Mounting Craven Bags

I just bought a set of Craven panniers and rack that I plan on mounting on my Commando. They were previously mounted on a BMW. The sides of the rack are not parallel, as in the rack and mounting arms are wider at the forward end, narrower at the rear. Do I need to do some serious modifications to make the rack parallel, and thus sit closer to the bike frame? Or is this the way Craven racks are meant to be, and I should just build my brackets and spacers to suit?

Stephen
1968 Fastback
1970 Mercury
1971 Roadster
1974 Interstate

Stephen Hill said:

I just bought a set of Craven panniers and rack that I plan on mounting on my Commando. They were previously mounted on a BMW. The sides of the rack are not parallel, as in the rack and mounting arms are wider at the forward end, narrower at the rear. Do I need to do some serious modifications to make the rack parallel, and thus sit closer to the bike frame? Or is this the way Craven racks are meant to be, and I should just build my brackets and spacers to suit?

Click to expand...

Isn't it going to be tough to get the panniers to clear the peashooters? Seems like you may have to go to the early Commando/Atlas exhaust system to get enough clearance. I have thought a lot about how to carry more gear on a Commando but it isn't easy!!

tpeever said:

Stephen Hill said:

I just bought a set of Craven panniers and rack that I plan on mounting on my Commando. They were previously mounted on a BMW. The sides of the rack are not parallel, as in the rack and mounting arms are wider at the forward end, narrower at the rear. Do I need to do some serious modifications to make the rack parallel, and thus sit closer to the bike frame? Or is this the way Craven racks are meant to be, and I should just build my brackets and spacers to suit?

Click to expand...

Isn't it going to be tough to get the panniers to clear the peashooters? Seems like you may have to go to the early Commando/Atlas exhaust system to get enough clearance. I have thought a lot about how to carry more gear on a Commando but it isn't easy!!

Click to expand...

Don't you mean use Interstate exhausts? That's why they were flatter, to clear bags and such. No?

swooshdave said:

Don't you mean use Interstate exhausts? That's why they were flatter, to clear bags and such. No?

Click to expand...

I didn't think Interstates had a different exhaust system but I could be wrong. I think I remember seeing photos of very early Commandos that had retained exhaust systems parallel to the ground like the Dommies and Atlases. I also remember seeing a later-model Interstate Commando (maybe a 74?) that a guy had outfitted for touring. He had installed the Dommie/Atlas exhaust system to give him clearance for bags. I think the low silencers look kinda funny on a Commando but it seems like it's the only way you can get enough clearance for anything but the teeny tiniest bags!

My 1968 Commando has the oroginal low Atlas style exhaust, so vertical clearance is not an issue. And as somebody pointed out, the Interstate also came with low pipes, for that very reason. I was just wondering if anybody had any experience mounting Cravens on a Commando, and if they had to do any mods because the odd shape of the oroginal bracket.

Stephen

The Craven carrier is narrower at the rear but so is the Commando seat loop so this isn't a problem. I used grab rail clamps to mount mine but I can't remember where I've put my fitting kit so I'm not sure if any additional spacers were required. As I recall, the carrier arms did sit parallel with the seat loop. What are the dimensions of yours ?

There is a lot of adjustment on the Cravens in terms of pannier position and in fact they can fit with upswept reverse cone silencers also. They need to be mounted a little higher at the rear.

The only pictures that I have of mine are old scanned photos. Sorry about the quality.





Later Cravens had lighter weight supports from the footrest lugs and can let the cases shake around a bit. It is also worth considering a brace across the rear between the panniers. This was supplied with the set-up originally but it does mean the loss of the QD facility.

tpeever said:

swooshdave said:

Don't you mean use Interstate exhausts? That's why they were flatter, to clear bags and such. No?

Click to expand...

I didn't think Interstates had a different exhaust system but I could be wrong. I think I remember seeing photos of very early Commandos that had retained exhaust systems parallel to the ground like the Dommies and Atlases. I also remember seeing a later-model Interstate Commando (maybe a 74?) that a guy had outfitted for touring. He had installed the Dommie/Atlas exhaust system to give him clearance for bags. I think the low silencers look kinda funny on a Commando but it seems like it's the only way you can get enough clearance for anything but the teeny tiniest bags!

Click to expand...

Stock Interstate exhaust pipe with Dunstall mufflers.