Ventura rack

Hendo · Jul 11, 2022

Probably discussed before but I'm Interested to know if anyone is using a Ventura luggage rack for their Norton commando, I hear of the rear frame droop if to much weight is applied, but I intend to run the pack resting on the seat rather than hanging over the rear guard.( getting prepared for summer

)
Bike is a 1974 850 mk2 .
Cheers Hendo

lazyeye6 · Jul 11, 2022

Doesn't take too many deep potholes in the road to cause frame droop with not all that much weight on it. There are racks which
triangulate to the Z-Plates and so can support quite a bit of weight. Search this site for discussions about them.

ashman · Jul 11, 2022

The good thing with the Ventura rack it can be set up both ways over the seat facing the front over the rear seat or facing over the mudguard, I am running one on the back of my 1200 Thruxton, as for the Norton you could run a support down to the bottom of the rear shock or somewhere so its not supporting the weight on the rear frame, the Venture I have is made for the Thruxton and mounts under the seat, if on a Norton the rack might have the main support from the top shock mounts not sure, +they aren't design to carry very heavy loads, I have mine set up for a 24ltr bike bag, surprising how much I can fit in it and is part of my traveling gear goes well with my throw over saddle bags.

Ashley

Thomasa · Jul 11, 2022

You might also consider the Craven rack. I looked at their website a couple of days ago. Their rack is buttressed to the Z plate and shaped to go around the shocks. It's made of bent and welded tube. I have an old aluminum rack that came with a padded sissy back rest, since removed, and I made a support to the Z plate from cad-plated tube from a portable air compressor. It had just the right bend to hold my soft bags away from the shocks.

Fast Eddie · Jul 11, 2022

If you have the bag actually on the seat, as you suggest Hendo, then unless the bag weighs more than a pillion I can’t see why you cause any frame droop?!

I’ve not used Ventura on my Commando, but have used the system on other bikes, definitely sounds like a sensible option to me.

Esmerela · Jul 12, 2022

Very pleased with the Ventura luggage, I made the golf club carrier to compliment the system

Hendo · Jul 12, 2022

Thanks for the replies,I don't really want to go to elaborate,expensive system , the ventura looks simple and I guess if needed I could fab some supports to take the weight off the rear frame if I really decide to load up with luggage ! also I guess saddle bags could be another option.... ?
You look well loaded up there Esmerela !!

Fast Eddie · Jul 12, 2022

The advantage to rack / seat based luggage over big saddlebags or panniers is easy / safe filtering.

Mart UK · Jul 12, 2022

Not sure about that. I've been fine. If they're within bar width, I've not found a problem filtering. Plus the weight is lower down with panniers. But a rack looks better than pannier rails, when unladen.

Fast Eddie · Jul 12, 2022

Mart UK said:
Not sure about that. I've been fine. If they're within bar width, I've not found a problem filtering. Plus the weight is lower down with panniers. But a rack looks better than pannier rails, when unladen.

Obviously different for different folk. For me, handlebars are kinda visible, and high up, and manoeuvrable. When weaving in and out of lines of traffic, I like to know I don’t have to worry about the rear, it’s very easy to catch a car bumper etc otherwise.

Onder · Jul 12, 2022

If you have never ridden with panniers it can be quite the eyeopener...they can be great until you meet a bus on the lanes.

joinerjohn · Jul 12, 2022

Onder said:
If you have never ridden with panniers it can be quite the eyeopener...they can be great until you meet a bus on the lanes.

But they do offer the bike excellent crash protection though when maneuvering bike in tight spots, should you get caught out with the extra weight.

johnm · Jul 12, 2022

This one teaches you the lesson

ashman · Jul 12, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
Obviously different for different folk. For me, handlebars are kinda visible, and high up, and manoeuvrable. When weaving in and out of lines of traffic, I like to know I don’t have to worry about the rear, it’s very easy to catch a car bumper etc otherwise.

Saddle bags are no wider than mufflers, foot pegs and handle bars, I only have my throw over saddle bags when traveling so that means highways and twisties and no filtering there, well not here anyway we have a lot of open roads down under, the UK will fit 25 times in Australia and we only have a population of 25 million, we are not jam packed like over in the UK and if I do filter through traffic the saddle bags don't get in the way at all.
I no need to ride in peak hour traffic and when I was working I only lived 5km from work and the peak hour traffic was going the other way and if I need to go cross town I go after peak hour and the rush to get kids to school or pick up time.

Fast Eddie · Jul 13, 2022

johnm said:
This one teaches you the lesson

I wonder which was the most expensive claim… damage to bike or damage to yacht ?!

Fast Eddie · Jul 13, 2022

The idea that panniers are fine so long as they’re no wider than the bars is correct… so long as you’re going perfectly straight! Sadly filtering is seldom like that, and as soon as you deviate from straight, wide panniers are an issue.

I had a BMW courtesy bike once that had panniers and had made that same mental note ‘they’re no wider than the bars, I’ll be fine’. At one ‘delicate point’ I fortunately thought to stop and check… I was moments away from contact, which would have been messy with those solid aluminium boxes !

Of course, it all depends on the width of the panniers, and also your need / desire to filter.

Onder · Jul 13, 2022

The advantages of a bike in the modern world are limited and filtering is one of the real pluses. Escaping miles of tailbacks is just
the best!

daveforty · Jul 13, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
I had a BMW courtesy bike once that had panniers and had made that same mental note ‘they’re no wider than the bars, I’ll be fine’....

I also had a BMW as a loaner once, an R100RT complete with huge full fairing etc.

Huge respect to the police motorcyclists who ride about on bikes that size all day & in traffic.

Fast Eddie · Jul 13, 2022

Onder said:
The advantages of a bike in the modern world are limited and filtering is one of the real pluses. Escaping miles of tailbacks is just
the best!

Well, living in Cornwall as you do, at this time of year, THAT is clearly gonna be important to you !!

Burgs · Jul 13, 2022

Hi
I fitted a Ventura system to my GT750, even though they said it would fit, it didn't had to modify the mounts, that was easy, but it is a great setup, put it over the back of the seat, or hang it out the back if two up.
Quick and easy to remove/fit and then easy to carry to accommodation, expands for extra luggage

.
Not sure about the 650SS and Commando, I don't like to alter them, so think no to luggage.
Burgs

Ventura rack

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