I started a new thread specifically discussing the BRMoto beefy rear rack. http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/brmoto-beefy-rear-rack-truly-beefy.34410/ Feel free to continue to post in this thread, but I am unsticking it now, because there is a awesome solution - and I seriously doubt a beefier rear rack will ever be made, or at least not one that is as strong while being elegant.
I spent the majority of the day messing with this damn rack. It is a pain in the ass. Finished the main hoop this morning: The tubing notcher is working OK, but stills needs some shimming: UPS came and dropped off a package from MotorcycleSuperstore... This giant box contained a chain rivet link. That's it. If they didn't have free shipping I would be pissed. I unhooked the battery and removed the computer from the bike before I began tack welding. Even though its only about 14-16volts, I don't want to take any chances. I started off covering the bike with this towel, and cutting holes for the mounts to go through, then it began catching fire in spots and I called off the towel. Got the main hoop welded to the front mounts: Shimmed the hole notcher a little more, now its cutting the pipe evenly: This step was the most time consuming. Since the small sections of pipe are too small to be cut in the notcher, I had to do some saddles by hand with a small cutting wheel: Back mounts welded to the hoop: Showing the clearance above the tail:
This is what it will look like with the Rotopax 1gal on there: I welded some strap across the back for the Rotopax mount. Drilled it and went to put the rack back on the bike. Somehow the straps pulled the hoop ends close together and now the front mounts don't line up. Great. So tomorrow I am going to have to cut some wedges out of the hoop, open it up a tad and weld them back together. Luckily this rack is just to be used a template for dimensions. What a pain in the ass. You'll also noticed I had to stray away from the design of my rough sketch. There just wasn't enough room for two more pieces of pipe to run the length of the hoop and I don't think it would have made that much of a difference strength wise. This hoop is already stout, and I don't want the extra weight.
I really do not like to sound jaded, but it does not look that beefy to me. It would be interesting to compare the BRMoto & TCi production products when they are both done.
Can you get the back wheel off with TCI's rack installed? I can't really tell if the brace behind the rear wheel would interfere, or is easily removed. Could be a royal pain on the trail in the event of a rear puncture...
I like the options, but I'm already firmly in the brmoto camp. I have no doubt that will be a great rack for big expeditions, but it seems a bit much for my needs. I don't have bags on unless I need them, so the brmoto sides look better to me. The top rack will be used quite a bit more for my needs, and both look to have their pros and cons. The TCI setup looks to be a better all around setup for hard cases. Where the brmoto setup would favor soft sides and any top setup. The tube rack vs. plate rack implementation is interesting to me. The plate rack would let you bolt down to a flat surface, but that tube rack would let you use conduit clamps to mount with and that could REALLY make for some interesting mounting/quick release options. If you're using a bungee net or straps, the plate would seem more secure and have less slipping. A duffle would work on that TCI one well, but anything oddly shaped, I just don't know how well you could strap it down.
I don't see why not. The picture, taken from above, makes it look like the rack is much lower than it really is.
There's a lot going on there with the TCI rack. How much does it weigh? Think I'm going to keep it simple, like Rod's rack stiffener idea http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/rear-rack-as-stiffener.34553/
The TCI setups normally weigh 9.2lbs. That is both sides and the tail rack combined. According to krussell, his BRmoto setup without tail rack is a hair under 9lbs. BRmoto uses 3/4" tubing, which is stout, but heavy. I believe TCI uses 5/8". This would account for the difference.
I wasn't happy with using MIG for this rack, so I ordered a TIG setup for my welder and it arrived yesterday. Unfortunately there was no pedal included so I'm having to deal with set amperages . Once I get this dialed in (or a pedal ordered), the racks will commence. I'm making a table today for setting the jig/template on since welding on the floor is a pain in the ass. More pics to come.
F'ing awesome. I asked Brother#1 to make me one based off your design, and he said we should just buy one from you as you've done all the measuring and set up and whatever. So....let me know when you're all set. I'm ready and waiting!!
Just ordered this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermal-Arc...ltDomain_0&hash=item1e67f7982d#ht_6647wt_1399 Hopefully it will be in early next week. There is no way to use a scratch start TIG effectively without amperage control, so this pedal was necessary.
Shhhh! My wife can't find out. I actually could get more done with a TIG setup out here on the ranch, so it is justified. Plus these racks would be much better with a nice TIG bead instead of your generic MIG.
