Rockster Luggage Rack...homemade

[EvilBunnySlipper]

Hello All

I've had my 2003 Rocster for just over a year now and was getting tired of always wearing a back-pack for things like my rainsuit etc. And
the back-pack I was using was not a good idea to put my laptop in as it had little padding and my laptop backpack didn't have carrying capacity.

So I decided that a topbox would be nice , I had one on my '98 F650ST and It cam in very handy at times....especially when I had to stop at the grocery store
on my way and pick up things for the wife. I started looking around for a rack/backing plate I could use on the bike but the BMW,Wunderlich ones were a
little over priced in my opinion so I set out to build my own one.

I have to mention that in no way, shape or form do I consider myself very handy with tools.....

The first thing I did was cut some 0.7inch (19mm) pipe into shorter segments...filling them with soapy water and putting it in the chest freezer...I then bend the pipe over a bigger
diameter pipe (I forgot to take pictures of this.

I then used 1inch(25mm) flat baar and made first some L-brackets to mount at the mounting points that sits halfway up the seatframe.
Then I bend a curve in some of the pipe to make the Pipe running up the seat Side fairing Curving up at the back, I used som more flat bar to make brackets that mount at the
back mount points (the ones with two holes).
I added two "lips" to this Pipe and made a some more brackets from flatbar.

I then made the actual luggage rack bit from the pipe and welded three strips of flatbar across. I then cleaned up all the welding and added body filler to the fill in the mess.
Sprayed it all black using some Rust-o-leum Primer and Paint and mounted the topbox on it.

I wanted to add Pics but I have no idea how to do that...

[EvilBunnySlipper]

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/843 ... 3dee_z.jpg
All welding done and bodyfiller added

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/843 ... 15a4_z.jpg
Ready for getting a coat of paint

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/843 ... bd01_z.jpg
Painting all done

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/843 ... 19dc_z.jpg
Capping the sidebars

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/842 ... 4fc9_z.jpg
Side Bars Fitted

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/843 ... ebc2_z.jpg
Rack Complete

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/842 ... bbf9_z.jpg
TopBox Fitted

[riceburner]

The ability to weld is sooo friggin' useful! I really REALLY ought to learn.

[kirby]

Alotta work!!!
Nicely done!! Thanks for sharing.
mike

[omg1010]

The ability to weld is sooo friggin' useful! I really REALLY ought to learn.

There is a nice book available out there called "welding for dummies". I have it and it is really useful!

Brgds
Oliver

[ganesan8770]

Excellent and innovative work Bro

Keith Ganesan from Malaysia

[ganesan8770]

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh32 ... 1361264607
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh32 ... 1361264718
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh32 ... 1361264741

What I did was, I bought the original bracked for the Rockster from BMW and placed a GIVI box that came with a base.
Total cost of my Top box was USD 250

[ganesan8770]

Sorry, Bracket

[ganesan8770]

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh32 ... idenew.jpg

Side view of my bike.

Bought it new, 5 years ago. its a great bike.

I have done 54,000 Kms now.

[jobooth321]

You do good work, man. Impressive.

:thumbs up:

[Grandpa ripper]

Do you have any BMW shelf part numbers? Mine has the hard luggage, so I would need mods like yours. The home made one is on a different frame due to lack of luggage racks.

Many trunks available, but no aftermarket shelves that I can find.

Wow on the reflective tape!