Pannier modification

[MikeG]

I am looking into putting Givi boxes on the GS (2007 1200) but the standard set up makes the bike too wide - having to avoid the exhaust - the boxes sticking out like airbrakes. Wunderlich do a mod which lowers the tailpipe (and doesn't quite cost the earth) and allows for panniers to be fitted closer into the bike, but unfortunately the only rack I can find which takes advantage of this is also Wunderlich, does cost the earth and takes boxes which are both over the top for my needs and are even more expensive.

I am therefore looking at something standard that could be modified or making a rack from scratch - so if anyone who has done something similar of has the answer please let me know.

 

[Bendy toy]

Hepco & Becker might be worth a look but again not cheap. Another option would be to get some alloy plates laser cut and fit a latch and mushroom set from Givi Spares as used on their Wingrack. Or even have the plates laser cut with tags/arms that can be bent down to attach to the bike's mounting points. Make accurate patterns from stiff card.

To get my cases in close and junk the hideous looking but strong Wingrack, I made this for my Diversion from 5/8" OD steel tube. I borrowed a plumbers imperial pipe bender and my own cheap welding set from Aldi. If you can get some 15mm tube you can use a cheaper 15/22mm tube bender. I made my own latch plates and mushrooms for monokey cases, but later found they can be bought from Givi.

It did about 30,000 miles with all sorts of stuff on board and it actually helped to sell the bike.

 

[Bendy toy]

The RHS Adventure case frame is 115mm from the tyre but does give room for the final drive. The (afterthought) cut-out on the LHS frame gives an extra 65mm of wheel space.

The exhaust is angled outwards, but there is no real need for the cutaway case. A 100mm diameter exhaust can (or stacked pair) would easily fit in the 115mm space behind a not cut-away frame. The cans are not rubber mounted so need minimal space to move about. The exhaust silencer case never gets seriously hot.

I had discussed having a stacked pair of 100mm dia cans made for my bike (to fit a Remus header) by Xtreme Stainless at Hixon, Staffordshire. Then I came across an Akraprovic Ti "Race" system for not much money. Annoyingly the cans are angled so I cant fit two RHS cases to my bike. Cutting and bending the titanium exhaust is a step too much, but the Akra design could easily have been much more space efficient.