Hard luggage racks for a 4th gen

I'm planning another long camping trip on a bike this summer, but I'm seriously thinking about taking the VFR this year instead of the Katana. It's a much nicer ride

Anyway, I'd like to get some cheap waterproof hard luggage this year, as well as put together a rack I can strap bags to. On my Katana, the grab rail had four bolts on the outside that I was able to use, but I'm not sure what my options are on the VFR. Where do luggage racks normally attach on this bike? I looked around and I think it was implied that there are attach points under the fairings, is this correct?

I also need to build a rack that goes over the pillion seat, but high or far back enough that I can still remove the seat to get to the battery. On my Kat this wasn't a problem since the pillion seat was separate from the main seat, but on this bike it's one piece so removing the seat from under the rack will be more difficult. Where do tail bags normally mount?

Hard luggage-wise, I'm hoping to find something cheap on eBay that I can build a mount for, likely not something made for the VFR. I'm primarily interested in the luggage being waterproof and durable.

For reference, this was my setup on the Kat: with tarp, and without tarp.

 

Luggage the easy way, use BMW/Krauser. Try this: Honda CBX luggage rack / detachable hard bags : eBay Motors (item 160433852913 end time May-16-10 17:14:15 PDT)

Luggage rack, I like Renntec for the VFR. Solid, not too big, bolts on. Here you go, In UK, but this is the one for your bike: Honda VFR750 FR / FV Renntec Sports Rack on eBay (end time 14-May-10 16:08:29 BST)

Worked for my 93, but I had to alter the Renntec to fit my bike, and I added a backrest.

BTW, you're carrying too much junk. Remember, this is bike touring, just the essentials.

Larry

 

Thanks for that, I'll definitely keep an eye out for Krauser.

I like how it mounts, but I may need to either modify it to make it wider or make something similar to support a duffel bag. It looks to be an excellent starting point though, thanks!

I know it looks like a lot of junk, but I used all of it on a two week camping trip. I carried a lot of tools (many of which I used) in the red bag, along with my clothes. Then I had sleeping bag, tent, alternate jacket (for different weather), extra gas in case I strayed too far from civilization (definitely gonna need it this year on the Dalton Highway), tripod, and tarps. If anything, I'll probably refine my tool set this year, which should cut back on the weight.

 

Well I lost the auction on the CBX luggage rack, but I'm glad I did because I eventually found out about Pelican cases. I bought a pair of 1520 cases for $190 shipped, so when they get here I'll get to work figuring out how to mount them. They are quite durable from what I've read about them. I could've bought a pair of 1550 cases for about the same price but they're a little bit bigger than I would like to mount.

Once I get that all sorted I'll look for a rear case and then I'll be set!

 

Racks built, now I just gotta paint them, and make the hardware to bolt to the cases.

 

When I was making it I thought I put it far enough away from the rear wheel for it to not be a problem, but I should check it. Here's more of a side-view:



I thought about trying to ratchet strap the wheel to the rear subframe, but I hadn't tried it. I have to unmount everything tonight anyway, so I may give that a shot if it doesn't take too much force.

 

I couldn't work out a way to ratchet strap the wheel like I had planned, so I had my dad come over and sit on the bike while i pulled down on the rack in the back. Between the two of us bouncing the suspension we were able to make it touch I guess I forgot about that when I changed the design to lower the rack...

So I welded up a new cross bar that goes high, well beyond where the wheel sits. I haven't put it back on the bike yet but when I do I'll post pictures.

 

Finished the side panniers! I really like the slide and lift mechanism, the cases come right off.







Plenty of clearance for the rear tire now (thanks for reminding me tinkerinWstuff!)



The luggage hooks onto the rack...



...then the tabs slide under the catches...



...and the locking mechanism can be depressed, which slides a bolt into the frame, preventing the case from sliding back.



Next, the top/rear luggage rack and case. I have a Storm iM2750 I'm going to mount back there...