baaaddddd.:shit:

I believe the correct configuration for the Ventura is with the rack facing forward over the seat. It is only supposed to be turned around for 2 up riding. We have the Ventura setup on 3 of our bikes and I do like the versatility of it. We have 3 sizes of pack for different situations but would never do the double up (zip 2 together) and then fill them with heavy gear. May take 2 packs on the ZRX but not 2 up.

Thinking about fabricating some bolt on/clip on sides for the Ventura for throw overs. If we do, I'll post a pic or 2.

[clint640]

My 2 cents. Keep the weight low and forward. Soft pannier bags are the way to go. Once they are full, start looking at other options. Pack rack type set ups unbalance the whole bike because the weight is high and too far back. Any weight beyond the rear axle is real baaaddddd.:shit:

x2 Pack racks can be convenient but I've never liked the way a bike handles with any load in them & I've seen quite a few break when used for adv touring. I load up the panniers which take all my stuff for most rides, if camping I put another bag on the rear carrier with the light stuff in it.

For panniers you will probably still need to make a rack of sorts to tie them to & keep them off the exhaust. As Eddie says the easiest way for the average handyman is to get some soild bar & a few scraps of flat for the mounting points, bend to shape & arc weld together.
The soft pannier racks I have made have been 1/2" stainless tube (worked well but prone to cracking eventually) Then 1/2" hydraulic pipe (worked well, bends nicely) then the most recent set for Rosie's new WR was out of 3/4 4130 Cro-moly tube (hard to bend but light & strong as buggery) Of course for tubing you really need a bender & a gas/tig welder. Most of the work is in making the mounting points.

Cheers
Clint

[trustme]

I believe the correct configuration for the Ventura is with the rack facing forward over the seat. It is only supposed to be turned around for 2 up riding. We have the Ventura setup on 3 of our bikes and I do like the versatility of it. We have 3 sizes of pack for different situations but would never do the double up (zip 2 together) and then fill them with heavy gear. May take 2 packs on the ZRX but not 2 up.

Thinking about fabricating some bolt on/clip on sides for the Ventura for throw overs. If we do, I'll post a pic or 2.

Like this, red bag carries sleeping bag & lightweight tent
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/trustme_photos/003-1.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/trustme_photos/009.jpg

[Eddieb]

Like this, red bag carries sleeping bag & lightweight tent


What are the bags?

[trustme]

What are the bags?

Panniers are Andystrapz expedition bags like Clints only cleaner cos I'm not allowed out much:innocent::innocent::innocent: , Red Bag is from a camping store , about $40, fold over flap to seal so no zips, used it in torrential rain & no leaks.

I'm not a fan of top boxes , Ive seen the demise of a few . A mate & I stopped at the beginning of a hydro dam bridge for a looksie , his top box felt no inclination to admire the view & carried on down the road much to my mates dismay. I might have smiled just a wee bit.

[DR650gary]

[QUOTE=trustme;1129829539]Like this, red bag carries sleeping bag & lightweight tent
QUOTE]

Yes. Any chance of a non mounted photo? It looks like the bottom is mounted to the pillion peg. Yes?

Thanks

[Kwaky]

I think I like the look of the panniers particulary with the effect they have on balance compared to a pack rack. In terms of carrying a rifle attached to the pannier any concerns with knocking the optics out of alignment particulary down dirt tracks ?

[DR650gary]

I think I like the look of the panniers particulary with the effect they have on balance compared to a pack rack. In terms of carrying a rifle attached to the pannier any concerns with knocking the optics out of alignment particulary down dirt tracks ?

Never carried a rifle on a bike, but think I would either figure out a handlebar mount or carry on my back. Stopped using the Givi side bags a few years ago. Used them all the time until I forgot they were there and was filtering aggressively. Them Givi bags make good brakes :shit:

[trustme]

[QUOTE=trustme;1129829539]Like this, red bag carries sleeping bag & lightweight tent
QUOTE]

Yes. Any chance of a non mounted photo? It looks like the bottom is mounted to the pillion peg. Yes?

Thanks

Yes, sorry no non mounted photos unless you really need some then I will drag them out & take pics.
Don't tell me the bolts are loose , this was mock up stage.
Did the mmmm in reverse a few months ago & this set up coped fine.


http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/trustme_photos/011.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/trustme_photos/008.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/trustme_photos/007.jpg

[monchopper]

A couple of mates have these bad boys http://www.giantloopmoto.com/ and recommend them highly.

Panniers for the more hard core adventure rider.

[DR650gary]

[QUOTE=DR650gary;1129829806]

Yes, sorry no non mounted photos unless you really need some then I will drag them out & take pics.
Don't tell me the bolts are loose , this was mock up stage.
Did the mmmm in reverse a few months ago & this set up coped fine.




They look perfect. Buy them or make them?

Thanks

[trustme]

[QUOTE=trustme;1129830077]

They look perfect. Buy them or make them?

Thanks


A mate gave me a bunch of bends & I reaquainted myself with the dark art of gas welding, hence some of the welds are a bit agricultural.
Unfortunately I don't have enough bends for another set

Andystrapz make a set of frames for the DR650

[DR650gary]

Thanks for that info. Got a mate with a gas axe. The idea was what I needed and that's a good. Maybe you would get takers if you made a few. Look on Ebay and see the price.

Cheers

[Padmei]

Those Giant loops look great. I think the selling point is how quickly they come on & off. If I could see myself getting time to do more longer trips I'd look at trying to make one of those next.

[cooneyr]

Those Giant loops look great. I think the selling point is how quickly they come on & off. If I could see myself getting time to do more longer trips I'd look at trying to make one of those next.

Good weight distribution and no need for pannier racks is what I like about them. Could chuck them on any bike with no real prep.

[trustme]

Top end is secured with hydraulic pipe clamps that are rubber coated,secured with ss cap screw & nyloc. Pulled out the passenger peg bolt & replaced with ss bolt & srpring washer & nut.

20mins on or off on a slow day

Bugger me , the secrets are gone , a fortune is lost :shit::shit::shit::shit:

[tri boy]

<a href="http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/triboy1/?action=view&current=2010_0114Scrambler0094.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/triboy1/2010_0114Scrambler0094.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

A Scrambler rider with bags on both sides is advertising that he swings both ways. I on the other hand am strictly hetro.:sunny: (plus too lazy to make a second bracket).
The andy bags are good because you can split them.
I'm just finishing some one off brackets for kanny's KLE, to suit the Torpedo7 bags.
Cant post any pics cause my pic system is down on the computer.

[trustme]

A hetro with only balls on one side.

Hmmmmmmm


Bugger all use to anyone :yes::yes::yes:

[Crim]

Good weight distribution and no need for pannier racks is what I like about them. Could chuck them on any bike with no real prep.

They look great - but the price is up there - US$ 300 - 400 before freight, has anybody approached a saddlery over here and investigated a "homemade" option?

[thepom]

I,ve got some oxford sot panniers I ll use ,I just have to make some stiffeners to hold them off the side of the exhaust.....after crashing on the river bed a few times the givi rack got taken off and thrown in the garage....my ankles are still bust up......:bye: