Solo luggage rack

[mbramley]

 I'm thinking of going to solo seat. Does anyone know if the luggage rail for the rear fender is still available? What company/ companies makes them? I've been looking on some of the boards and haven't seen a used one yet.

[Rams]

I'm thinking of going to solo seat. Does anyone know if the luggage rail for the rear fender is still available? What company/ companies makes them? I've been looking on some of the boards and haven't seen a used one yet.

I have no idea about a manufacturer but, when I need things like that, I contact Troutdude or Valkhound or Da Prez.   One will normally have anything related to a Valkyrie.

Rams

[Jess from VA]

The problem with the original custom chrome rack (and this new one), is they are curved and not so conducive to carrying a load (without a lot of bungees).  The best luggage rack is flat, to do it's job (not to look cool).  There was an outfit in Montreal Canada (Custom World International) that made really great flat solo racks, but they went out of business a few years back.

I have this one, and it takes a couple heavy duty bungees and a net bungee on top so stuff doesn't wobble.  And even then, a big duffle will droop on each side, lay on the bag lids and rub your paint.  And a towel or soft cloth does not help at all.  Before I got some waterproof bike luggage that holds it's shape (stiff, even fully loaded), I had to zip tie a 5/8" dowel across the rack to hold the softside duffel off my paint.

[mbramley]

 Thanks for the info. That might work Meathead. I never thought about the curved rack not working so well. It does make sense when you think about it though. For traveling I tow a trailer I made , for me it just makes things easier. I ordered the racks for on top of my new bags, now I wonder if I should have saved that 150.00 to use on something more useful?

[Jess from VA]

Bag lid racks are mostly about looks (or to attempt to keep passenger children's feet off the bags, though they will still scuff the leading edge paint anyway).  I've only ever seen one or two people actually tie anything to them.  They are mostly just good handles to use for lifting the lids on and off.  And cause more work to wash, wax and dust underneath.  And they need the holes and hardware waterproofed on mounting so bag contents don't get wet.

One of my interstates came with every available Hondaline rack added (except for the trunk rail which is only about looks and a PITA to install).  It is a nice looking bike, no doubt. 

The wraparound bag rails are however a great functional protection for paint and bags.

[Rams]

Thanks for the info. That might work Meathead. I never thought about the curved rack not working so well. It does make sense when you think about it though. For traveling I tow a trailer I made , for me it just makes things easier. I ordered the racks for on top of my new bags, now I wonder if I should have saved that 150.00 to use on something more useful?

I ride solo, don't even have a passenger seat mounted and when I travel on the Valkyrie (two wheels) or the Valkyrie Trike, I use my tag along trailer.   It's old but, one of the best buys I've gotten when it comes to biking/triking.   Some folks don't like towing, to each their own.

Rams

[Willow]

If you're more worried about the appearance of your bike than its functionality then what Jess says makes some sense.  If you are an experienced long distance rider you can use the curved rack or bag racks to carry your minimal luggage.  Long distance riders travel with minimal luggage.  Come to think of it if you are concerned about the appearance of your bike why would you mount a flat luggage rack on the fender?  While I was traveling on a Magna (before the Valk) I encountered a Valkyrie rider on a Cruiser riding with his wife and they had used the bag racks to tie on two sleeping bags.

[mbramley]

If you're more worried about the appearance of your bike than its functionality then what Jess says makes some sense.  If you are an experienced long distance rider you can use the curved rack or bag racks to carry your minimal luggage.  Long distance riders travel with minimal luggage.  Come to think of it if you are concerned about the appearance of your bike why would you mount a flat luggage rack on the fender?  While I was traveling on a Magna (before the Valk) I encountered a Valkyrie rider on a Cruiser riding with his wife and they had used the bag racks to tie on two sleeping bags.

 I am concerned with appearance of course; these are beautiful bikes. I'm learning distance, most of which is the last 4 Inzanes. I'll have hard bags and I prefer to use my trailer.  I can leave everything except a change of clothes in the trailer at night. That may change one of these days who knows. I have at least 2 months to figure it all out.

[Jess from VA]

I'll have hard bags and I prefer to use my trailer.

Well I am one of those guys who would never pull a trailer (nothing against anyone else doing it).

So I have to carry my gear on the bike, and for a 3-7 day trip, I like to have enough clothing I don't have to do laundry (or wear the underwear inside out, or wash it in the sink and hang in the shower).  My bags carry all tools, spares, emergency, pump, tire repair, bike half cover, rain and cold gear and everything else I want to always stay on the bike, even at my destination.  That pretty much fills them up.

So I lug a big duffel with clothes, shoes, toilet and everything that goes right in the room for the duration (one bag inside and done), and that goes on my solo rack.

This one does not droop on the ends over the rack.  And is waterproof to the bottom of a swimming pool.


(not a Valkyrie  )

[Lefebvredds]

Ive looked for that curved rack but can't seem to find it.   Did the rack come with your bike or did you buy aftermarket?

Thanks
Mike

The problem with the original custom chrome rack (and this new one), is they are curved and not so conducive to carrying a load (without a lot of bungees).  The best luggage rack is flat, to do it's job (not to look cool).  There was an outfit in Montreal Canada (Custom World International) that made really great flat solo racks, but they went out of business a few years back.

I have this one, and it takes a couple heavy duty bungees and a net bungee on top so stuff doesn't wobble.  And even then, a big duffle will droop on each side, lay on the bag lids and rub your paint.  And a towel or soft cloth does not help at all.  Before I got some waterproof bike luggage that holds it's shape (stiff, even fully loaded), I had to zip tie a 5/8" dowel across the rack to hold the softside duffel off my paint.

[hubcapsc]

Ive looked for that curved rack but can't seem to find it.   Did the rack come with your bike or did you buy aftermarket?
Thanks
Mike

The curved one (made from tubes) was Big Bike Parts... about $35 new. I think I've seen them
for ten times that used.

The laser-cut one is from Big Bike Things... still available I'm pretty sure...

-Mike

[klb]

I put the rack and cruiser bar from Big Bike Things on my 01.

[Rams]

If you're more worried about the appearance of your bike than its functionality then what Jess says makes some sense.  If you are an experienced long distance rider you can use the curved rack or bag racks to carry your minimal luggage.  Long distance riders travel with minimal luggage.  Come to think of it if you are concerned about the appearance of your bike why would you mount a flat luggage rack on the fender?  While I was traveling on a Magna (before the Valk) I encountered a Valkyrie rider on a Cruiser riding with his wife and they had used the bag racks to tie on two sleeping bags.

OH, I agree.   Before I got my tag along trailer, I'd use bungie cords on anything I thought would stabilize my baggage/cargo.

Rams