Luggage Rack Panniers

Well someone asked me to show the details for the saddlebag rack on my 850 interstate. I washed the bike so I had some of the bits off to describe in more detail with pictures how it goes on the bike.
First off, I bought this kit from Bruce Chessell last year before the riding season was over. He is a member here on this forum and also a Ontario Norton Owner member. It consists of two separate systems, which can be used with just a tail rack or add some saddlebag frames to incorporate Givi type hard cases or with a Givi type tail case.



Here you go dero. The tail rack is held on with 4 U shaped clamps with aluminum spacers between. The rectangle saddlebag frames are then added to the rack via aluminum spacers and bolt/nut fixings.




Note: The spacers that I received with the kit would be ok for a roadster setup but the interstate had to have the whole assembly further back so I made my own from 1" aluminum round stock.
Because the rear frame loop tapers, I needed to machine angles to one end of the spacers at the rear to match the tapered section of the frame tube.



Top shot. Givi tabs and pins on the frame assembly. The saddlebag frame has a number of angles that can be adjusted via holes to suit the type of exhaust system for your rig. I happen to like the up swept pea shooter style on my Interstate and a proper concourse exhaust would be lower and more parallel to the ground so you could choose a more rectangular hard case to suit.



These are the tapered type Givi that I found to look the best for the up swept-ed exhaust on most commandos and will work on my Combat. I had to make some adjustments to the holes as the key to disconnect the hard case was too tight.



Here you see that the seat is very close to the tail rack but I can get it off with the stock release system. You might need more room if you have the MarkIII seat. Again Roadster tank setups can have everything moved forward and even more so with a corbin seat setup. One of our younger ONO members (Danny) has this setup.



All back together again with a click into the tabs.

One beef I had with the kit was that the hardware that came with it was Nation Coarse thread and regular nut fixings. ONO (Pete Turner) had one of his U shaped fall off on him on the road. He used just more washers to build up the space where I used aluminum round stock. I had access to a lathe/ milling machine. I tossed all the NC hardware and used NF nuts and bolts with Blue Loctite....Nortons Best friend. :wink:
Let me know what you think. Oh by the way....I know I need a paintjob on the frame. I plan on doing the whole bike and front fairing this winter.
Happy Trails.
Cheers,
Thomas

Very nice. Thanks for posting.

I've been researching saddlebag options for my commando because sometimes I can't take my bike to certain places because I have no way to carry any cargo back and forth. I also like the quick disconnect option for sport riding locally....

I should do something cheap and simple, but now that I've seen what you have done, I'll probably go way overboard... 8)

o0norton0o said:

Very nice. Thanks for posting.

I've been researching saddlebag options for my commando because sometimes I can't take my bike to certain places because I have no way to carry any cargo back and forth. I also like the quick disconnect option for sport riding locally....

I should do something cheap and simple, but now that I've seen what you have done, I'll probably go way overboard... 8)

Click to expand...

worntorn said:

They attach to some quick buckles that are anchored on the frame.
I didn't move the quick buckles over but here is the pannier on the Norton. It lined up perfectly at bottom with the muffler ISO attachment.

Glen

Click to expand...

thruxton-details-t23722-255.html

Thanks for sharing Thomas. You invited us to let you know what we think. I wonder about the lack of bracing between the rack/rear loop and the lower frame of the bike. I have a couple of the old Craven designs, and they use a diagonal brace down to the passenger peg that keeps the rear loop from drooping. You can see the brace in this image: http://www.mowbray.de/nortonseat/craven_panniers.jpg
The rear loop on Commandos has a tendency to droop, even before you hang loaded panniers on it.

Stephen Hill

Thanks Thomas , much appreciated . I was also wondering about the brace to the foot peg , as some have reported problems .
Have you noticed any problems with drooping or cracking ?
Hobot posted some pics of a braced setup that looked good a while back .
Your setup looks very good also .

Stephen Hill said:

Thanks for sharing Thomas. You invited us to let you know what we think. I wonder about the lack of bracing between the rack/rear loop and the lower frame of the bike. I have a couple of the old Craven designs, and they use a diagonal brace down to the passenger peg that keeps the rear loop from drooping. You can see the brace in this image: http://www.mowbray.de/nortonseat/craven_panniers.jpg
The rear loop on Commandos has a tendency to droop, even before you hang loaded panniers on it.

Stephen Hill

Click to expand...

Hi Stephen,
Bruce did mention that the kit can incorporate the extra braces if needed but I did not get them for my bike. The saddlebag frames have predrilled holes in the forward lowest corner so you can make some extra supports. The previous owner to my bike reinforced the rear loop quite a bit and I had to remove some metal to get the tail rack as far forward without interfering with my seat. I have not noticed any issues with the rear loop drooping. My Combat has a gusset like the Old Brits so It should not have any issues. I would recommend the extra brace for bikes prior to 73 or unmodified tail loops.

Cheers.
Thomas

dero said:

Thanks Thomas , much appreciated . I was also wondering about the brace to the foot peg , as some have reported problems .
Have you noticed any problems with drooping or cracking ?
Hobot posted some pics of a braced setup that looked good a while back .
Your setup looks very good also .

Click to expand...

dero,
You may have issues when riding two up and heavy riders . I'm about 180#. I have reinforced the gusset at the rear hoop so there is now ample support.
Cheers,
Thomas

Here is my solution. I'm not proud of look, but it works with three Givi boxes without the loop being bent.