Funky Farkle

[Doobage]

Hey all,
I was wondering if anybody has built, or can shoot down the idea of having a "platform" added over the rear fender (where the top box goes). (by platform, I'm guessing something about as wide as the saddlebags (3 ft. X 2 feet deep, 1/4 steel or aluminum). I have a stealth back rest and don't want to remove it as I seem to be doing a lot of two-up riding. I'd like to go camping, but even with a top box, I don't quite see how I'll attach a good sized tent. I'm sure I can get a smaller tent, but I'd rather keep the one I've got.

But most importantly, here's my problem and why I'd like a "platform" on the back. I have a bass guitar and in it's case it's about 4 feet long, 1.5 ft. tall, and about 5 inches wide. With a platform, I could mount the bass so that two feet come forward, by the back seat, and 2 feet stick out the end of the bike. I think it would be high enough so as not to interfere with seeing the lights, and it would be close enough to the center (aside from it being only 15 lbs.) so as to not throw off the bike. About the only thing bad would be cross winds would cause more effort.

Suggestions? Reasons why this would be dangerous (not just for the bass, but for other gear)?

Thanks!

[Doobage]

Yeah, I think the larger concern for me is Wind. Certainly the forward facing profile is small 5 inches wide, 1.5 feet tall. The commute would be rather short (10 miles). I saw Paul (st-owner) had a luggage rack "platform" that looks similar to what I want, but was smaller.

Would I go to a machine shop to have them cut something like this? Afterall, I'm just talking about a thick piece of aluminum with rounded corners and a couple holes punched through it.

[CrashTestDanny]

Yeah, I think the larger concern for me is Wind. Certainly the forward facing profile is small 5 inches wide, 1.5 feet tall. The commute would be rather short (10 miles). I saw Paul (st-owner) had a luggage rack "platform" that looks similar to what I want, but was smaller.

Would I go to a machine shop to have them cut something like this? Afterall, I'm just talking about a thick piece of aluminum with rounded corners and a couple holes punched through it.


Why not leave one saddlebag at home and have your machine shop bend a piece of aluminum that will hang where the lower bag mount goes and will cradle the lower back corner of the guitar case with the guitar case resting on the passenger's peg and standing up vertically?

This way you don't have to worry about lift on the flat guitar case. Just use 2 bungees to hold it tight against the side of the bike. This is how I used to carry my guitar on my old CSR 650 and it worked wonderfully. I used to take 1,000 milers with the guitar (and everything else I owned) strapped to that bike.

[Littlejohn64]

Hey all,
I was wondering if anybody has built, or can shoot down the idea of having a "platform" added over the rear fender (where the top box goes). (by platform, I'm guessing something about as wide as the saddlebags (3 ft. X 2 feet deep, 1/4 steel or aluminum). I have a stealth back rest and don't want to remove it as I seem to be doing a lot of two-up riding. I'd like to go camping, but even with a top box, I don't quite see how I'll attach a good sized tent. I'm sure I can get a smaller tent, but I'd rather keep the one I've got.

But most importantly, here's my problem and why I'd like a "platform" on the back. I have a bass guitar and in it's case it's about 4 feet long, 1.5 ft. tall, and about 5 inches wide. With a platform, I could mount the bass so that two feet come forward, by the back seat, and 2 feet stick out the end of the bike. I think it would be high enough so as not to interfere with seeing the lights, and it would be close enough to the center (aside from it being only 15 lbs.) so as to not throw off the bike. About the only thing bad would be cross winds would cause more effort.

Suggestions? Reasons why this would be dangerous (not just for the bass, but for other gear)?

Thanks!
One other option, if you plan on camping and carrying larger bulky items, is to look into a trailer setup. I pulled one with my previous bike and had a blast with it!!! I used to use it to go to the store and everything.
If your interested, heres a good place to glean LOTS of info.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/MCTrailertowing/start

[Doobage]

Excellent info thanks guys! Silly me, I always think those saddle bags are permanent!

[maxib]

Where you gonna put the amp???

[cementhead1300]

I found an interesting luggage rack on an old post. The gentleman had it custom made in england. With exchange rate, cost and shipping it was out of my range. You have to picture a luggage rack like those on sport cars. But he brought it out the back and dropped it low. Had to have lights and tag holder because it covered the back of the bike. I fell in love with the size and low center of gravity. O well another farkle out of reach. :biker: