Mounting GIVI rack and bags with Staintune Highmount

Hey folks,

I figured out a novel approach to the question that gets asked pretty frequently about how to mount a set of GIVI hard bags on a bike with a high mount pipe, in this case a Staintune.

I found that if you steal the short stainless steel spacer that Staintune provides to put underneath the passenger hand rail, it is the perfect length to allow you to rotate the pipe counterclockwise (from the rear) and install the spacer as a bracket on the front of the pipe at the passenger foot peg, it positions the pipe just low enough to sufficiently clear the bag. You won't be able to use the rear most bracket, but it really isn't needed. Between the pipe clamp on the header and the foot peg mounting point the pipe is pretty solidly secured. In fact, the OEM pipe only mounts to those two points and it weighs a lot more than the little Staintune pipe, so I'm not sure why they felt it was necessary.

The angle the pipe sits at look kind of goofy when there are no bags mounted, but looks fine to me with the bags on. I'll be rotating the pipe up to normal position and running without the two side bag brackets, just leaving the rear bracket on, for day to day, so I can still use one of my bags on the back as a trunk. Then when it's time for a big road trip, rotate the pipe, mount the pannier racks, snap on the bags and go.

If you decide that you want to leave the rear bracket in place for times when the pipe is up, you'll need to replace the stolen spacer bracket on the left side with a couple of stout washers or something to keep the rack mount level.

I posted a few supporting pictures in my photo album:
http://vfrworld.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/2415/cat/500/ppuser/3129

 

do you think this would work with the wingrack system?

 

Yes, it should, The wingrack holds the bags in approximately the same position that the tubular rack set-up I have does. If anything, my impression is the wingracks are a bit higher, which would allow even more clearance to the bottom of the bags.

 

Could you do a me a big favor and measure the tubes outer diameter and the dimensions of it from the bike where it it starts to bend? I am looking at my wingrack and it just looks like the tubes might be bigger. I am definitely getting staintune exhaust but would prefer to get the highmount to show the rear wheel off while riding solo...the low mount doesn't look TOO bad...just prefer to have the high mount.

If you could measure I'd greatly appreciate that. If not, no worries.

 

Do what now?

I'd be glad to help you, friend. But the point is not where the rack is, but rather where the bottom of your bags end up on the racks. That's what you're trying to clear with the exhaust bracket mod.

 

I see... I was under the impression that the mounting brackets were the problem.

In THAT case... I'll have to figure out my own dimensions then in a couple of weeks. My bike is currently in pieces due to replacing a leaking shock and having to clean the entire swingarm and rear of the engine. Not to mention new chain, sprockets, brake pads, clutch, and even a brake disc....pretty much a full over haul for 34k miles. Front forks are getting the race tech treatment once the rest of the bike is back together.

So once I get the bike back together in about 2 weeks (hopefully...if i don't have to go out of town for work yet) I'll take a look at the wingrack on the bike and check the dimensions and send them to you with pics of where i took the measurements at so we can compare. I appreciate all your help. Thanks. Until then, take care.