How do I attach my pack rack? Do I want to?

[Ms Piggy]

Well I've owned my little ole Black Betty for over 5yrs now, anyhoo at the time I bought her my flatmate threw a pack rack in as part of the sale (which wasn't attached and never has been as long as she's been mine).

I thought it might be handy to put it on as I've started commuting in and out to work again. My partner and I tried to figure it out today and couldn't, he screwed it partially in place and it was still really wobbly and looked like it may actually damage my seat, not to mention blow off in the 1st good Wellington wind!

I've attached some pics of the bike & the pack rack too.

Can anyone help? And is it really worth it?

I own a tank & a tail bag already, so I'm not sure there would be a lot of advantage in having the pack rack anyway.

What do you lot think?

Cheers, CSL

[Big Dave]

The Tomatoes are ripe.

[cs363]

Looks like an old Gearsack rack which are universal fit. Looks to me like you need to have someone fabricate a better front mount onto the shocks - the two mounts you have look like they bolt onto the indicator and the original grab rail bolts?
It needs to be attached to the shock mount to give it a good strong mount with the rear brackets acting as stabilisers/additional support - the way it is being mounted at present looks to have the mounting points too close to each other wich is probably why it's wobbly.
Better still get rid of it (Trade Me) and buy the Ventura system which has specific mounts to fit your bike. (Wouldn't be surprised if someone on here has a second hand one they could sell you)

My 2 cents...

[Ms Piggy]

The Tomatoes are ripe.

Heh heh...and delicious!

[MaxB]

I fitted one of the ventura racks to a mates CB250RS years ago.

From what I can remember cs363 is right. The racks have to be mounted so they effectively replace that chrome rail you see on the side of the bike. So it fits into the shock mount and the chrome rail mount in the subframe.

The Gearsack one uses the same mounting points from memory.

A new ventura rack and L-brackets for your bike will cost c.$200. But you could get used brackets from a wreck or on Trademe.

I would also dab on some rust killer onto the mounts to help it last a bit longer.

[Winston001]

Well if it is a universal fit and you've got it anyway......and its a non-essential from your point of view, can't see any point selling it without trying to make it fit. Why buy another when you have one?

Looks like it needs a couple of bracing arms and I wouldn't be surprised if someone here has a bright idea or two. Maybe even give you whats needed. Good pics and good on you for trying.

As for whether you need a packrack, depends on whether you struggle to carry stuff at the moment. If you go to rallies then yes, you should have one. However 20 years ago on the Yam 650 I just set my backpack up so that it sat on the seat behind me. Put the sleeping bag underneath and there was no weight on the shoulders - worked a treat until I needed to climb off.

[ajturbo]

your not going to RIDE your bike are you???

[Ms Piggy]

your not going to RIDE your bike are you???

Oh DO shut up! I can park the bike right outside my front door and I'm off to the VCR soon too.

[prettybillie]

I put a pack rack on my last bike and honestly never used it. You can't leave anything in it when you walk away from the bike as it is not lockable like a top box.....

[Winston001]

I put a pack rack on my last bike and honestly never used it. You can't leave anything in it when you walk away from the bike as it is not lockable like a top box.....

Interesting. I don't even lock my topbox, perhaps I'm to trusting. There are ways of locking a pack itself, and also attaching it with discreet locked cable. However I can't imagine needing a pack for day to day use anyway. If you go to a rally, everything is pretty safe. On a trip, parked on the side of a busy the street, you are pretty safe as well. If stopped for the night, take the pack with you.

I'm interested in why you don't feel a pack is safe?

[vifferman]

I'm interested in why you don't feel a pack is safe?

Too easy to get into or to remove.
There are dishonest people out there, y'know....

[Bullitt]

When I bought my bike it came with a packrack and the bags for it. I only ever used it when I was going on long trips as anything local a backpack was easier when I got to where I was going(never trusted leaving a bag on the bike). A few months ago I bought a topbox and I use it probably half the times I ride the bike. It looks stupid but its so practical I think Id struggle to be without it now.

[Winston001]

When I bought my bike it came with a packrack and the bags for it. I only ever used it when I was going on long trips as anything local a backpack was easier when I got to where I was going(never trusted leaving a bag on the bike). A few months ago I bought a topbox and I use it probably half the times I ride the bike. It looks stupid but its so practical I think Id struggle to be without it now.

Yeah, a topbox is really useful and in the short time I have had one, its become a part of the bike. Think I'll get a smaller one simply to leave on for day-to-day use.

As for packs etc getting stolen, yes I'm sure it could happen - but I've never heard of it. More likely for someone to open it and remove stuff which I still think is unlikely but putting a security chain/lock on the pack will discourage any idle passing thief.

Or maybe I'm just a pollyanna....