Ken's Solo Rack Installation

I got one of Kanadian Ken's Solo Racks. All of Ken's products are top notch. Great fit and finish. I already had his fender eliminator on my 07 Anniversary Edition for it's clean looks. The Solo Rack falls more under the "Function Column". Well, let's begin the assembly process........... :fing02:

This is what you get (and like the fender eliminator, a shame to cover up the VFR cut-away......

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These holes line up with your grab handle bolts.....

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These holes are for attaching the GIVI lock plate......

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You will need to remove these plastic caps from the grab handle allen bolts.....

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Use a small screwdriver to carefully pry them off.....

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This is what the caps and allen bolts under them look like.....

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Next, get a 6 MM allen wrench......

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Remove the 4 allen bolts holding the grab handles on........

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All four have flat washers and look like this......

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The threaded rear frame bosses will look like this after removal......

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You will need longer bolts. I liked the thought of some 12 MM chrome bolts because of the really clean look, and better load spread with their larger surface. I saved the stock VFR flat washers and used them under them. I'm not sure what the Honda Part # is, but these bolts are the rear fender strut bolts for a VTX1300C......

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You will need a 12 MM socket for these......

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Very clean (IMO) look after using them......

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Bolt on your GIVI mounting plate for your favorite GIVI box, and you're ready to go......

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And with Ken's Fender Eliminator......

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I chose a small Part # E-30 GIVI 30 litre capacity box. I've learned to pack fairly light, even for week-long trips. I went up and down Monteagle Mountain today riding, and going there to take pics of the Trail of Tears Ride. I could tell no difference, even with the box loaded. Ken's mount doesn't affect the bike's handling like the standard GIVI mount, because it keeps the weight over the rear wheel instead of off the rear of the bike. Only draw back is that you can no longer 2-up with a passenger.......Hence, "SOLO" rack. Really great product....Send Ken a PM, and get one, you'll be glad you did....... :fing02:

So is that a left hand allen key or a right hand allen key, couldn't quite tell from the picture :biggrin:

THanks for the HOW TO write up SKuuter, I"M sure that helps some to understand how it works on a 6th gen.

5th gens are a bit different - but still real easy to install.

I have a couple of 5th gen racks ready to go, but I'm almost out of 6th gens. I can get another production run done - if there is interest.

:fing02:

[image: View Post]radar, on Sep 20 2008, 05:17 PM, said:

So is that a left hand allen key or a right hand allen key, couldn't quite tell from the picture :biggrin:


Well I went to my Snap-On Tool catalog to look up the number.......it said ambidexterous. :biggrin:


vince

ps I think Skutter must be moonlighting as a Snap-On Tool dealer.....how else could he afford all his toys?

Nice write up Skuuter, Just 1 question..

You havent took the RWB to run the dragon yet!!! Well that I know of..

So why does it have a US129 stcker on it?


Poser !!!!

i know the ninja's and ruck's have been there..

Nice write up though.. When you doing the
Darth Bling gsxr mirrors...
http://media.putfile.com/Darth-Bling-mirro...ng-lights-on-06
:biggrin:

Why have a sticker, when you're there all the time? Bastages! LOL.

[image: View Post]Rivcyko, on Sep 21 2008, 03:06 AM, said:

Why have a sticker, when you're there all the time? Bastages! LOL.


Bastege ??? HaH... Where were you tonite ? HUH ???

Im sitting 20 miles away n went to the bar to shoot pooll and You (travis), Dale, Or Elllizilla never called or came by to get me !!!!! some vfrd Brothern you guys/gals are :goofy:

Just wait till next year at Tmac buddy's ...... :biggrin:

Probably the best thing I've been called all week Travis, heh, heh, heh. It's been there Sam...Gold Wing, VFR, Ninja, Ruckus, they've all been there. The VFR went up to the Dragon and back one weekend when we ran up to Townsend. I got out early on Saturday morning and ran to the store and back. I went particularly to get a Gold Wing long sleeve shirt I had seen a coupla' weeks before on the Ninjas......got to talking to some folks outside (imagine that... :rolleyes: ), and forgot to go back in and get the shirt...so had to make a trip back over there, we were on the VFR and Ninja next time (gotta' keep em' rotated when you're afflicted with MBS)........... :fing02: Riding the Dragon isn't a "biggie" with me...first time in 1971, and more times than I can remember since....... :rolleyes:

Anytime Ken, hope it helps some Folks............. :fing02:

Most all of my tools are Snap-on Vince......between doing mechanic work (before turning the business into used auto parts only), building race cars, motorcycles, etc., etc., etc. I learned if you're not sharing your tools with anyone else, Snap-on is the way to go...less down time from breakage and wear............ :fing02:

Nice write up. The only thing I did differently was to add some spacers between the rack and the handles so the rack wouldn't be pressing into the handles. The rack works great and is very well made.

[image: View Post]jev, on Sep 21 2008, 08:07 AM, said:

Nice write up. The only thing I did differently was to add some spacers between the rack and the handles so the rack wouldn't be pressing into the handles. The rack works great and is very well made.

THANKS.......I started to do this, and even found 3 (what usually happens... :biggrin: ) in one of my "junk" boxes. They would have raised it a small amount higher, so I figured it was fine as is. The bolts I chose used full threads also......... :fing02:

Props to Ken on his 6th gen rack. I love mine...had to drill new holes for my Givi, but that was not a big deal at all....between this and a tankbag I'm good to go.

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