Author Topic: Tired of Staring at Bags...  (Read 6484 times)

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heloego

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on: December 02, 2013, 02:24:50 pm
...that I couldn't hang on the bike.  >:(
Since I haven't found a proper rack anywhere for my C5, I figured "Why not make my own out of 1/2" EMT Conduit?"
First concept was a single bar wrapped from one upper shock bolt around to the other:

and ended up with this, with some 1/2" foam tube insulation wrapped around the trailing end:

After deciding to prevent possible damage to the doghouse or mudguard, I fabricated a couple of uprights that will attach to the lateral mudguard stay, acquired a few clamps and some hardware from a local hardware store:

and contrived this:


I like the simplicity of the first version, but also like the serious stability of the second. I guess once I make up up my feeble mind I'll paint it, paint it, paint it,...paint it black. 8)
Then get to work on an attachable luggage carrier to fit over the top of the mudguard. :o
Or maybe just re-make the whole thing... :-\
« Last Edit: December 02, 2013, 02:37:44 pm by heloego »
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D the D

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Reply #1 on: December 02, 2013, 02:55:14 pm
Nice work.  I'd be worried the unsupported one with foam would rub the paint off the fender.
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GreenMachine

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Reply #2 on: December 02, 2013, 03:33:35 pm
+ 1 on what D n D said..Did enough EMT in my life but nothing like this...I like how you flatten the ends for securing it..Saddle Bags won't be flying off anytime soon..Good Job..GM
Oh Magoo you done it again


Catbird

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Reply #3 on: December 02, 2013, 04:00:26 pm
Very nice -- I like.
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kammersangerin

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Reply #4 on: December 02, 2013, 04:10:20 pm
Hey, excellent job. Make another one for me and I will gladly buy is from you. I think adding a flat platform across the top would probably make it beyond awesome.


Craig McClure

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Reply #5 on: December 02, 2013, 04:33:54 pm
That's pretty good work. Enclosing a picture of my rack which I like, because I bungee a bag on top of it, more than I use my big bags. I bought it from Enfield Gear.
Best Wishes, Craig McClure


Desi Bike

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Reply #6 on: December 03, 2013, 12:47:42 am
Oh my Craig. I like your rack (lol).... Where did you source out the bar mounted turny lights?
میں نہیں چاہتا کہ ایک اچار
میں صرف اپنی موٹر سائیکل پر سوار کرنا چاہتے ہیں


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #7 on: December 03, 2013, 12:51:56 am
Really nice, clean work from such simple materials :)


Craig McClure

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Reply #8 on: December 03, 2013, 02:11:44 am
Quote from: Desi Bike link=topic=17702.msg197366#msg197366 date=1386031662        Where did you source out the bar mounted turny lights?
[/quote
They are faithful reproduction Hella lights (popular in 50's & 60's) I first encountered them on my old BMW's.  These I ordered from Danny @ BLUEMOON SCOOTERS in Viet Nam. They were reasonable & had long enough mounting stalks, that I could adapt bar end mirrors as well. They are still in business.
Best Wishes, Craig McClure


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #9 on: December 03, 2013, 04:16:55 am
How did they mount?  Do you have the original bars with threaded ends?  And how did you run the wires?

Scott


crush02342002

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Reply #10 on: December 03, 2013, 04:32:39 am
do I see another electrician in our midst ;)

just an idea but you could possibly sand blast your rack and have it chromed to finish it off. it would look stellar


Craig McClure

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Reply #11 on: December 03, 2013, 04:15:15 pm
How did they mount?  Do you have the original bars with threaded ends?  And how did you run the wires?

Scott
Best Wishes, Craig McClure


Craig McClure

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Reply #12 on: December 03, 2013, 04:19:04 pm
Don't want to hijack this thread. Will Start a new one.
Best Wishes, Craig McClure


heloego

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Reply #13 on: December 04, 2013, 05:45:08 am
Thanks all for the encouragement. Once I get this thing painted (sometime in January) I'm planning another design combining a top rack for luggage. It'd really make a difference next Summer when I do a Colorado run.
Quote
Enclosing a picture of my rack which I like, because I bungee a bag on top of it, more than I use my big bags. I bought it from Enfield Gear.
I can see why you like it Craig! I have something similar in mind for the C5.
Quote
do I see another electrician in our midst ;)
just an idea but you could possibly sand blast your rack and have it chromed to finish it off. it would look stellar

No, I'm not an electrician, though I've done some wiring for the house. The conduit was a much better option than 1/2" pipe. The whole thing only cost about $20 in parts/tubing. The Tubing bender was around $35, but a damned good investment. I did think about blasting and chroming, but since the purpose is so utilitarian, I'll be going with gloss black and keep most of the chrome up front.  :)

@kammersangerin... check your PMs

« Last Edit: December 04, 2013, 05:55:40 am by heloego »
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'06 Electra X AVL w/32mm Mikuni and Gold Star system.


Oddjon

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Reply #14 on: December 07, 2013, 02:58:07 pm
Nice job Heloege!  Craig, I see you removed rear indicators, any plans for replacement?  I have that same rack but left it off due to indicator interference.
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DanB

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Reply #15 on: December 07, 2013, 03:11:24 pm
Quote
Nice job Heloege!  Craig, I see you removed rear indicators...  I have that same rack but left it off due to indicator interference.

I also have the same rack and had to relocated the indicators. I moved them down due to interference. I'm still using the big old dog house, and just drilled new holes and plugged the old ones with plastic plugs from a local hardware supplier.

My pic is not so great but here it is
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Craig McClure

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Reply #16 on: December 07, 2013, 08:53:11 pm
Nice job Heloege!  Craig, I see you removed rear indicators, any plans for replacement?  I have that same rack but left it off due to indicator interference.
NO, I like my rack more than the rear blinkers, I could get tiny ones - but my Hellas ARE all I need to be legal.
Best Wishes, Craig McClure


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Reply #17 on: December 07, 2013, 09:05:11 pm
I'm still using the big old dog house.

My pic is not so great but here it is
[/quote}
HELLO DAN, I use a zippered soft bag bungeed to my identical Rack. I don't think my Rack would be stout enough for that huge hamper you're using-once loaded. My own feeling is, that large an object(tail) to the rear of the Moto is dangerous in the event of severe cross winds, or need of a clean dismount in a fall. I feel obnoxious for mentioning it, but it scares ME, & I wouldn't be a pal if I didn't express concern. Forgive me.

Best Wishes, Craig McClure


heloego

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Reply #18 on: December 08, 2013, 05:19:00 am
Thanks, Oddjon!
I'm up to Version 3.0 now (A combination of V1.0 and V2.0). Once painted Black it should be good to go. Looking for the right Pelican Case for the top.   ;)

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Royalista

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Reply #19 on: December 08, 2013, 07:58:57 pm
Wow, looks extremely good and very practical too.  8)
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heloego

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Reply #20 on: December 09, 2013, 03:50:08 am
Gracias, amigo!
Final fit check of my Case and Bags. Will paint later.


« Last Edit: December 09, 2013, 03:54:45 am by heloego »
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D the D

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Reply #21 on: December 10, 2013, 03:53:10 am
It does make a clean package.  Nice work!
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High On Octane

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Reply #22 on: December 10, 2013, 12:38:29 pm
Nice work Heloego!
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heloego

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Reply #23 on: December 10, 2013, 11:51:28 pm
Thanks!
First paint drying as we, uh, speak. 2nd coat in about an hour.
Should have final pic(s) this evening or tomorrow.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #24 on: December 10, 2013, 11:57:10 pm
I really like that bend near the shock mount to raise it up.  It's amazing what an ingenious person gets up to with free time and cheap materials :)


heloego

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Reply #25 on: December 11, 2013, 01:28:12 am
Gotta ennertain m'sef somehow.  :)
That 1/2" tube bender is a royal pain.  :o
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #26 on: December 11, 2013, 03:41:44 am
I've seen them bolted to benches.  Then it stays stationary and you press on the tubing to bend it.

Scott


heloego

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Reply #27 on: December 11, 2013, 03:52:05 am
Hadn't thought of that... :o
Here's the finished product:






Now I can get married.  ;)
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Royalista

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Reply #28 on: December 11, 2013, 11:53:02 am
Cool  8) is too weak a word to describe it. Molto bene.
If the cake at the wedding is as good...  ;D
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heloego

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Reply #29 on: December 11, 2013, 01:30:45 pm
Muchisimas Gracias, Royalista.
Kind of a let-down, in a way, knowing I'm finished with this one.  :)
I wonder now if there's good use I can put to all the scrap tubing from this project... :o
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mattsz

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Reply #30 on: December 11, 2013, 01:48:57 pm
Looks great!  How do the bags actually attach?


heloego

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Reply #31 on: December 11, 2013, 01:53:59 pm
I went back to the "throw-over" mode on the bags, so they're just hanging normally. The rack upright combined with the back retainer straps and box weight do a good job keeping them from shifting.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #32 on: December 11, 2013, 06:09:41 pm
No point in stopping now, it's too cold to ride.  What else can you build with 1/2" tubing and too much time?

Scott


heloego

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Reply #33 on: December 12, 2013, 06:53:06 am
Just got lucky this hitch. Actually had the time to finish before vacation. Next three weeks will be spent in San Diego, then back to Albuquerque to build a cage for the new missus.  ;)
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crush02342002

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Reply #34 on: December 12, 2013, 12:44:07 pm
excellent work with the carrier...To tell the truth Iv had a hard time just trying to teach an apprentice how to bend a 90 on 1/2" emt much less compound bends like you have.




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heloego

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Reply #35 on: December 12, 2013, 02:49:07 pm
High praise from someone who works with conduit on regular basis. Muchas gracias!
Though closer inspection of the bends would show the alternate ones are slightly flattened because they weren't done as smoothly as the the others.
The tool I bought from Home Depot is a PITA to use, and the "0" degree mark is way different than the one for my aluminum tubing bender I use at work.
If I was to do this on a regular basis I'd need a hydraulic press and some bending accessories.
Hmmm.... Harbor Freight?  ???
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crush02342002

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Reply #36 on: December 12, 2013, 03:37:40 pm
flat spots and kinks happen (in my experience at least) cause of either not enough foot pressure on the heel of the bender or the type of bender used. Iv used some aluminum shoed hand benders that would leave more of a flat spot than others. However all hand benders leave a certain flat spot just cause of the way it bends the pipe.


GreenMachine

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Reply #37 on: December 12, 2013, 04:10:12 pm
I was always amazed how guys who did conduit on a daily basis would just make a few quick measurements and start running pipe...You could always tell a pro from the amateur by looking at the amount of breaks/connectors...Never a fan of back to back 90's though as it usually screwed the next guy who tried to use it, especially without a zip line...
Oh Magoo you done it again


crush02342002

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Reply #38 on: December 12, 2013, 04:52:07 pm
I was always amazed how guys who did conduit on a daily basis would just make a few quick measurements and start running pipe...You could always tell a pro from the amateur by looking at the amount of breaks/connectors...Never a fan of back to back 90's though as it usually screwed the next guy who tried to use it, especially without a zip line...

Ill do anything to avoid a back to back 90, even if it looks like crap. its just so hard to pull through given the amount of conductors and size pipe.