Luggage Rack Plate DR650

[Mr. Guy]

While on the TAT trip with Trailace and Chief, I really liked the way that Rick had his bike packed up and not the way I had mine overloaded. It seems that the bigger the bag you have the more stuff you'll take, weather you need it or not, that now I'll use smaller bags. So taking inspiration from Ricks Packed Thread:

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1044

I decided to make a plate like on Ricks bike. This is what the factory rack looks like on the bike:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/mrguy001/SN_WhW5ZxEI/AAAAAAAAALI/903MKmR1CSc/s640/side%20before.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/mrguy001/SN_WjGWLqWI/AAAAAAAAALQ/tBnQ7i9ULBE/s640/rear%20before.JPG

And this is the plate I made for my luggage rack out of some aluminium plate I had left over from another project:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/mrguy001/SN_WnmYzsPI/AAAAAAAAALY/Wp2E6wSdL9Y/s640/side%20after.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/mrguy001/SN_WqbzTjhI/AAAAAAAAALg/Nnrg_p-1xJs/s640/rear%20after.JPG

I made mine a little farther forward so that the weight would be forward. It's 12" front to back and 15" side to side. I thoght about going 18" wide, but thought that would be to wide. Now I need to find a good bag to go on it.

Thanks, Guy

[Ironheadziggy76]

Lookin' good Guy! I like the way you curved it around the seat.

[Mellow]

That's cool... Yeah, Rick does a good job of thinking through his packing issues.. and he's pretty good with a welder.

[Mr. Guy]

Thanks guys, Guy

[Trailace]

Looks great Guy.

[Chief]

That looks great Guy. How did you attach it to the factory rack?

[bluepoof]

Love the "paved roads" sticker! :D

[Mr. Guy]

Thanks Rick

Hi Chief,
I used those rubber covered pipe clamps like on your Dirt-bag bracket.

Hi Bluepoof,
I got them from Happy-Trail, but they don't make them anymore.

Guy

[SDD74]

I built a rack for my 230L out of diamond plate alum. it measured 16"x13". It is big enough to hold my 12pack cooler.

[SDD74]

sorry I am learning, but here is another pic

[Ironheadziggy76]

Looks good SDD74! P^ Did you paint it, or powder coat it? If you painted it what paint did you use on it? I'm getting ready to paint some aluminum and am trying to find something that will last.

[greybeard]

if you want paint to stick to aluminum you have to pickle it (wash it down with a vinager solution) this kills the oxidation but you must quick dry it and be all ready to paint imediatly

[SDD74]

I cheaped out for now. this winter I will sandblast it and send the to the platers for a hard coat anodize. I work at a machine shop so I can slip them in with other parts for little to nothing. As far as paint goes on alum. go to the auto parts store or a automotive paint store and get some etching primer. then you can paint it. the etching primer bonds to the alum. and the paint will be on there forever. my spray paint is already coming off on the top from one trip with the cooler.P^

[Ironheadziggy76]

greybeard, I'll give the pickling a try!

SDD74, I still have a half quart of Dupont Vari-Prime self etching primer left over from another project. P^