My $37.85 rear luggage rack. (El Cheapo home made...)

*trikebubble* · 08-12-2005

First off let me preface this by saying I am not going to keep this thing on my bike. We are prepping for our 2 week trip in September and I need a little more space for storage and packing.
I also don't keep the backrest on my bike, i think it looks hideous, and ruins the lines of Ms.Meanie. But again, it's required to attach the rack to.
I looked around and decided that as El Cheapo I wasn't about to fork out $100+ denerios for a rack that will not be attached all the time.

So El Cheapo did the next best thing. He made his own.
I looked around (again) found a suitable replacement (i think) and did a little fabricating (cutting, grinding, and hitting with a hammer)
I found what's called a 10" Keel Roller (some thingie for a boat trailer) for the paltrly price of $37.85 and made it fit.
It's big enough to strap our tent and roll up foamies onto, but not too big that it really looks like I bas*ardized my poor Ms.Meanie.
Now, in it's present state, it is galvanized steel. I may remove it and have my brother-not yet-in law chrome plate it for me at his shop. Still contemplating that.

So, that's it. My El Cheapo rear luggage rack.
I know it doesn't look great or anything, but it will certainly get the job done.
And with the $$ I saved, I can buy something I really need. Like a chrome inner engine cover.

**Spok** · 08-12-2005

looks very nice carlo. i'd never laugh at it as ingenuity is the motor of capitalism.

get it chromed!

1400pilot · 08-12-2005

looks good, and very useable, just send it to a company that does chromeing and you be all set.

tnhunter · 08-12-2005

Where does it get support from? Did you bolt it to the backrest? It looks pretty good actually. Might want to carve a little design or you initials in it and get it chromed.

*trikebubble* · 08-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnhunter

Where does it get support from? Did you bolt it to the backrest? It looks pretty good actually. Might want to carve a little design or you initials in it and get it chromed.

It's bolted to the backrest in 4 places. 2 at the frame, and 2 up higher on the pad support tabs. Should be strong enough, i figure.

tnhunter · 08-12-2005

For just a tent and couple of foam pieces? I would say overkill but there is no such thing when you are doing it yourself. I hate the luggage racks as well. I am thinking about the travel bag for the backrest. If not that, I will just wait for the big trailer with the blue bike to come by on its way to Arkansas and throw my stuff on top!!!LOL

BigJohn · 08-12-2005

That'll get 'er done...Well done...

04Meanie · 08-12-2005

Hey if it works, it works. Good job.

SleekStreak · 08-12-2005

Actually... chrome that sucker and it's look like you have a sweet and unusual custom piece on your bike. Chromed, I'd leave it, even. /shrug

bross · 08-12-2005

Just one question. Your girl is riding her own bike right? Why are *YOU* carrying the tent and pads??? Make her strap those suckers on her bike and leave the meanie nice and clean! Just kidding.

I pretty much devote one saddlebag to carrying parts, wrenches, etc. for Jodie's bike when we go on a trip. But as far as tents go, what the heck is a tent??? Isn't that why they invented Visa cards and 5 star hotels.

tnhunter · 08-12-2005

Yup, Bross is right. Just put it all on a visa and move on. No reason to mess up the lines on the bike. Now if Bross will just send you his visa.....

SleekStreak · 08-12-2005

You don't have his Visa card # already? I do. Want it?

azchick · 08-12-2005

Hey! That's cool! good for you!

Night Flight · 08-12-2005

Personally, I think you did a nice piece of engineering. Now if you put the boat roller on it when you get back from the rally you should be able to install a crank and line to winch the boat out of the water.

**Spok** · 08-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bross

Just one question. Your girl is riding her own bike right? Why are *YOU* carrying the tent and pads??? Make her strap those suckers on her bike and leave the meanie nice and clean! Just kidding.

I pretty much devote one saddlebag to carrying parts, wrenches, etc. for Jodie's bike when we go on a trip. But as far as tents go, what the heck is a tent??? Isn't that why they invented Visa cards and 5 star hotels.

Brent, are you suggesting that your lovely wife's Beemer needs to have wrenches along on a long haul?

CTRider · 08-12-2005

You know, a flat chrome plate with a Kawi emblem on it would decorate your little shelf nicely. Alternatives might be treaded steal, textured rubber or just remove that inner flat plate all together. A little chrome would really spruce it up.

However, since it's designed to hold luggage, it'll be covered just about any time you have it on there, so who cares what it looks like? Nice job.

**2WheelFun** · 08-12-2005

Good job Carlo! You have a knack for engineering things! Big applause for you my friend!

bross · 08-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnhunter

Yup, Bross is right. Just put it all on a visa and move on. No reason to mess up the lines on the bike. Now if Bross will just send you his visa.....

Only if he sends out those curvy roads like he promised

bross · 08-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by spok

Brent, are you suggesting that your lovely wife's Beemer needs to have wrenches along on a long haul?

Yep, but just to adjust the chain if necessary. So far haven't needed to but I like to carry them just in case. The only problem is they're a 22 and 27mm wrench and those suckers are heavy, plus a can of chain lube! I used to carry a spare quart of oil, but I'm not going to anymore, the bikes never use any oil anyway. Still learning what I actually *need* to carry. Every trip I drop a few things and add a few more.

*trikebubble* · 08-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bross

Just one question. Your girl is riding her own bike right? Why are *YOU* carrying the tent and pads??? Make her strap those suckers on her bike and leave the meanie nice and clean! Just kidding.

I pretty much devote one saddlebag to carrying parts, wrenches, etc. for Jodie's bike when we go on a trip. But as far as tents go, what the heck is a tent??? Isn't that why they invented Visa cards and 5 star hotels.

We figure that we'd give in to a little sense of adventure. Try and camp as much as possible, until we start to smell too bad and require that shower.
We just have to sit down and figure what to take, and how to pack it all. Now where do I put the Espresso Maker?

08-12-2005	#1 (permalink)
trikebubble RIP Brother Deron Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Okanagan Falls, BC Posts: 18,640	My $37.85 rear luggage rack. (El Cheapo home made...) First off let me preface this by saying I am not going to keep this thing on my bike. We are prepping for our 2 week trip in September and I need a little more space for storage and packing. I also don't keep the backrest on my bike, i think it looks hideous, and ruins the lines of Ms.Meanie. But again, it's required to attach the rack to. I looked around and decided that as El Cheapo I wasn't about to fork out $100+ denerios for a rack that will not be attached all the time. So El Cheapo did the next best thing. He made his own. I looked around (again) found a suitable replacement (i think) and did a little fabricating (cutting, grinding, and hitting with a hammer) I found what's called a 10" Keel Roller (some thingie for a boat trailer) for the paltrly price of $37.85 and made it fit. It's big enough to strap our tent and roll up foamies onto, but not too big that it really looks like I basardized my poor Ms.Meanie. Now, in it's present state, it is galvanized steel. I may remove it and have my brother-not yet-in law chrome plate it for me at his shop. Still contemplating that. So, that's it. My El Cheapo rear luggage rack. I know it doesn't look great or anything, but it will certainly get the job done. And with the $$ I saved, I can buy something I really need. Like a chrome inner engine cover. __________________ 2005 V2K Ltd* "I'll ride the wave where it takes me, I'll hold the pain release me"

08-12-2005	#2 (permalink)
Spok RIP Deron - 1400Pilot Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 34,585	looks very nice carlo. i'd never laugh at it as ingenuity is the motor of capitalism. get it chromed! __________________ In Memory of Deron Harden - 1400 Pilot. You are missed.

08-12-2005	#3 (permalink)
1400pilot UBER CLUB MEMBER #2 Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Holdrege, Nebraska Posts: 13,839	looks good, and very useable, just send it to a company that does chromeing and you be all set. __________________ Click for a map of the states I've ridden in 08 ZG1400 Concours 06 KDX200 04KX65

08-12-2005	#4 (permalink)
tnhunter Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville "music city" Posts: 1,320	Where does it get support from? Did you bolt it to the backrest? It looks pretty good actually. Might want to carve a little design or you initials in it and get it chromed. __________________ 87 vn1500b 88se Jardine pipes stage 1 jet 87 Gl1200I Goldwing load up, head out.

08-12-2005	#6 (permalink)
tnhunter Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville "music city" Posts: 1,320	For just a tent and couple of foam pieces? I would say overkill but there is no such thing when you are doing it yourself. I hate the luggage racks as well. I am thinking about the travel bag for the backrest. If not that, I will just wait for the big trailer with the blue bike to come by on its way to Arkansas and throw my stuff on top!!!LOL __________________ 87 vn1500b 88se Jardine pipes stage 1 jet 87 Gl1200I Goldwing load up, head out.

08-12-2005	#7 (permalink)
BigJohn Power Hungry V2K Rider Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 6,280	That'll get 'er done...Well done... __________________ '00 Nomad '06 V2K LT Because RED is the fastest color...

08-12-2005	#8 (permalink)
04Meanie Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bossier City, La Posts: 198	Hey if it works, it works. Good job. __________________ 2004 Mean Streak

08-12-2005	#9 (permalink)
SleekStreak Needs A Real Job BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,954	Actually... chrome that sucker and it's look like you have a sweet and unusual custom piece on your bike. Chromed, I'd leave it, even. /shrug __________________ 2002 Kawasaki Mean Streak 1500 http://bookmanstudios.com/bikediary

08-12-2005	#10 (permalink)
bross Let's Ride! Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Osoyoos, BC Canada Posts: 6,517	Just one question. Your girl is riding her own bike right? Why are YOU carrying the tent and pads??? Make her strap those suckers on her bike and leave the meanie nice and clean! Just kidding. I pretty much devote one saddlebag to carrying parts, wrenches, etc. for Jodie's bike when we go on a trip. But as far as tents go, what the heck is a tent??? Isn't that why they invented Visa cards and 5 star hotels. __________________ 08 CBF1000 07 DR650 Pic 06 Triumph Scrambler

08-12-2005	#11 (permalink)
tnhunter Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville "music city" Posts: 1,320	Yup, Bross is right. Just put it all on a visa and move on. No reason to mess up the lines on the bike. Now if Bross will just send you his visa..... __________________ 87 vn1500b 88se Jardine pipes stage 1 jet 87 Gl1200I Goldwing load up, head out.

08-12-2005	#12 (permalink)
SleekStreak Needs A Real Job BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,954	You don't have his Visa card # already? I do. Want it? __________________ 2002 Kawasaki Mean Streak 1500 http://bookmanstudios.com/bikediary

08-12-2005	#13 (permalink)
azchick aka: queen of mean Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 2,413	Hey! That's cool! good for you! __________________ 2005, 1600 Red Mean Streak

08-12-2005	#14 (permalink)
Night Flight TEXAS PATRIOT GUARD BTK Expert Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Texas - Rio Grand Valley Posts: 857	Personally, I think you did a nice piece of engineering. Now if you put the boat roller on it when you get back from the rally you should be able to install a crank and line to winch the boat out of the water. __________________ Blue/Silver 2005 Nomad VROC # 17291 Phat II Risers AM/FM CD MP3 Garmin GPS Midland CB

08-12-2005	#16 (permalink)
CTRider TV Guru BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 8,398	You know, a flat chrome plate with a Kawi emblem on it would decorate your little shelf nicely. Alternatives might be treaded steal, textured rubber or just remove that inner flat plate all together. A little chrome would really spruce it up. However, since it's designed to hold luggage, it'll be covered just about any time you have it on there, so who cares what it looks like? Nice job. __________________ 1983 Honda CB550 About Me Answers to your Gadget Questions Gadget Forum

08-12-2005	#17 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun old" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 30,383	Good job Carlo! You have a knack for engineering things! Big applause for you my friend! __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

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