It's a PITA to build a rack to fit...

[image: Posted Image]
...where the stock grab handles fit. Got it figured out and it's sturdy. I gave it plenty of testing.

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

Nice work!!!

Looks good.

Yep - nice work.

Nice tight, close lines......

Great job! I wish I could weld.

Looks good :fing02:

Have you been TIG welding very long? As a side note you need to clean the metal very thoroughly when TIG welding to avoid any porosity. Otherwise it looks like you've got the hang of it.

The similar-looking rear racks made by Renntec are still available for about UKP60, AFAIK. They sometimes show up on eBay, too. On the FL-FP they have side tubes extending forward to the Frankenbolts, but on the FR-FV models (as well as the RC46 models) they mount using only the grab handle bolts.

Ciao,

Sorta re-inventing the wheel there, imho. And I certainly wouldn't be putting too much stuff in that top box when the rack is cantilevered that far. Just my 2c worth.

Looks like it was a PITA to build... nicely done :fing02:

that was a smart idea placing a brace under the seat. If the welds hold (not a jab, i can barely make metal stick together long enough for it to fall apart), you should have a groovy set up. I like how low it is.

[image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]JTG, on 12 December 2009 - 02:00 AM, said:

Looks good :fing02:

Have you been TIG welding very long? As a side note you need to clean the metal very thoroughly when TIG welding to avoid any porosity. Otherwise it looks like you've got the hang of it.
Yeah, the metal I am using is some cheap contaminated stuff, so I have some porosity in it. Since I am grinding and blending, I don't worry about it too much.

When I use good metal like 4130 or cold-rolled, I have beautiful welds. I have welded on bicycle and motorcycle frames w/o problems.

[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 12 December 2009 - 05:56 AM, said:

Sorta re-inventing the wheel there, imho. And I certainly wouldn't be putting too much stuff in that top box when the rack is cantilevered that far. Just my 2c worth.
I hear you, but I actually hung off the back of the rack with all my weight (225) and bounced on it, repeatedly. You can lift the rear of the bike with this rack and it doesn't move. Believe me when I say I test it. It will hold. It's 1/2" solid rod, it isn't going to break. Otherwise, I wouldn't use it.

I have made a few racks in my time.

And as for re-inventing the wheel, this cost me basically no money. Find me a rack at that price for a 93...

[image: View Post]btl68, on 12 December 2009 - 11:33 AM, said:

[image: View Post]JTG, on 12 December 2009 - 02:00 AM, said:

Looks good :fing02:

Have you been TIG welding very long? As a side note you need to clean the metal very thoroughly when TIG welding to avoid any porosity. Otherwise it looks like you've got the hang of it.
Yeah, the metal I am using is some cheap contaminated stuff, so I have some porosity in it. Since I am grinding and blending, I don't worry about it too much.

When I use good metal like 4130 or cold-rolled, I have beautiful welds. I have welded on bicycle and motorcycle frames w/o problems.

[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 12 December 2009 - 05:56 AM, said:

Sorta re-inventing the wheel there, imho. And I certainly wouldn't be putting too much stuff in that top box when the rack is cantilevered that far. Just my 2c worth.
I hear you, but I actually hung off the back of the rack with all my weight (225) and bounced on it, repeatedly. You can lift the rear of the bike with this rack and it doesn't move. Believe me when I say I test it. It will hold. It's 1/2" solid rod, it isn't going to break. Otherwise, I wouldn't use it.

I have made a few racks in my time.

And as for re-inventing the wheel, this cost me basically no money. Find me a rack at that price for a 93...

Nice work! It's infinitely more satisfying to make something useful with your own two hands than to buy it. Good job!

Very Nice :fing02: , I wish I had that skill!

great Job
Gary

[image: View Post]btl68, on 12 December 2009 - 11:33 AM, said:

And as for re-inventing the wheel, this cost me basically no money. Find me a rack at that price for a 93...



I agree - I ended up doing the same thing to fit a Givi Wingrack on my 93.

Tris

PS This is my first post here - so HI :fing02:

Very sleek
Great product design

And good for you for going the more costly route of powder coating over just paint

Really great job, looks like its straight from the factory. I don't think you'll find one as sturdy either

Great work!
Man, I wish I could weld :unsure:

[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 12 December 2009 - 05:56 AM, said:

Sorta re-inventing the wheel there, imho. And I certainly wouldn't be putting too much stuff in that top box when the rack is cantilevered that far. Just my 2c worth.

SW Motech makes the same cantilevered racks for 6th gens. They are not even made from a solid rod, but a hollow tube. They are as sturdy as anything. Never had a problem.

: hi there,nice metal work.my racks a renntec but the finish is flaking off not happy! :unsure:

I put some finished pictures up in the original post. I powdercoated it last w/e, using the cheaper Eastwood powdercoating kit I have used for a few years now. I think it turned out okay and blends well with the lines of the bike.

When the weather gets better I'll take more pics outside.

[image: View Post]btl68, on 31 December 2009 - 12:57 PM, said:

I put some finished pictures up in the original post. I powdercoated it last w/e, using the cheaper Eastwood powdercoating kit I have used for a few years now. I think it turned out okay and blends well with the lines of the bike.

When the weather gets better I'll take more pics outside.


Terrific job :fing02:

Very nice job!

Got it out today for full view pics. Now all I need is a right side fairing vent, two new tires and warm weather!

[image: Posted Image]
[image: Posted Image]
[image: Posted Image]

Really nice work! That's exactly the type of rack I've been looking for. I'm going to mock up a similar design for my 5th Gen and have my machinist brother build it where he works. Thanks for the inspiration!

:fing02: I'm impressed, great job :fing02:

Very clever design. That'll be perfect to go out on some long trips when the weather smartens up.
I certainly wish I knew how to weld and fabricate things like that.

OK, have to ask. Where's the backrest option and how much?

Larry
VFRrider

I think it's great. The white version is one of my favorites. I saw one several years ago with polished frame and wheels. I was in love. I'm a believer in bags on our bikes. I think you are on a great start. Now make some side racks and you have it all.

Thanks to all for the kind words!

Can you build one for me? If so, how much would you charge?

IG

[image: View Post]indianagenius, on 09 January 2010 - 05:54 PM, said:

Can you build one for me? If so, how much would you charge?

IG

It's just a one-off, so no racks for sale.

Again, nice work - that's a sexy machine you've got!! :beer:

Do you happen to have some pics of the individual components before being welded up? Posted Image

[image: View Post]Knife, on 11 January 2010 - 01:19 PM, said:

Do you happen to have some pics of the individual components before being welded up? Posted Image
No, I sure don't. It started life as an aluminum square crossbar to replace the hand grab crossbar, then a couple of pieces here, tack, check, weld, then there, tack, weld, and so on. No joke, I think there are 26-30 pieces or so welded up into there boxing it in for strength and whatnot. It'd be a nightmare to duplicate exactly. It all had to fit inside that area and clear the underneath of the seat when it's installed and be strong enough for the top box.

Awesome looking rack mate. I wish I was able to weld and make a similar one for my bike. I've a set of Shad luggage brought with me from the UK and can't mount it onto the VFR.

As an update since I built this rack...




I have about 12,000 miles on it. I always have my GIVI 36 case on it, with a minimum of a few pounds worth of tools in a bag. On my last 2 trips in the last 5 weeks, I have had it full of stuff. Beer, water, tools, rocks...you name it. I just weighed it yesterday when I got back from a week-long, 4k trip and the GIVI box weighed 26 pounds full of stuff.


The rack is in perfect shape and has held up just fine.


So for the naysayers... :biggrin:





I am paranoid and I tend to over-build stuff. :fing02:

.

Would this design be compatible with a 5th gen?

All I can say is it fits a 3rd gen. I doubt it's fit a 5th gen, and w/o a bike here to fit one to, I'd say no.

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 22 November 2010 - 02:28 PM, said:

Would this design be compatible with a 5th gen?



http://www.thurn-mot...ack-rc46_1.html

:fing02: