“Rear seat rack”

[TomP]

I’m a photographer, and often have to carry large amounts of camera gear on my bike. Quite a bit of this lives in a big Pelli case with suitcase-type wheels on it. I want to be able to carry stuff like this crossways behind the rider seat on my 2015 R1200 GSA.

I’m aware that Touratech and Wunderlich make rear seat “replacement” units, but these aren’t remotely up to the task. What I’m after is some sort of carrier rack, or shelf that can be bolted firmly into place (with or without the rear seat remaining in situ), so that I can then bungee the Pelli case to it.

My other bike is a K1200LT. A now defunct American company (BMR) used to make a natty transverse carrier. However, it’s only suitable for a K1200LT. I use one on my K a lot, but there are times when I want to travel on the GSA, so I’m seeking something equivalent. I’m satisfied the BMR one can’t be chopped or adapted to fit on the GSA, even if I wanted to do that - which I don’t.

Something in either sheet metal or metal tubing would suit, so long as it could manage the weight. I’ve been on the lookout during the 18 months or so that I’ve had the GSA, but haven’t seen anything remotely like what I need.

Anyone got any ideas? Thanks.

Tom

 

[TomP]

Sorry for the strange symbols in my post. No idea how that happened!

Tom

 

[NeuroticAnt]

Speak to Mark or Mike at Cymarcbikeparts.co.uk

2 top notch fellas who make a lot of kit for our awesome steeds, they even offer a bespoke service that may be of use. You’ll see them floating around in here full of wisdom and knowledge and down right a pleasure to deal with

 

[TomP]

Thanks. Good suggestion.

Tom

 

[Big-G]

Rear rack

Cymarc and you'll maybe want to remove the rear rack and on a GSA just fit a std front seat.

 

[TomP]

Thanks but no. I don’t want to remove anything. The transverse rack I’m looking for is to be in addition to everything else. I’m thinking that perhaps it will partly rest on the pillion seat, but I’ve not really scoped possible ways to bolt a rack or plate like this into place.

Tom

 

[Big-G]

https://www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk/bmw-r1200gsalc-adjustable-rack--adaptor-plate-200-p.asp

https://www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk/r...late-rack-in-aluminium-black-finish-335-p.asp

 

[GSRiderdotcom]

Hi Tom

if you are happy to bolt 'another rack' to the current arms you have then you could just make your own.

A simple aluminum plate (check plate) fastened on to the rack/arms, with slots or tie down loops on it so you can strap your pelicase to it, should suffice.

In the past I've used stainless steel pipe fastenings, which are a loop but have protective rubber sleeves. You could wrap these around the arms with extra rubber protection if required and then bolt the plate to it. It may not be the prettiest, but would be functional, TBH it would look okay. And you know your not going to damage the arms so when you want to take it off it will be all fine.

Just a thought.

Ali

se ebay for
Rubber lined P clips
Tie down anchor rings

 

[TomP]

Thanks. That's kind of where I'm heading, I think. Do you know of a good source for aluminium plate of the right sort of strength. I wasn't familiar with your expression "check plate".

Tom

 

[TomP]

Thanks. Useful photos, but what I'm after is almost across between them both. To clear the rack "arms", it looks as if I need something that bolts on to them and sits above or on the rear seat. If I do something with the rear seat removed, the gap between the arms is not big enough for the Pellicase.

Tom

 

[GSRiderdotcom]

Sorry Tom

auto-correct........ it should be chequer plate, or sometimes known as tread plate.

Its just got a check pattern on it which offers grip, but you may not need this and plain aluminum plate will do. If you search on ebay you can find suppliers, I would think 3mm thick would be plenty thick enough as in essence from what I imagine you want to do it will be fastened tightly to the arms and straddle over them. How big is the Pelicase?

If I was then strapping a case to the aluminum plate then obviously the straps and tie down points will need to be substantial, but I'd be tempted to put some rubber on the plate just to provide some friction.

As both the case and plate are smooth and the more you can prevent any movement then the safer the case will be. You dont want to see it in your rear view mirror.

I hope this helps.

Ask on here someone may have some odd pieces of aluminum laying around if they are local to you.

cheers Ali

 

[GSRiderdotcom]

another method

Hi just a thought.

If your Pelcicase straddles the arms comfortably and can sit balanced, then you could consider just strapping the case to the arms.

With something in between, probably fastened to the case, which allows it to sit firmly on the arms. The straps you use can them attach to the arms and around and possibly through the case.

I'm imagining a small aluminum 'u' section with a rubber insert which provide grip and prevents the arms being damaged.

This way your bike remains original and the case straps on when required.

I'm trying to attach a small drawing to show this.

Cheers Ali

ps the drawing only show 2 contact points but you'd probably need four

 

[TomP]

Thanks for the clarification. I know the stuff

I’d thought of fitting some kind of rubber strips across the plate for friction. That’s basically what the American one on my K1200LT has. Plus strategically drilled out oval holes for attaching straps. I have some Rok straps that cope with it well.

The case is 56cm x 36cm x 23cm, so any shelf will need to be about 60cm x 40cm. I’m getting the GSA out of the garage this afternoon to check tyres etc and will do some measurement to see how much room I’ve got. Might even make a cardboard mock-up.

Tom

 

[TomP]

Helpful. Thanks.

Tom.

 

[TomP]

Sorted!

To my surprise, it was easy. Previously I’d tried to envisage what the case would look like with the GSA’s rear panniers in place, and I wanted the rack that I’d envisaged to leave sufficient room for the pannier lids to open.

However, I’d taken the panniers off for the winter/lockdown while the bike was off the road, and looked at the issue yesterday without them in place. I’d also found some “beefier” Rok straps that I’d forgotten about - the non-elastic half being considerably longer than on the short ones I’d been using to lash the Pelli case onto the American made rear-seat rack I have on my K1200LT.

I noticed that the pannier fixing frame on both sides has a triangular arrangement of metalwork at one point - partly hidden when the aluminium boxes are in place, I think. This is directly below the front edge of the Pelli case when it rests directly across the rear seat.

The rest was dead easy. Elasticated end of each Rok strap secures to the rails of the topbox rack, just by the back of the seat. Other part of the strap attaches to the top of the triangular arrangement mentioned above. Pelli case sits directly on the rear seat. Seat has one of those mesh covers on it, so the case doesn’t slip about much, and it has mouldings that hold the Rok strap in the right place, to stop it slipping off the ends of the case. Rok strap is buckled together on the top of the case and tightened enough to compress it slightly into the seat’s cushioning.

And it’s fine. Sits pretty solidly in place, clear of any obstructions. I’d imagined that, because I need the rack I have on the K1200 to carry the thing when full of camera gear, I’d also need something like it on the GSA. Wrong! I think that’s called “object fixation” by psychologists. To increase further still the surface area of the case that is in contact with the seat, I might just fashion a wooden plate, flat on top and curved to the line of the seat underneath. That would act like a wedge to hold the case firmer still.

Tom

Sorry Tom

auto-correct........ it should be chequer plate, or sometimes known as tread plate.

Its just got a check pattern on it which offers grip, but you may not need this and plain aluminum plate will do. If you search on ebay you can find suppliers, I would think 3mm thick would be plenty thick enough as in essence from what I imagine you want to do it will be fastened tightly to the arms and straddle over them. How big is the Pelicase?

If I was then strapping a case to the aluminum plate then obviously the straps and tie down points will need to be substantial, but I'd be tempted to put some rubber on the plate just to provide some friction.

As both the case and plate are smooth and the more you can prevent any movement then the safer the case will be. You dont want to see it in your rear view mirror.

I hope this helps.

Ask on here someone may have some odd pieces of aluminum laying around if they are local to you.

cheers Ali

 

[SBD]

Error

 

[beemerboy9]

This chap has got a pelicase strapped to the pack - and the option of a couple of extra gallons of fuel!

 

[TomP]

Sorry, I missed this when you posted it.

Interesting. Not sure it looks very attractive, though. I might contact them about options. Thanks.

Tom