Luggage Rack

[Doobage]

My original need for a luggage rack was to carry my bass guitar case. But as it turns out, it's very handy and holding camping gear.

I own an Honda ST 1300 and the luggage rack was cut by a friend of a friend of a friend. It's 1/8 inch aluminum sheeting with the edges and corners rounded. I used some weather stripping on the bottom side to keep it from scratching the bike frame and for a little additional support. Dimensions are rougly 2.5 feet wide (which is nearly the exact width of the bike) and about a 1.5 feet deep.

It does catch a little bit more wind on a cross breeze or behind a truck, but fairly minor. I suspect I'll modify it further by creating a wind screen for the front half so that luggage doesn't get hit by bugs and doesn't have to stress between wind and straps.

[Trailace]

My original need for a luggage rack was to carry my bass guitar case. But as it turns out, it's very handy and holding camping gear.

I own an Honda ST 1300 and the luggage rack was cut by a friend of a friend of a friend. It's 1/8 inch aluminum sheeting with the edges and corners rounded. I used some weather stripping on the bottom side to keep it from scratching the bike frame and for a little additional support. Dimensions are rougly 2.5 feet wide (which is nearly the exact width of the bike) and about a 1.5 feet deep.

It does catch a little bit more wind on a cross breeze or behind a truck, but fairly minor. I suspect I'll modify it further by creating a wind screen for the front half so that luggage doesn't get hit by bugs and doesn't have to stress between wind and straps.
Looks good but now I?m hungry.

[mongo]

Doobage at least you have made more use for the rear rack than most, and a nice job of it to!

[Doobage]

Here are some pics for the real reason...I don't think I have any with my camping gear on it. I'll need to rectify that soon!

I'd like to spend some time (and money) and make it better/more versatile, since I think that space could really be used with a variety of attachments.

[Trailace]

Here are some pics for the real reason...I don't think I have any with my camping gear on it. I'll need to rectify that soon!

I'd like to spend some time (and money) and make it better/more versatile, since I think that space could really be used with a variety of attachments.

That cool I bet you get some funny looks.

[number9]

:eek: How does that setup handle on the interstate in some big truck wash?

Hmm,........I wonder......if you rounded the leading edges of that case........and got going really fast.......

[Doobage]

Surprisingly, I don't really get any bad airflow behind trucks, but I haven't taken it over 70 mph either (with the bass attached). Crosswinds are slightly more apparent, but not dangerous, so far as I can tell.

As for the looks...When the bike is parked I get a number of people saying the "cookie sheet" is horribly ugly...but most of those comments come from people that don't understand why my bike doesn't have chrome either. Sigh. But I've enjoyed cleaning my bike in less than 5 minutes as compared to those that spend 4 hours trying to clean off the water spots. The last thing I'd want to worry about while touring is cleaning my chrome. I've also viewed chrome on a bike as compared to a hair cut. Hair cuts are really for everyone else (unless it's a "functional" haircut). Since I don't care too much what others think of me, I'm not going to spend a lot on a hair cut. Likewise, chrome appears to be for everyone else. If your riding, your not able to stare at your chrome. So the only people that can appreciate it are the ones who see you. And once you are home, it's in the garage...so you're not really looking at it then either. As negative as this might sound...I enjoy seeing a chromed out bike...but it's just not for me. I'm a function over form kinda guy.

I'll admit the cookie sheet is ugly, and I could do a few things to improve it's appearance, such as a black mat cut in about an inch from the perimeter. But since I really only want to attach it when it's loaded up, nobody will see the luggage rack anyway.

On another board I've asked the opinion of what I should stick on it while not in use and I think I might fabricate a flux capacitor just to get the added, "What the @#$%?" factor (but even it will be a container for holding additional stuff).

[Trailace]

Surprisingly, I don't really get any bad airflow behind trucks, but I haven't taken it over 70 mph either (with the bass attached). Crosswinds are slightly more apparent, but not dangerous, so far as I can tell.

As for the looks...When the bike is parked I get a number of people saying the "cookie sheet" is horribly ugly...but most of those comments come from people that don't understand why my bike doesn't have chrome either. Sigh. But I've enjoyed cleaning my bike in less than 5 minutes as compared to those that spend 4 hours trying to clean off the water spots. The last thing I'd want to worry about while touring is cleaning my chrome. I've also viewed chrome on a bike as compared to a hair cut. Hair cuts are really for everyone else (unless it's a "functional" haircut). Since I don't care too much what others think of me, I'm not going to spend a lot on a hair cut. Likewise, chrome appears to be for everyone else. If your riding, your not able to stare at your chrome. So the only people that can appreciate it are the ones who see you. And once you are home, it's in the garage...so you're not really looking at it then either. As negative as this might sound...I enjoy seeing a chromed out bike...but it's just not for me. I'm a function over form kinda guy.

I'll admit the cookie sheet is ugly, and I could do a few things to improve it's appearance, such as a black mat cut in about an inch from the perimeter. But since I really only want to attach it when it's loaded up, nobody will see the luggage rack anyway.

On another board I've asked the opinion of what I should stick on it while not in use and I think I might fabricate a flux capacitor just to get the added, "What the @#$%?" factor (but even it will be a container for holding additional stuff).
I say do what works for you. I do, have you seen my GS.

[Doobage]

Actually the GS is intriguing to me. Initially I was sort-of put off by the look of the saddlebags...but oddly enough they are growing on me. I'd like to see a GS in person (and/or eventually ride one). I've always liked BMW bikes even though I've never ridden one.

I went to the grand opening of the BMW dealer in north Houston and they were offering rides on several bikes. I sat around waiting for 2 hours and decided that it wasn't worth the wait, but managed to sit on a few.

Hopefully I can see yours in the not too distant future.

[Blues Traveler]

I've always been one who brings too much along on a trip. This is my current settup on my BMW 04' GSAdventurer.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/fwdboxmount009.jpg


As you can see I like the Jesse Luggage system. I made my own mount for moving the top box over the rear of the seat. A friend made me the rack that is behind the top box.

With this system I have 153 liters of lockable space plus the three racks on top of all boxs.

I still have a medium size bungee net (Aerostich cataloge) that I stretch over everything. Notice the abundance of tiedown spots on the side box top lids. These are attachment spots for the net.

[Mellow]

That's a cool setup - what's the advantage of moving the top box over the rear seat?

[Blues Traveler]

Allows me to put more of the heavier items (soft ice chest with food and drink ect.) over the bike in the passenger area. Bedroll/sleeping bag which is a much lighter item will go on the rack still leaving me access to the top box. Plus the placement of the box gives me a backrest thats always in the same place. That was one of the problems when the box was in the back and bedroll was forword of it. If I didn't get everything in the same place each time my personal area up front was effected.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/fwdboxmount008.jpg

Right now I am in the works of making a nice pad to add to the bottom front of the box. When I placed the position of the box I left enough room where I need to push back an inch and a half before I come into contact with the box. Didn't want to contact the box unless I wanted too.

[Mellow]

Cool, nice looking bike.

[Trailace]

Bike looks great!:)

[ibcleary]

Hey if the st1300 rack is thick enough drill some 1-2" holes every couple of inches to cut down on the wind effect when not loaded

[Blues Traveler]

Since were taking racks here I thought some of you would like to see what I had on my now sold ST1100. It was made by Mike (the Rackman) Roberts,

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/baserack.jpg

What you see above is the smaller everyday rack.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/rackwithoverlayonbike.jpg

Here you see the larger 20 3/4" X 14 3/4" overlay. Both racks are machined to line up with each other. :D "Notice the cup holders":D

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/rackwithfoldedlegs.jpg

The top rack is easy to remove (3 stainless 10-32 socket head flush screws) once you get your camp setup.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/rackwithlegs.jpg

And turns into a small table using this modified Coleman stove stand.

[mongo]

You are good! If I had not just ordered a new top case for the ST 1300 I would get Rack mans contacts because I Really like the rack for the ST 1100.

[motomac]

WOW that is really smooth. I think that may be a must have for the ST.:p That little table dealy has a lot of possibilties. :D

[number9]

You are good! If I had not just ordered a new top case for the ST 1300 I would get Rack mans contacts because I Really like the rack for the ST 1100.

I tried that route and was told that he no longer makes racks. :( so drew up a design I wanted and am getting it made. Will post pics when she's all done.

[motomac]

Thanks number9, I just looked for a web site and found that he does highway pegs now. It looks fairly simple if you have any machine shop tools.

[dannyk]

I have a ST1300 and was looking for a rack for it, currently turbocity tom is working on one for me, size around 18 wide X 14 long and made to fit with the smuggler trunk that I have as the smuggler comes close to the front mounting bolts on the factory rack, should be available for 13s and said he would build for the 1100s also per your request as to size etc. my size is for the Cabella's duffle that Joe described on this site, or my tent/sleeping bag combo. Dannyk

[dannyk]

Guy's this is what the proto type rack that turbo city tom is making for me, for the
ST 1300, he is going to add a antenna mount to it and finish it off and it should be ready, 18 inches wide by 12 inches long, worked with him as far as set back goes so it wont interfere with the smuggler, I like it, can't wait to get it. Dannyk

[Mellow]

Cool!... The ST guys are gonna love that.... Now, I wonder how easy it would be to add a plate w/Givi mounting points to is so someone could interchange them... or is the rack easy to take off on it's own...

[dannyk]

Joe, The mount for the rack replaces the black rubber piece that is on the original rack so I am assuming that the original bolts are used to mount it. I am sure that adding something to mount the givi trunk mount would be something that tom could fab up if he has something to go by. I don't remember how exactly mine was mounted on my 1100, but if it was 4 bolts I'm sure some tabs or a plate could be added to bolt the givi base plate to. Danny

[Trailace]

Joe, The mount for the rack replaces the black rubber piece that is on the original rack so I am assuming that the original bolts are used to mount it. I am sure that adding something to mount the givi trunk mount would be something that tom could fab up if he has something to go by. I don't remember how exactly mine was mounted on my 1100, but if it was 4 bolts I'm sure some tabs or a plate could be added to bolt the givi base plate to. Danny
This should help.
http://www.happy-trail.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=366&categoryid=31&startpage=1

[mongo]

Dannyk What is the going price for that great looking rack from Tom?

[Mellow]

This should help.
http://www.happy-trail.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=366&categoryid=31&startpage=1

Cool!... I'll post that on the ST board as well just in case they are curious.

[dannyk]

Mongo, Tom is pricing the rack in the neighborhood of a hundred bucks, powder coated in black or silver, he says he will include it in his normal inventory of ST parts. Danny

[mongo]

Thanks Danny, sorry for the late responce, my mother has been ill. I see your update, this is more of what I need than the topbox.

[Blues Traveler]

OK........I know I've probably gone too far but having nothing to do over the last couple of months I finaly finished something I started awhile back.

How many times have you found the perfect camp spot or campground and there were no tables? I have been to a few rally's were the tent/camp area is just a mass of tents and bikes all on top of each other without a single table in sight. If you ever seen my cooking settup you see why I have the need for a table. Cooking on the ground would be the absolute pits. Now this addition to my rack is something I won't have with me every trip but if I know the opption for a table is a maybe I'll throw it in the sidebag and will be prepared.

First off the stove mount is made from .050 6061 aluminum. Folded down for storage the mount 9.250 X 12.500 and is less than 1" thick at small bracket on the bottom of each half.
Will either stand on edge or sit flat in the bottom of one Jesse Bag.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/DSCN8323.jpg

Settup like the cook platform is only a couple of minutes and consists of 5 main parts and a few knobs to hold it all together.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/DSCN8324.jpg

Espresso anyone?

[punk_emo_tx]

OK........I know I've probably gone too far but having nothing to do over the last couple of months I finaly finished something I started awhile back.



Now thats first class.

[Tx White Knight]

Very nice setup Keith, looks great

[Alan]

Great looking setup. So do you have leveling jacks on the bike so the stove is nice and level???? :p