DIY pannier rack
 

Given that I already had some panniers I decided to make some frames to hold them on the Ten. The previous frame had been built to carry the boxes on my Speed Triple-

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...d/IMG_0451.jpg

Ignore the gurning drunk ;)

Then when I got the DR600 I was stunned to find the rack slotted onto that too, and used it to carry various things-

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...d/DSC00152.jpg

So anyway, pic whoring over. Now I don't have a pipe bender so tried a couple of ways to form a bend into the tube this time, but neither was particularly successful, so in the end I decided to go for a mitred joint set up instead. I used the old frame as a jig for the side mounts, and then the rest was made as I went along.
I decided I was going to use the Yamaha mounting points, even though I know it would mean some tricky nut application under the seat. However I plan to make a new set of silencers up at some point in the next few months so access should be improved.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...s/DSC00276.jpg

Ever the resourceful, I used on of my test bend pieces to make a joining half-loop for the rear of the rack. Now I also realised that in order to slot the rack on, it would have to split, so the half-loop has a joint in it, but not behind the mudguard where it gets all ****ty. No I put it in an easy access place on the side. Oh and my test bend was that long too! ;)
And a couple of pics of it with boxes in place. It's nearly finished, I just need to pic some nuts and bolts up from local factors, then paint it. Although it's lovely 316 seamless, I'm painting it black to fit in.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...s/DSC00283.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...s/DSC00281.jpg
]
Quite chuffed.

Hi Tripletom, slightly off topic, I notice you are using the new kriega tankbag sleeve/mount, how do you find it? and what size and which of the kriega bag you are using? From your pics, I see the setup less intrusive than most tankbags, I am just curious to know whether you are happy with it despite the fact that it is not as accessible to the items inside the bag than a normal tankbag. Thanks in advance.

Hey Josephau, no problems. I like the Kriega harness, though I mounted it back to front from their recommendations. I've fedback to them with this info in case any Tenere owners decide to go for one. I've got the US-5 bag on there for everyday use as somewhere to keep cargo net/straps etc, and I've had a US-10 on there also. Both cover the ignition key, but not terribly. I think due to the shortness of the Tenere tank the US-20 would be a little large. As somewhere to quickly stash stuff though, I'm very pleased. If you want more pics, just say.

edit to add- I don't mind the method of accessing the contents of the bag, and would gladly have to take a few moments longer to do it than suffer wet contents as I have with other tank bags, even those with 'waterproof covers'.

Nice job. Huge panniers. More room for the ladies shoes I'll bet.

He he, no comment ;) I had a measure and they're only 35mm wider than the handlebars though, so judging gaps shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Tripletom,

How easy is it to take the tank bag off to get at the fuel cap?

Also, the US-10 has a zip on the side to get at the contents right?


Thanks,

Nick.

Blimey I knock up a set of bespoke pannier racks in a weekend whulst under the effects of manflu and everyone wants to know about the Kriega stuff!!!







Just kidding...




All the US-series bags open the same way- with the rollover klunk klip closure. It takes all of 10 seconds to open. To access the fuel filler you pop 2 quick release clips and the whole tank bag assembly goes either forward (if you fit as per instructions) or backwards if you fit it like I did. If you want pics then let me know.

I want to know more about the lady sitting next to you. :laughing7:



Just kidding too. =)


A little.

Hi Tripletom, more pics on the kriega tankbag setup would be great, that is if not too much trouble. Thanks in advance.

Hee hee - well I for one think you've done a nice job there...

Just a couple of questions - the boxes look to be mounted quite far forward, how is the pillion comfort in that respect?

Also, did you use a third mounting point on the frame (under the seat - where there is a little cutout in the plastic shroud by the hand rails)?

I guess for anyone else so inclined, you could always buy the bare-metal rectangular hoop sections that the robbers at Touratech sell, and weld up your own supports?

xxx

[quote=tripletom;79127]Blimey I knock up a set of bespoke pannier racks in a weekend whulst under the effects of manflu and everyone wants to know about the Kriega stuff!!!quote]


Sorry mate..........Great work with the pannier frames, thanks for putting up a report about them....




Better now? :thumbsup[1]:



Serioulsy, the more I look at whats availabel the more I think about making my open panniers......not sure I would trust my welding to make my own frames tho'.....


Nick.


PS. Had the man flu for two feckin' weeks now...not nice.

nice one Tom - looks like it will work well.


sorry tom - i don't mean to hijack

i kinda did something similar - i upgraded from a XTR to the Ten' and subsequently had a surplus TT pannier rack - with a bit of careful chopping, welding and tweaking i made the rack fit the bike, through the yamaha monting points, re-used all the mounting lugs etc and actually had spare bits of rack left over - once i had dressed the welds and had the rack blasted and powdercoated (�25) thet look and work as well as any other. i can take pics for anyone considering the same.

That is good to know it can be done - I guess an ebay find of an XTR rack might be an option for people too? Mind you, if you had to buy one, mod it and get it powder coated, it might be better just to stump up for the Touratech Tenere version? - but if you have one already, then excellent!

xxx

I don't mind about the mixed discussion at all guys and gals, it's often the best way forward. JMo you're absolutely right I could've used the bare TT mounts but my reasons for not doing so were as follows-

I already had the panniers and the mounting bobbins are set up for 16mm (Givi) mounting racks thickness wise anyway.
The spacing of the bobbins is to suit the existing rack as I will continue to use it on the Speed Triple; I didn't want to have to remount the bobbins each time I swapped bikes.
I was able to get hold of 16mm tube.
I like building stuff.

With regards to the position of the panniers and pillion, I've had a pillion on there and they can sit with the arches of their feet on the pegs with no hassles. One thing I was aware of from mounting the previous rack on the DR was that it was too far back and the weight distribution meant the front end got light, even left the ground in some situations (honest officer ;) ) and I wanted to avoid this. As it is the centre line of the panniers runs straight through the axle.
The pannier racks bolt on using 10mm hardware to the pillion footrests and the mounting holes in the rear frame. The under-mudguard loop is the final point of reinforcement and once bolted up I would expect very little movement. The previous rack had the same system and no problems, even when dropped. I will have a look to see if there's a vertical mount point under the rear mudguard for additional stability if I feel it's warranted.

The panniers I sourced through Klaus at- http://www.motorradalukoffer.de/ a couple of years ago and I see he's now doing different sizes.

Ok, I've done a write up on the Kriega stuff- http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?p=79239#post79239
If enough people decide to go for stuff then we may be able to do a group buy. Comment in the above thread.