best way to mount luggage rack
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Some good suggestions on another forum board (can't paste link here - H-D Forums filters the link out):
From Mr Cujo who also posts on this Forum
Tip:
If you want it to look stock you probably want to measure how far forward the rack is on the lid from another bike.
Also the idea of removing the lid makes a lot of sense. Great excuse to upgrade to the Premium Tour-Pak Hinges (79211-08A).
Another local link: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...tall-help.html
From Mr Cujo who also posts on this Forum
Tip:
1- Take the lid off and put it on the workbench..Easier to handle and it's level.
2- Can the template- It sucks
3- Blue painters tape, sharp pencil, accurate ruler or tapemeasure.
4- Align, walk back, look, mark, measure one last time, look one last time, drill.
5- Don't hesitate...Mark and cut. It's like pulling off a band-aid, it only hurts for a second if you go fast.
I particularly like the idea of laying it out with masking take under the rack. Once marked out you can double check alignment with large calipers (like these: http://www.dickblick.com/products/steel-calipers/) if you have some handy. I'd also suggeset picking the appropriate drill bits to first drill a pilot hole and work up to the final hole size - in 2 steps - depending on the type of drills you're using. You might want to work the details out on a piece of thin plywood or plastic first.2- Can the template- It sucks
3- Blue painters tape, sharp pencil, accurate ruler or tapemeasure.
4- Align, walk back, look, mark, measure one last time, look one last time, drill.
5- Don't hesitate...Mark and cut. It's like pulling off a band-aid, it only hurts for a second if you go fast.
If you want it to look stock you probably want to measure how far forward the rack is on the lid from another bike.
Also the idea of removing the lid makes a lot of sense. Great excuse to upgrade to the Premium Tour-Pak Hinges (79211-08A).
Another local link: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...tall-help.html
Last edited by davessworks; May 21, 2012 at 08:04 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Syracuse, NY
Yeah, the template really sucks. Throw it away.
I pretty much put strips of painter's tape or masking tape over where the holes would be drilled, measured about 8 times, gave it some visual looks from different angles and the drilling was sooooo easy. It was hard on my nerves as I didn't wanna ruin the lid, but was so easy to do....
I pretty much put strips of painter's tape or masking tape over where the holes would be drilled, measured about 8 times, gave it some visual looks from different angles and the drilling was sooooo easy. It was hard on my nerves as I didn't wanna ruin the lid, but was so easy to do....
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Lots of good advice. Don't think anyone mentioned this but I also made sure I put some stronger tape "inside" the lid to lessen any chipping etc. I agree with: Measure Measure Measure!!
1HarleyGuy1
1HarleyGuy1
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 943
Likes: 41
The provided template was pretty much useless. I went to the local dealer and measured the luggage rack placement on new bikes. I applied wide masking tape where the feet contact the top of the tour pak and placed the rack in accordance with the measurements I took earlier. I stood back and looked at it several times from all angles before I started drilling.
Others have removed the lid so they can keep the rack from sliding around during installation. I was able to put the bike on its center stand to keep it level and do the install without removing the lid. After getting the rack lined up properly it was a simple matter of using a pencil to trace around the legs and mark the center of the holes for drilling. The tour pak lid was very easy to drill through and the bit didn't walk at all. I installed the rubber washers without applying any silicone. I poured some water over the legs to check for leaks and found none. The whole job required less than an hour. The most critical part of the install is making sure you position the rack where you want it before drilling that first hole.
Others have removed the lid so they can keep the rack from sliding around during installation. I was able to put the bike on its center stand to keep it level and do the install without removing the lid. After getting the rack lined up properly it was a simple matter of using a pencil to trace around the legs and mark the center of the holes for drilling. The tour pak lid was very easy to drill through and the bit didn't walk at all. I installed the rubber washers without applying any silicone. I poured some water over the legs to check for leaks and found none. The whole job required less than an hour. The most critical part of the install is making sure you position the rack where you want it before drilling that first hole.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
Took mine to the dealer to have the rack mounted along with the premium hinges. Yes, I paid, but I didn't have to wonder, worry or sweat how I was going to do it. But that's just me.
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