Luggage Rack Extension Help?
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 376
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From: North Central Maryland
Luggage Rack Extension Help?
I want to extend my luggage rack out about 6-7" to stop my tour bag from sagging. Any suggestions?
2009 FXSTB
Standard sissy bar backrest/luggage rack.
2009 FXSTB
Standard sissy bar backrest/luggage rack.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I added a quick detach luggage rack to the old 99 EG and, like you, found out it would not support the back 1/3 of my tour bag. I tried several things but found that a legth of the vinyl covered shelving (by Closet Maid I think) with the curved edges on both sides fit over my rack snuggly. I used some short pieces of velcro strips to attach the piece to my rack and it worked well. Not the most attractive since the color is white but I remove it at my destination. The coating kept it from scratching my chrome rack. I will add a word of caution regarding the color...DO NOT attempt to paint it, it turns into a very sticky mess. I do believe one of the catalogues sells a hard plastic platform that can be attached but can't remember where I saw it. Good luck in your search.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Have you thought about stiffening your bag? I made a cardboard liner for mine and used it on one trip, it worked fine. Since then I have replaced the cardboard with a sheet of vinyl from a shower surround.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 303
From: N. Tx.
Try a piece of wood. I used to attach a piece of plywood to my luggage rack to enlarge the surface area for larger bags. Cut the wood to the size you want then drill a few holes in it and put zip ties thru the holes to attach to the OEM rack. It works great, is cheap, and is light weight.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From:
You are on the right road. A soft bag mounted on a support that attaches firmly to the rear rack is the best bike luggage that I have ever used. The carrying capacity of my Sportster is maxed out--don't think any additional cargo would be safe. When empty, the bag folds and locks down to about an inch thick. And, the whole shebang comes off the bike in about a minute.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 12
From: Dayton, OH
I made a rack out of flat iron to the size I needed. It bolts to the sissy bar and the license plate bracket. Goes on and off in about 2 minute's and only cost $6.00 to make.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,508
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From: N. Tx.
3/8" works well...not too thick, not too thin. If you want to get fancy add some 1x2" trim around the edges to help seal the exposed ply and create a ledge. Or put a piece of black marine carpet on the top side to help reduce slipage.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
I took some aluminum tube and made a frame just larger than my luggage rack and a few inches longer. I took some aluminum plate and had it welded on the top of the frame. Gorilla glued some rubber (bought a heavy duty 48" truck mudflap-very thick)to the top. Drilled 4 holes and ran 4 1/4" ss bolts with fender washers and locknuts. The I ran some of that reflective red tape around the edge to give me better nighttime visibility. Very lightweight, easy to r & r and strong.
Last edited by glideridemike; Aug 12, 2009 at 03:52 PM.
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