Packing the bike for camping trip, rack, no topbox

Originally Posted by Svsmokey

And now for something completely different ! I took a piece of aluminum plate (dump truck bed liner) , cut it to shape , cut a coupe of slots in it and hammered between the slots to replicate the seat hook . bolted on a latch pin from an old bandit seat . Cut a piece of plywood and bolted it thru the bag of my choice into the plate . Looks bitchin (no visible means of support) and changes from rear seat to pack in an instant using the key . U can also drill some bungee holes. In the plate for more versatility . Tools required are a hand grinder with a cutoff wheel , a drill , a hammer and wrenches . The plate is about 3/16 " thickl

Troll anyone?

Originally Posted by wow

Troll anyone?

No, not really.

He gave an alternative solution...hard one to do, but an alternative none the less.

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah hard work.

People suggesting tailpacks, you won't fit a tent, dossbag and roll mat in a tailpack!
Just bungee the lot on, it will be fine.

If you're 2 up a rack makes life loads easier. Otherwise you can bungee things behind the grab rail, but it's not roomy or particularly straightforward.

Took about 2 hours to build . Have used many times , and swaps out with the pillion and vice versa in an instant . Well worth the effort if u have the tools .

Originally Posted by Svsmokey

Took about 2 hours to build . Have used many times , and swaps out with the pillion and vice versa in an instant . Well worth the effort if u have the tools .

And a lot of American guys have a garage full of the right tools.

On another note was down your way a year ago as my sister in law lives in Bull Head City and we took a drive to London. Pretty cool replica bridge and shops! We where out in arizona a few months ago again but spent more time down san Diego where it was a bit cooler in the evenings, than the desert

As unlikely as it seems , if memory serves , that is the original bridge !

I use a cargo net type thing to hold tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag to bike rear seat. I then carry the rest in a rucksack. Used to be a 35L Berghaus but last weekend used Kriega on a rally for first time. Faultless.

My bike is now topbox less woohoo and I had a look underneath the bike and it's perfectly suitable to wrap a strap underneath. My friend's bike was hollow and the plastic would break if he would do the same so I'm glad that the SV is built this way.

The nice LED lights are on full display finally and it is much better plus the tail tidy of course which looks nice too.

Originally Posted by bluefishman

yes, but what can you do if carrying a pillion?.

Tell the pillion to get their own bloody bike.

Since pillion is wasting valuable space they carry the gear in rucksack on their back. Or they go down in car with fridge, barby grill and lots of beer.