Top Box Rack update

Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Hi,

Apparently no-one can supply a top box rack for my bike, which is one of probably only three or four in the country. I've spoken to Gutsibits - a specialist parts supplier for Moto Guzzi, and they tell me that they don't know of a rack that fits my bike.

This delays my plans to join up with a local charity called Blood Bikes, who stipulate that a rack is obligatory due to regulations carrying blood products and the like. Plus I'd like to fit a top box anyway for the practicality side of things.

So, I was wondering if anyone has come across a similar problem with their bike, and found a solution? I'm sure I could modify an existing rack and mount it by drilling through the grab rail, but if there is an alternative I would be glad to hear of it.

I've attached a photo of my grab rail to help anyone with suggestions, plus a pic I found of someone with an identical bike who has managed it - or maybe it was an available accessory back in the day....

https://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/819/dsc6490.jpg

https://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/43/4078014750stradaimagecr.jpg

Any help gratefully appreciated!

Nick_Giles · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 01 Jan 2012 Karma :

.
Would throw over panniers be OK for them.?

Nick
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Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

I thought they had fully hi-viz and lighted up fleet bikes that you used? Didn't realise they expected you to use your own bike.
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Bezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Karma :

Looks like the the owner has just drilled and bolted a topbox mountplate to thetop of the grabrail then used a couple of struts off it to make it fully secure, doesn't look technical or a big job to do something similar on yours.
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Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB400-N-Super-Dream-78-81-Black-Universal-Rack-Carrier-Twin-Shock-Models-/180987790252?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2a23b683ac#ht_2639wt_1161
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Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

If you buy one of those racks I linked to, you can have it sorted by the weekend.
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Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Ripp3rCrust · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Karma :

These guys don't need a topbox, just a seriously rockin' riff!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DDmLTJw2MWg

Seems strange though that a top box would suffice for carrying blood products in an audit sense, the vans at the bloodbank where I work that carry blood products are all on contronics and temperature mapped to ensure that they never stray out of accepted levels.
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Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Had a look, Shaft, and it won't fit as it's about 100mm too narrow at the front end. I can't see it bending out that far, so I'm still looking at other alternatives. Seen one on ebay that looks a possibility, so I'm waiting for measurements to see if it's anywhere near.

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Thanks for your input, Shaft. You've made me rethink....
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Currently Moto Guzzi 750 Strada, Moto Guzzi V35 Florida, previously Honda CB125T, RD250LC, RD80MX

Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Update

I bought a rack from a breakers yard, and it's a surprisingly close fit. I just need to make four small brackets to match up to mounting points on my bike, and....this is the bit I'm inexperienced in.....bend the main top tube in slightly...

On the top u-shaped tube I need to reduce the gap between the two mounting points from 34cm to 28 cm. I've been doing a bit of googling and come up with a method of filling it with dry sand, plugging both ends, and heating before slowly bending.

I really don't want to make a mess of this, and would appreciate anyone's experienced input before I have a go. The tubing is 19mm outer diameter with 2mm thickness. I'm not overly concerned about discolouration of the paint as I'll be having it powder coated afterwards, or maybe Hammerite it myself.

Please feel free to shoot me down in flames if I'm heading for a bodge!

https://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2225/lkgc.jpg
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Currently Moto Guzzi 750 Strada, Moto Guzzi V35 Florida, previously Honda CB125T, RD250LC, RD80MX

Nexus Icon · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Karma :

The sand method is to prevent it creasing whilst bending and it can work well if you pack it tight and plug it well.

Give it a go. Unless it broke the bank you don't have much to lose.
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Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

MaybeGuy · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Karma :

I've got a complete ventura rack setup for my R6 that you're more than welcome to as long as you can collect it. Maybe you could fudge it on there.
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Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Pedd · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Karma :

I ride for bloodbikes and use the charity's own fleet, atm thats st1300's fully livered up (ex police) . The bikes have bespoke racks made and fitted to the bikes these are mounted to the subframe over the passenger seat (as they never carry passengers) Blood or plasma etc is supplied by the blood banks in there industry standard temperature controlled boxes which are in turn in a weatherproof carry, some blood bike groups do use there own vehicles (ours does not) and so have racks fitted, these are needed as you cannot open or transfer any contents of a sealed box at all so you need to be able to transport the boxes. there are times when panniers are fine to use depending on what you are transporting, we transport blood,plasma,samples,equipment, donor milk etc etc.

HTH

https://nwbloodbikes.org/
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Mark312 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Top Box Rack *update*

Top Box Rack update