54GLS Rear Rack

shropshire lad · Post by **shropshire lad** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:12 pm

Does anyone have a rack for subject bike, or know of a manufacturer. Needed to carry tent etc next month.

Thanks

Alan

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:31 pm

Alan

Have you tried JSL?

900649 REAR CARRIER FITS 1951-58
023233.Rear Carrier fits s/arm models with 2-piece rear guard.

Stocks are apparently low, I believe that you can fit the later rack to an earlier machine though if desperate.

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:37 pm

Alan
I fitted a rack three years ago from Andrew Engineering (01942 888848) for the camping gear on my '54 G3LS.
All the bolt holes lined up and it has stood the test of about 5000 miles loaded with camping gear without blemish. (Well, maybe just a few splashes of Bordeaux on my shirt). I think it was about 50 squids.
I did find tho' that I had to put only light stuff at the very rear of the rack - sleeping bag, clothes and pillow etc - the tent at the forward end of the rack, and the rest in throw-overs across the pillion seat area. I found that with the weight biased towards the rear ( I beg your pardon, madam) I suffered awful front wheel wobble at slow speed - 5 to 20 mph and when I took one hand off the 'bars to signal. Adjusting the steering head races helped reduce it.
FWIW I pack my dry stuff in two roll-top plastic canoeists bags. £6.99 each from camping shops (but not Millets). Everything stayed perfectly dry for 500 Cornish Jampot sea miles.

GSAX1 · Post by **GSAX1** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:45 pm

The rear rack is absolutely the worst place to fasten heavy luggage. Almost any bike will be upset by this. Better put heavy stuff in a tank bag.

Michael

Tolly · Post by **Tolly** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:25 pm

Pillow? Pillow I couldn't get mine in my tank bag.

AJS650 · Post by **AJS650** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:29 pm

quote:
Pillow? Pillow I couldn't get mine in my tank bag.

i have built in pillows( so kev tells me anyway) plus i don`t fit on the tank very well ( i have tried)

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 1:00 am

quote:
Pillow? Pillow I couldn't get mine in my tank bag.

Yep, after many years' trying to sleep using rolled up (more often than not, wet) riding gear and boots etc I now take a half-size real pillow, normally drizzled with a few drops of soothing oil - I use SAE 50 in summer. 30 in winter of course and changed every 1000 miles. It is THE most important bit of camping kit and squashes down to next to nothing. Sheer bliss!
My tent (which is my heaviest item) won't fit in my tank bag which is, in these globally warmed days reserved for my one-piece waterproof suit, spare dry gloves, waterproof overboots, a couple of Snickers bars, loo roll and first aid kit, bread maker, cuddly toy... no, not the last two actually, I jest; they go in the panniers.
Built-in pillows are but a dream. A recurring and somewhat disturbing dream it must be said. I must get details from ITMA of his lust removing potions.
Re. having heavy gear at the rear (no, not you madam), I often wonder how some riders manage when I see them stowing cooker, tent, tools etc in their huge top boxes mounted high up on their classics.
Maybe they don't wobble.
Even hedges need hugs.

GSAX1 · Post by **GSAX1** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:22 am

Instead of bringing a pillow, use the stuff bag from your sleeping bag. Stuff clothes inside and presto, you have a pillow.

Michael

itma · Post by **itma** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:42 pm

your problem Sprid, is your prediliction for skinny widows, go for a plump one next time

My missus is not at all skinny and so I sleep very comfortably thanks

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:19 am

quote:
Instead of bringing a pillow, use the stuff bag from your sleeping bag. Stuff clothes inside and presto, you have a pillow.

Michael

Hmm, Michael, I must admit that haven't tried that since I was a Boy Scout 40 or more years ago. Strangely, my head felt as if it was resting on a bag stuffed with clothes.