Metal mule rack

[Pussyhorse]

Just tried fitting my spangly metal mule rack to my Adv and the bastard thing doesn't fit!

Anyone else had problems with these?

I had to get my gut behind it and really push it to even try to get the under spars to go onto the subframe. It's too pinched. There's no way I can line the M6 bolts up.

At first I though I was just being a fanny fitting it, but I've looked around the rack from various angles it looks like it's on the piss. One of the underspars is angled more than the other.

Call me old fashioned, but if I spoof nearly 350 quid on a top box I expect it to fit!

Gonna ring them tomorrow and see what they say. Pissed off though as I'm going away Saturday night and it would've been well handy.

 

[the civil one]

Fitting

Try to fit it as loose as possible.
By this i mean just attach all the bolts with only one turn and then
tighten.

 

[Pussyhorse]

Just trying to line it up on the lower mount without any bolts anywhere near the rack and it won't play. I had to really push it on hard from the rear to get the top mount holes to line up because the two lower spars are too close together and therefore pinch on the subframe.

Once I get the first two top bolts in loose as per instructions there's no way the lower mounts will line up.

 

[DavidHale]

I had a similar problem with the pannier rails. I spoke to Paul at MM; he was very helpful, suggested fitting it with all the bolts loose and it went straight on. Definately speak to Paul though - he's very helpful.

 

[Pussyhorse]

I'll speak to them tomorrow.

There is still the possibility that it's fine and I'm being a fanny, but I'm not convinced.

 

[sparkplug]

I have to agree with David and Civil, the first time I tried to fit I did the first couple of bolts up tight and then the whole lot looked so far out that I thought there must have been an error. Loosened off it all went together in half an hour.

I recently upgraded to the balance system (the scorpion exhaust is good fun!) and put it on in minutes having learned my lesson the first time around.

Try it all loose and if it still doesn't work I know Paul will see you right. He's a good bloke that way.

 

[Pussyhorse]

As I said, just offering the rack up to the bike without any bolts anywhere near it and I still had to push it like buggery to get the two subframe mount holes even close to where they're meant to be.

 

[DavidHale]

Good luck then, and let us know how you get on. I've been thinking about getting the MM top box anyway, so I'd be interested in how you find it - assuming you get it fitted!

 

[GS TRV]

I had the same problem - also trying to line up with the pannier rails was a complete nightmare to be honest. Trying then to accomodate a Remus can made it a job for three people together in our workshop, pulling, heaving and eventually bending it to fit. I called paul and he was helpful but we managed it in the end. It certainly isn't a one man job. I just managed it before going on my 3wk hols - all the gear turned out great just don't ask me to remount it on the next bike!

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

some quality control there

if it is out it's not a great ad for company thats doing these all the time.

You would think they would have some sort of testing jig ...why should a customer have to spend hours trying to fit a thing that will never fit...firms that do that should be made give you back money for wasting your time and doing there quality control for them
Al Jessie seem as bad

Another real pain in the ass is bad or no instructions...TT and others

Of course your frame could be bent and you'll have to say sorry

 

[Pussyhorse]

Spoke to MM. He suggested blatting it with a mallet in a vice...but I don't have a vice. It'd need quite a bit of blatting TBH. Explanation as I expected was that they can warp and distort as they cool after welding.

So he's going to send me out another one today which he's going to check on the jig first. Can't argue with that for customer service. I just wish it'd fitted in the first place.

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

Spoke to MM. He suggested blatting it with a mallet in a vice...but I don't have a vice. It'd need quite a bit of blatting TBH. Explanation as I expected was that they can warp and distort as they cool after welding.

So he's going to send me out another one today which he's going to check on the jig first. Can't argue with that for customer service. I just wish it'd fitted in the first place.

i'm sorry.. but to me you shouldn't have to hit or batter anything...and as most of us know.. things can distort when welded..so why isn't this checked especially if they know it's a problem area.
seems like a poor excuse for a lack of quality control.

things like that make you think what other areas have missed the Q.C.

How come it's nearly £350..seems a huge amount for a top box

 

[Pussyhorse]

i'm sorry.. but to me you shouldn't have to hit or batter anything...and as most of us know.. things can distort when welded..so why isn't this checked especially if they know it's a problem area.
seems like a poor excuse for a lack of quality control.

things like that make you think what other areas have missed the Q.C.

How come it's nearly £350..seems a huge amount for a top box

I agree that I or anyone else shouldn't need to use extreme violence with a mallet to install any top quality accessories.

It is expensive. Part of the reason I opted for it was that I have hellish memories of fitting Givi kit to a mates bike, so thought I'd splash out for something a bit better that'd fit better. Oh well. The other part was that I saw their stand at the Hograost and thought 'Oooh, shiney!'

The box does look to be very well made though. So does the rack. Shame it's on the piss.