Why no luggage racks?

Hello all,

I seem to be one of the many here who are looking for luggage racks. As far as I am concerned, a bike needs a luggage rack. For those of you who have been to Europe, 99% of bikes there have luggage racks because people there and around the world actually use their bikes as their primary vehicles.

Anybody have any ideas? How can we get one, make one, customize one, etc? There must be 20 of us here looking for racks.

I have a 1982 XJ 750. It needs a rack.

 

max of seca? my seca has the rack mounting tabs that are tapped for M8 (i think). made fabbing my on luggage a snap. I assume the max has similar or moutning points for things like spaz handle / sissybar, something like that.

 

You know, plenty of Americans use motorcycles as primary vehicles. An enormous amount do on this website.

 

(sorry)

 

I agree. I had to do a lot of searching and patient waiting to find one on ebay for my 550 Seca. Actually, the guy was selling a complete parts bike but he sold the rack to me separately and relisted the bike. Otherwise you have to get creative and build your own.

When I want to carry a lot with me I ride my Concours.

 

2 or 3 years ago I ordered a sissybar/backrest for my v max....it took 6 months to get here! I think Yamaha stopped producing them right about that time cause there weren't any available at the dealers until very recently, and a few NIB ones are starting to show up.

Maybe this is also the case with the XJ bikes and some new ones will hit the market soon. Seems a long shot, but.....perhaps???

 

Don't know a brand name. But my parts bike came with an 80s universal (low) passenger back rest / luggage rack.

It bolted right up. Other members had same combo with the high back rest. Below is the parts bike as purchased.

Fyi I installed the setup right away and swapped trunks.



P.s. I've also seen them on eBay occasionally

 

I'm confused. I saw an earlier version of this post, and was reading the replies. But this one is new and is missing the other replies.

Did I dream the other post?

 

Dan, original poster double posted both in "general" and in "xj modifacation"

 

Thanks buddhist. Found it: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=2 ... tml#296194

Not a dream.

Someone had mentioned Ventura racks so I was looking for the post so I could get the link.

http://www.ventura-mca.com/

 

This is a GSM "SportRack" a period aftermarket accessory. Although GSM is still in business they don't make motorcycle accessories any more. I found it on eBay.

 

gringo - find the twenty riders who are wanting racks and we can probably make this happen. I have been down this road already. I made custom moutning brackets for the luggage on 750 secas and posted them on this site. I had one guy swear up and down that there were a bunch of guys wanting them. I said I would make them up for him if he could verify the interest. He came back to me and said "what if I can only find three or four". Being the nice guy that I am I said "ok". Next thing I hear is it's only him wanting them. No way!

You come up with the twenty guys and we'll go from there.

 

I forgot to say it - Fitz, I love that bike!!! When I get my 550 together can I meet up with you somewhere to get dimensions off your luggage rack? I would like to duplicate that for my bike. Remember, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

 

Thanks; and certainly. You're only about 200mi away.

But that rack, while nearly ideal, made a goofy compromise in regards to its mounting points that's hard to explain. If you were to "duplicate" the rack, it would make a lot more sense to improve upon GSM's mounts and make them more like the original factory option part.

It's pretty hard to put into words, but if you were looking at the rack and the bike, it would be easy to explain.

 

Fitz - I think that rack you have ADDS to the looks of the bike. To me it just seems - I don't know - maybe like it BELONGS there or something. Like maybe that tail piece would look naked without it. I don't know exactly. All I can say is that I think it is way cool. Oh, and that pic by the river ...awesome!

 

My other 550 Seca does look kinda "incomplete" sitting next to it.

I really like the GSM; the factory rack was longer, and overhung the taillight. This one's the perfect size, and I agree it makes the bike look "finished." I was lucky to have found it.

Thanks. The pic was taken in the village park in Memphis, MI.

 

If I knew how to post a pick I would, I fabbed mine. I think my gallery might have one. I have trouble posting there too. it's not the server its me, cant find the right computer wrench just these dang buttons and clicky clicky.
I just had to carry stuff, it was a problem. I fixed it

 

bike-in-the-house, LOL! (in his gallery)

 

this is what i did for my suzuki, the same could be done on anything with a grab bar, i'd say 30 lbs would be it's limit but it's better than nothing

 

I've got a set very similar to the one Metal_Bob posted -- looks like they're both from KG Engineering - they made tons of multipurpose racks and rests, and went out of business LONG time ago.

The one I've got I call a tour pack though - it doesn't have the adjustable backrest like Metal_Bob's does, mine's fixed. But it does have hard saddlebags (with brake & signals) and a trunk with brake lights for on the luggage rack. I've got pictures, but the site won't let me upload right now :evil:

They turn up on ebay from time to time -- sadly with the age of our bikes now, unless you or a friend are handy at fabricating, it's about the best we can do.

 

Altus - Proud ex-RCAF Veteran here (22 yrs) - 3 CAV Kosovo Unit - in Airdrie, AB. Had an uncle who was 2 RCR in London for years.

I just found an original Yamaha sissy bar for my 1100 Maxim - at a local Yamaha dealer! Going to go pick it up in the morning..... I'm also going to check and see if they have the OEM luggage rack, too.

 

This isn't unusual, if you find a Yamaha shop that's been around since back then. The accessories weren't on the inter-dealer parts system so it's often possible to find an old-line Yammie dealer with some neat leftover stock.

 

well - this particular dealer has been selling motorcycles for 77 years, so I guess that qualifies.....

 

It sure does. You're lucky to still have one of those around; they're few and far between these days.

That guy's liable to have anything collecting dust on a shelf somewhere. Does he by chance have an '81~'83 Yamaha Accessory Catalog? I'd swap an internal organ for a factory luggage rack for my other 550 Seca. It would be a "4G0" or "4U8" prefixed part.

 

Bigfitz - you can always send them an email and find out.... http://www.myoldyamaha.com/

I went and picked up the sissy bar today and found out that the XJ750's and 1100's must be different widths - the sissy bar is 7 1/4" wide - while the mounting points for it on my 1100 are 6 1/4" ..... Still - it gives me a really good place to start to modify it to exactly what I want. It even has a nice little gold on black "Yamaha" placard for it.

To fit the backpack bag I have - I'll add 3" to the height (so it will strap on securely), and narrow it by an inch to fit the bike's mounting points. A little paint (or powdercoat) and a pad to keep my passengers comfy and I'll be a happy camper . Good think I know a good welder (not to mention what kind of beer he likes :lol: ).