Built a Luggage Rack

Energy One

shovelcowboy

Well-Known Member
Calendar Participant
I know my red chopper I built is a little different than what most of you have but I think any of you could fabricate this setup for you Dogs by drilling JUST TWO holes in the forward part of your rear fender and then using your sissy bar as the rear attachment much like the BDM factory luggage rack.

This is the "clean fender look" on my bike which I wanted to be able to easily go back to.



And here is the sissy bar on (just remove the back diamond accents to install).




Most of you (like me) have probably wished you could safely pack more stuff for a road trip and still not damage your high $$$$$ paint job. AND NOT do like Bruce (one of our members) had to do in this trip report (thanks Bruce) to save his paint!








So I had 4 bolt holes to use for a luggage rack. On your dogs with a sissy bar you would only need the 2 front ones (and then use a similar attachment that is used with the simple back BDM luggage rack).

I started out with scrap iron half-inch rod (an old canvas chair frame I got from the thrift store for $2 bucks) and some smaller rod (same source for $1 buck). Material cost less than $5 bucks plus quite a bit of time. What is in the picture is what I have left (I only used two short legs). I used the natural bend and holes on the one end of the rail.



I first bent the bigger rod to form a grab rail on either side and welded them together in the back center. (I cold bent them and it was a little tough getting the shapes to match - a hydraulic press like I use to have back on the farm would have been helpful).



The grab rail would work well with a sissy pad and give an insecure passenger something to hang on to.



Next I built and welded a top rack (which is easy on - easy off with just two bolts).



Here are the two pieces off the bike (just painted). I will get them probably powdercoated black or chromed.



Here are the "loaded" pics. Very easy to stack and attach the bags, tents, small chair, etc.







Under shot before painted. You can see how everything is "OFF" the fender.



And a shot before a test trip on the 4th of July with the bike loaded. Handled really good and center of gravity was kept low. There is just enough room in front for my leather jacket (or whatever for an "easychair" backrest).



What I really like about this is that it is easy on easy off and easy to load. And I don't think it looks too bad. One could make another top rack that was not so wide and have a choice of widths.

I think someone like Choppin' Steel (not a 'farmer stick-welder like me :lol:) could make these look really good and you would just have to drill 2 holes in the fender (with maybe a little under fender re-inforcement).

Hope this idea helps some of you solve some issues. It did for me. If anyone needs better pics or dimentions let me know.

Shovelcowboy:cheers:
 
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Little-Boo

Well-Known Member
Troop Supporter
Looks good, nice setup. And if I may add, what really makes that Chopper look good is your beautiful Wifey :eek: and next the sissy bars :D

Carlos :2thumbs:
 

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
great job, Ken. that rack gives an excellent place to attach the bungee cords.:2thumbs::2thumbs:
 

Ray

Well-Known Member
That looks Great Shovel, great fabricating. I am in the thought process of of fabricating a sissy bar for my wife to ride with me rather than paying $600. A little time and a little thought !

Great Job!

Ray
 

shovelcowboy

Well-Known Member
Calendar Participant
I like what you've done! :2thumbs:

Is there any support for it all other than the fender? :confused:

Dennis
Mine is a 'strutless' fender and may be a little heavier steel than those on Big Dog bikes. Nonetheless, the sissy bar struts (on Big Dogs help the fender hold the same weight be it passenger or luggage. I think I could do the same thing with the K-9 I'm building (you can see it in the background of my shop).

Shovelcowboy
 

Big B

Active Member
Great idea! What keeps your sissy bar from pivoting front to back? I would love to do something like this for my ridgeback. Just cant afford factory prices.
 

shovelcowboy

Well-Known Member
Calendar Participant
Great idea! What keeps your sissy bar from pivoting front to back? I would love to do something like this for my ridgeback. Just cant afford factory prices.
I built it to "lip" under the fender edge.

Shovelcowboy
 
Great idea Ken,and if some of you guys that have the daytec frames you can buy a strutless fender thats pretty heavy duty direct from Daytec.
 

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
I guess I was a little confused there Ken. You were talking about a great rack and the first pic was your wife. Hell, I'm thinking, damn sure is a great rack. Anyway, nice work on the fabrication too!:D
 
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