Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 02:54:17 PM

Title: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 02:54:17 PM: I didn't like what I saw for racks so I built my own. It's the first of many parts to come!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 18, 2015, 02:57:01 PM: :thumbs:
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Rhino on March 18, 2015, 02:58:04 PM: Flow jet? NC mill? LASER? Whichever, nice work!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 03:01:10 PM: Thanks. Old NC mill. The rack is merely a starting point for several other parts I have in the works.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Rhino on March 18, 2015, 03:14:21 PM: :thumbs: The only thing better than having toys is having the tools and know how to make your own toys.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: stevewfl on March 18, 2015, 03:15:38 PM: NICE!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: gPink on March 18, 2015, 03:32:51 PM: I like the width. It looks like it'll support my dry bag better than the oem size. Are the slots milled through so they can be used as bungie hooks?
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 03:38:24 PM: Yep, and its drilled and tapped to accept MonoKey and MonoLock boxes. It also adjusts fore and aft about 1-1/2 inches.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: gPink on March 18, 2015, 03:44:16 PM: I'm in for one if you hit the market with it at a manageable cost. :)
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 03:54:25 PM: After I get it powder coated I'd have to get about $170. If that works for you, pm me! :D
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: gPink on March 18, 2015, 04:04:08 PM: PM'ed :thumbs:
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: elp_jc on March 18, 2015, 04:26:46 PM: Quote from: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 03:54:25 PM
After I get it powder coated I'd have to get about $170.
I'm sure connie_rider wants one too. PM him ;). Looks like you just started a business. Ha ha.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 04:53:20 PM: Quote from: elp_jc on March 18, 2015, 04:26:46 PM
I'm sure connie_rider wants one too. PM him ;). Looks like you just started a business. Ha ha.

Thanks for the thought but I would never solicit someone like that. I'm not trying to start a business, I'm simply making some parts for my bike and if others like them I'm thrilled. If someone does want what I build for my bike, I will do what I can to accommodate them.

Trust me, at $170 for a rack that is nearly 10 x 18 inches and 3/8 inch thick, plus mounts, powder coat, and hardware, I won't be buying a Ferrari any time soon. :) Or a used pick up either. ::) I do this kind of stuff because I enjoy it and if I'm thinking about building cool stuff for my bike, I'm not getting in to trouble. The Devil dreams on an idle horse.....
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on March 18, 2015, 06:17:20 PM: Quote from: elp_jc on March 18, 2015, 04:26:46 PM
I'm sure connie_rider wants one too. PM him ;). Looks like you just started a business. Ha ha.

Nice job Dez, wish I had a bridgeport in my garage, but I know Guy young has one... 8)

as for the back rack, I'm good with my trunk, it serves well and has since 7/7/07
now to poke fun.... :D
I know Ted better than that... he's a cheap bastich... :banana
and didn't see him say he wanted one.... :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

I wouldn't quit the day job, so to say... :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

I picture Ted's counterpart being made from a piece of OSB, he pulled out of a neighbors trash, from an old home theater stand, and hacksawed into shape.. 8) 8) 8) wood grain contact paper intact, covered with black electrical tape on the edges...:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
but then, in order to evaluate it, you would have to load the bike up, to the max, and actually use the bags and aux components to haul stuff many miles to ascertain it's efficacy...
I know Ted hauls stuff, and does many miles... I just add a trailer to my C14, and can do a beer run for a veritable troop movement... ice included... 8)
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: mikeeitup on March 18, 2015, 06:26:43 PM: SOOOoooooooooo when do the parts go on sale? =)
Mike
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: PH14 on March 18, 2015, 06:28:57 PM: Very nice!
:thumbs:
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: lather on March 18, 2015, 06:35:06 PM: It looks like stainless steel or is it aluminum? Either way it is very pretty, why powder coat it?
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on March 18, 2015, 06:50:55 PM: Quote from: lather on March 18, 2015, 06:35:06 PM
It looks like stainless steel or is it aluminum? Either way it is very pretty, why powder coat it?

looks like Aluminum, from the original photo with the plate in background... appears to be 1/4" stock, I would have acquiesced to pretty much 11 ga (.13") in sheet stock, as it really does not need to be so thick, unless you are tapping threads to hold fasteners...
how much load is this expected to carry? I say putting more than 40# up and back is the limit.. knowing I've carried a case of mega$$$ beer a short distance in my 42L Shad back case.. and many time carried #30 in it for a thousand miles...with Momma leaning against it... asleep... for 500 miles.... 8)
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 07:03:51 PM: It's made of 3/8 aluminum plate. Raw aluminum certainly has it's place, just not on MY motorcycle. ;D I work with aluminum all day, every day, and it is really a pain to keep raw aluminum looking good. I love the look of brushed aluminum but I am not willing to put forth the effort required.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 07:10:14 PM: Quote from: mikeeitup on March 18, 2015, 06:26:43 PM
SOOOoooooooooo when do the parts go on sale? =)
Mike

If I could get 3 more people to commit to buying one, I could probably ship in about 2 weeks. It's difficult to spend the time and money required to run less that 4 or 5 at a time. I wouldn't necessarily need the $ up front, just a sincere commitment to purchase. I don't believe in paying to finance someone else's endeavor, so I don't expect you to pay for something I can't immediately deliver.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: B.D.F. on March 18, 2015, 07:17:50 PM: I made this many moons ago. It is set further back by 2" from a stock rack to carry a Givi 55, and is quite strong to eliminate those supporting arms on the Givi mount.

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Kirbyonrack.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Kirbyonrack.jpg.html)

Note the third screw all the way to the rear; if you notch the bottom of the rack and put another fastener through the very rear of the lifting handles, the whole device (rack and carrying arms) becomes much more rigid (Easy Boys!) and stronger. You can pick the bike up with this rack.

Brian

Quote from: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 02:54:17 PM
I didn't like what I saw for racks so I built my own. It's the first of many parts to come!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 07:29:29 PM: Depending on where you have the one I built adjusted, bolts could be inserted thru the slots in the rack to do exactly what you did. My rack has 1-1/2 inches of adjustment fore and aft so that is doable.

I mainly wanted something wider because I prefer to just throw my "Go Bag" on the back of the bike and bungee it down. Phil makes a REALLY nice, high quality rack. It just wasn't what I wanted.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: sailor_chic on March 19, 2015, 06:50:10 AM: It certainly looks like you have been a busy man designing a very nice rack! I would be very interested in one of these.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on March 19, 2015, 08:32:39 AM: Very busy. I guess i'll make a few and see how it goes. :)
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: 556ALPHA on March 19, 2015, 02:42:11 PM: Great Job!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: XPLRN on March 20, 2015, 05:19:22 AM: Quote from: Deziner on March 18, 2015, 07:03:51 PM
It's made of 3/8 aluminum plate. Raw aluminum certainly has it's place, just not on MY motorcycle. ;D I work with aluminum all day, every day, and it is really a pain to keep raw aluminum looking good. I love the look of brushed aluminum but I am not willing to put forth the effort required.

I *knew* seeing Deziner get into his Connie and start the personalization process it would make me want to get one, maybe I'll win the lotto this weekend!!

Last night/Thursday night I had some time and stopped by Deziner's shop. It was cool to see the previously talked about rack plate setup actually completed and mounted on Deziner's bike. I got to fondle the raw aluminum machined part and check out the super easy top box removal. My only regret is that I didn't whip out my daily carried camera(personalized license plate fetish) and taken a couple of close up shots so the superb machining work could be better shown......maybe tomorrow if Deziner is cool with it.

Years ago Deziner helped bring one of my designing projects to fruition. On that past project the units went out "as is" due to being entirely machined and looking fanfu@ingtastic. However someone wanted to do their final finish was on them!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/XPLRN/ADV/DP1_zpsvya71tjh.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/XPLRN/ADV/DP2_zps5ci8ijrq.jpg)

The units I ended up using on my bike were coated with spray-on truck bed-liner for a final finish as they were mounted down low where there was constant exposure to the elements.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/XPLRN/ADV/IMG_4594Large.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/XPLRN/ADV/IMG_4605Large.jpg)

There's more *good* dezining work in this rack plate than what's been mentioned/shown thus far......but that's Deziner's story to tell/show in the future!! We've had the discussions about various approaches to 'final finish' before. Every possible scenario after the machining work stops has been delved into by Deziner on past projects. Yes, the powder coat is the cleanest and simplest 'ready to go out of the box' option.

I happen to *love* the look of either brushed, polished or anodized aluminum. *IF* one has the ability to do their own finish work( brushed/polished/annodized) *or* pay someone to do their preference of finish their investment would certainly result in a absofu@inglutely beautiful finished custom accessory for their Connie!!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: stevewfl on March 25, 2015, 09:15:29 PM: ^^^^^^nice

I need some custom billet parts for my car project if you're interested in the business and can swing it :D

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Camaro/camaro_n.jpg)
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: connie_rider on March 26, 2015, 07:33:25 AM: I know Ted better than that... he's a cheap bastich... :banana
and didn't see him say he wanted one.... :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

I wouldn't quit the day job, so to say... :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

I picture Ted's counterpart being made from a piece of OSB, he pulled out of a neighbors trash, from an old home theater stand, and hacksawed into shape.. 8) 8) 8)
wood grain contact paper intact, covered with black electrical tape on the edges...:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

I guess you know me pretty good, ya smarty eleck!!!! ;D ;D

As it happens, Elp contacted me and clued me in on this new rack.
So,,,,
I called Desiner the day after he originally posted (about making 1 for me)..
I'm looking for an alternative rack to use, (after I finalize the hole locations for the new hardware).
Not sure if it will be Phil's, Desiner's, or something like BDF's...
All look GREAT!!

BUT, I had just finished *modifying/installing a Phils Rack on my bike and wanted to finish that project.
Which I did.
PS: I used Krylon, not wood grain contact paper !!

** Modification: I discovered a way to do away with the Universal Mount that is used to install the Kawasaki 47L Monolock bags.

Tested it in Big Bend last weekend.
Worked great.

Ride safe, Ted
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: 556ALPHA on March 26, 2015, 02:31:02 PM: Quote from: stevewfl on March 25, 2015, 09:15:29 PM
^^^^^^nice

I need some custom billet parts for my car project if you're interested in the business and can swing it :D

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Camaro/camaro_n.jpg)
This instantly came to mind:

https://youtu.be/QN_Nod65e7o?t=34 (https://youtu.be/QN_Nod65e7o?t=34)
https://youtu.be/QN_Nod65e7o?t=34
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on April 08, 2015, 04:07:38 PM: Finally finished the rack. gPink and S_C, I will ship yours next week!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: gPink on April 08, 2015, 04:15:09 PM: Outstanding! :thumbs:
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Rhino on April 08, 2015, 04:49:01 PM: Quote from: Deziner on April 08, 2015, 04:07:38 PM
Finally finished the rack. gPink and S_C, I will ship yours next week!

Wow! That looks nice!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Charlie747 on April 08, 2015, 11:59:03 PM: Quote from: Rhino on April 08, 2015, 04:49:01 PM
Wow! That looks nice!

Agree :thumbs:
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: Deziner on April 09, 2015, 07:16:37 AM: Thanks.
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: XPLRN on April 09, 2015, 10:11:38 PM: Quote from: Deziner on April 08, 2015, 04:07:38 PM
Finally finished the rack.
Hopefully this is more better, sorry about that previous "over the top" wordage.
(http://preview.images.memegenerator.net/Instance/Preview?imageID=2158630&generatorTypeID=&panels=&text0=&text1=OUT-FREAKING-STANDING&text2=&text3=)
As I knew it would be!!

Did you throw it back in and run the radius program again after powder coat or ?? Was hoping to get over there to check it out before you split for the weekend however BOHICA stuff occurred. I'll catch up first of the week.....enjoy the time away!!
Title: Re: I built a rack
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 10, 2015, 04:03:22 AM: Quote from: XPLRN on April 09, 2015, 10:11:38 PM

As I knew it would be!!

Did you throw it back in and run the radius program again after powder coat or ?? Was hoping to get over there to check it out before you split for the weekend however BOHICA stuff occurred. I'll catch up first of the week.....enjoy the time away!!

Whilst I do agree with the sentiment. The picture was over the top to be posted here.