Post by hoverhead on Oct 9, 2020 15:11:48 GMT 10
A new bike had new panniers but no top box. While panniers may be enough for a day ride, they weren't big enough for the sleep turbo charger I have when going away over night. Curiously, the manufacturer supplies a top box and mounting system but also stipulates that it is not to be used in conjunction with panniers. I wonder if anyone told the Tour de France TV broadcasters as they had a posse of camera bikes fitted with both.
Anyway, a cheaper alternative was considered that would allow use a gift Gearsack from my daughter that was used on my XZ550 (falling into neglect now) on my new bike. It would need a rack, I called around and emailed the manufacturer. They didn't make their (so called custom) rack frame for my model bike. There was nothing left for it but to look for a second hand one. What I thought would be a long search was completed inside 30 minutes and for $30 plus shipping, arrived three days later. It had a couple of rusted bolts but they would have been swapped out anyway.
A problem came when I tried to test fit it. It was too wide to fit between the pannier rack frames. It was actually wider that the one on my bike. What to do? Fit the narrow one on the new bike.
Great idea but for the fact the original was a tad too wide also. Some modifications will need to me made.
Using lock down as an excuse I decided to do some engineering. Breaking out my Cobra 2000 oxy acet torch I did a bit of cutting (after a bit of pondering, well a lot of pondering really), I did a bit of welding, a bit of grinding, sanding and painting. Side note, black spray paint has gone the same way toilet paper did in the early days, a lot of projects have come off the back burner it seems.
So, I've fitted it and all that's left to do now is go ride with it. Can't wait.
Anyway, a cheaper alternative was considered that would allow use a gift Gearsack from my daughter that was used on my XZ550 (falling into neglect now) on my new bike. It would need a rack, I called around and emailed the manufacturer. They didn't make their (so called custom) rack frame for my model bike. There was nothing left for it but to look for a second hand one. What I thought would be a long search was completed inside 30 minutes and for $30 plus shipping, arrived three days later. It had a couple of rusted bolts but they would have been swapped out anyway.
A problem came when I tried to test fit it. It was too wide to fit between the pannier rack frames. It was actually wider that the one on my bike. What to do? Fit the narrow one on the new bike.
Great idea but for the fact the original was a tad too wide also. Some modifications will need to me made.
Using lock down as an excuse I decided to do some engineering. Breaking out my Cobra 2000 oxy acet torch I did a bit of cutting (after a bit of pondering, well a lot of pondering really), I did a bit of welding, a bit of grinding, sanding and painting. Side note, black spray paint has gone the same way toilet paper did in the early days, a lot of projects have come off the back burner it seems.
So, I've fitted it and all that's left to do now is go ride with it. Can't wait.
