Next project, Steamer racks.

[Sparky]

Not much selection for luggage racks I did find some Hepco Becker racks but they are expensive, big and look a bit like an afterthought so I thought I would try and build my own.  I am leaning toward soft luggage so these are built more as a spacer to keep the bags away from the exhaust, be able to fasten the bags securely and maybe add a tool tube or Rotopax in the future.  Instead of making the hoops I bought a set of unfinished ones from moto-racks.com and started fabricating the mounts.  I have no welding skills so I'm relying on a friend to stick the parts together, once everything is welded together I will get these powder coated. I still have to make a bracket to go across the back under the license plate, pics of progress so far.

[ssevy]

Nice idea, but just get a set of Mosko Moto Reckless 80 and your heat shields are all you need. Love mine, they fit our Steamers like they were custom made just for us.

[Sin_Tiger]

Nice. If I can offer a bit of advice from my own experience of going down this road, the flat bars on the top will vibrate and might even crack the welds to the tube, I'd replace them with light gauge tube.

with Ssevy, the Mosko Moto stuff is great.

Good luck with the project, always good to see a different take on a need.

[Sparky]

The reckless 80 is on my short list, Mosko were at the local bike show so I got to see their stuff in person. The new reckless 80 will not be available until later this year unfortunately.  Wolfman also have some nice stuff.

I used flat bar as it fits between the side cover and muffler without having to cut the cover I will keep an eye on the flat bar welds over time.

[Sin_Tiger]

I've got the older version "Back Country" I think they're called, tough!

All the versions of racks I've seen use a piece of flat bar going forward or down from the bolt point with tube welded onto it at 90 deg going out to the frame but that's designed to take the weight of hard cases. Might be worth having a cross seat strap as a safety just until you feel happy with the security.

[nickjtc]

......, the flat bars on the top will vibrate and might even crack the welds to the tube

Vibrate? A Steamer? You jest, surely 

[ssevy]

The reckless 80 is on my short list, Mosko were at the local bike show so I got to see their stuff in person. The new reckless 80 will not be available until later this year unfortunately.  Wolfman also have some nice stuff.

If you can wait, I think the Reckless 80's are worth your time. I have several thousand wet and dry miles on mine, and they have been great.

I also like your handle; reminds me of an old joke about a dog with brass balls and no hind legs

[bemusedinsojo]

I too needed racks for my Steamer. After looking around, and looking in my wallet, I decided I would have to make some also. I made them from 1/2 in conduit and some square tubing. I don't have a welder so I had to be creative (remember, no money). Just like you I am just using soft luggage so the racks don't need to be too strong. I like that your hoop is shiny. I want a shiny hoop.

BTW this is my first post. So, hello from the Salt Lake City, Utah metro area. I tried to post a photo but my world suddenly slowed down. When I get out of the molasses I will.

[nickjtc]

BTW this is my first post. So, hello from the Salt Lake City, Utah metro area. I tried to post a photo but my world suddenly slowed down. When I get out of the molasses I will.

Welcome!

[Sparky]

I got the final pieces welded and did a test assembly.  Last night I cleaned up all the welds with a flapper wheel in a grinder, I felt like a real hippy bike builder with sparks flying  , they will get dropped off for powder coating this afternoon.

[nickjtc]

Very nicely done; good job 

[Sparky]

Very nicely done; good job 

Thanks.

I could play in the garage or watch the Canucks lose, garage won and the Canucks didn't.

[JayDub]

Good job, looks like they'll handle soft luggage OK, and much less obtrusive as some of them on the market.
- you should learn to weld, there would be no stopping you then. 

[Bixxer Bob]

I had to zoom in, it looked like the brace was bolted to the swing arm.... 

[Sparky]

I had to zoom in, it looked like the brace was bolted to the swing arm.... 

It does look that way in the pic.  That would be an interesting first ride thinking the suspension shop did a crappy job rebuilding the shock as it feels a little stiff