luggage rack fitting for a 2011 B5

[Jack Leis]

Here is my contribution to the thread. I mounted this rack a couple of days ago. Hitchcock's Electra/G5 rear carrier. I like it !

[mattsz]

Looks good, Jack!  But... what can you tell me about those rear turn signals?

[Jack Leis]

Thanks MattsZ, the turn signals are from Chaparral, a local motorcycle super parts store in this area. I believe they are Bikemasters. I really cant remember. I really despised the stock signals, thus the change. I got the idea from Bare. I put them on the front as well.

[LarsBloodbeard]

I might have to grab some of those turn signals too...  They look flat black.  Did they come that way or did you paint them?

[mattsz]

Are they LED?

[Jack Leis]

They came matted black. They are incandescent. I put the brightest LED's I could get to fit in them and they were actually less bright then the originals. They work fairly well for their size. They are NOT D.O.T. approved but WTF , running them anyway.

[barenekd]

The same turn signals are available from Cycle Gear. Leave the stock bulbs in them. They are a pain to change to start with, then you have to go through the hassles of setting up LEDs for the turn signals. and they are quite bright.
Bare

[LarsBloodbeard]

x

[mplayle]

Kind of an "On Topic" hijack here.

Jack, could you provide a few more details on your setup?  I'm strongly considering getting a new C5 model and want to at least put some form of saddle-bags and rack on it.  Which bike model and what rack/bags arrangement are you running?  Thanks.

[Jack Leis]

Kind of an "On Topic" hijack here.

Jack, could you provide a few more details on your setup?  I'm strongly considering getting a new C5 model and want to at least put some form of saddle-bags and rack on it.  Which bike model and what rack/bags arrangement are you running?  Thanks.

Your not hijacking anymore then that damn Larsbloodbeard does. Its a 2011 G5 , I have River Road Medium Slanted Saddlebags, Nfield Gear Saddlebag Brackets behind them and the Rear Carrier is from Hitchcock's. I hope this has helped.

[LarsBloodbeard]

Your not hijacking anymore then that damn Larsbloodbeard does.

D'oh.  Sorry.

[mattsz]

mplayle - you didn't hijack the thread, you brought it back on topic!

And Jack, to be fair to Larsbloodbeard (this time, anyway), I was the one who asked about the lights.  Is it bad etiquette to hijack your own thread? 

[mplayle]

Thanks for the information Jack, it does help.  I can look up the specifics with what you provided.

The "hijack" comments gave me a well needed giggle this morning.

Cheers!

[gremlin]

Is it bad etiquette to hijack your own thread? 

it's ok behind closed doors .....

[mattsz]

Some further details about my rack mounting...

Bare suggested these, or something like it:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/ms21919clamps2.php

I found them at my local hardware store, but I wasn't impressed with their strength, and the slip-on cushioning didn't wow me either.  But then I found a similar style of clip, but made heavier - steel possibly?  It was still bendable, but not like the aluminum.  Also, they were dipped in some kind of liquid vinyl coating which gave it a nice thick stable cushion.  The "proper" size clips (5/8" maybe?) were too tight, and didn't close up around the frame well, due to the thickness of the vinyl coating.  I ended up getting 3/4" clips, which when tightened down, gripped the frame pretty well - just slightly moveable, but when I mounted all four rack points and torqued everything, the rack is rock solid.  And I trust the clamps for cargo carrying, or for a pillion rider on short hops.

As for the sprung pillion seat, I can't tell what's going on with the rear mount for the NFG one:

http://nfieldgear.com/enfield-store/aftermarket-parts-accessories/seats/old-fashioned-pillion.html

But the Hitchcocks one looks like a simple bolt-on:

http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/http://assets.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/pictures/category4404/large/91402.jpg

My rack does *not* fit my bike as shown in the Hitchcocks photo.  The fender is seriously in the way of that extended shock mount bolt...