Homemade case mounts.

jrusell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
460
Location
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
I originally wanted a setup that didn't require opening the cases to remove them. Time was tight last year so I went with a hockey puck system with internal knobs for the top mounts. After stumbling across RCinNC post on his case mounts a few weeks ago I decided to revisit my hockey puck mounts and have a second go at a slightly different setup.
I kept the lower mounts I had, but removed the top pucks and went with an Aluminum angle that mounts tightly across the top of the racks top bar. I then mounted two hinges below the top bar and drilled holes through both that a pin can slide down through and hold the cases to the rack. The only tricky part is making sure the holes are drilled so there is no play between the pins/rack and the bags are held nice and snug to the rack.

It's not pretty, but I really don't care how it looks. I wanted something simple with no knobs to be tightened etc and this fits the bill for now. I had a couple of old signs I dug out of the scrap bin at work and used these inside my cases to help stiffen the back panel up. No more flex in the case backs with these. I will need to seal the old hockey puck mount holes in the back.

I drilled another hole as well that can be used to lock the cases to the rack. I used a long shank master lock to keep them secure and square PTO lock pins to hold them to the racks. Right side works really well, left side is a little tighter because the pipe is close to the rack and it's harder to reach down and rotate the hinges up and insert the pins. Minor issue as I usually leave the boxes on the bike.
 

Attachments

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,816
Location
North Carolina
I think that should work just fine, and the fact that you repurposed some scrap items to construct it makes it even better. The measure of success of a design is how well it satisfies your needs; if it works the way you want it to, then it's successful.

This won't matter if you never take the cases off, but if I could suggest one thing, it would be to take a file and round off the corners of the aluminum angle. They can be a drag when you bang your shin on one if the cases are sitting in a hotel room, and the sharp edges can be hard on furniture and floors when you're moving the cases around.
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
Staff member
Global Moderator
2011 Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
11,489
Location
Damascus, MD
+1 to all that RC wrote. You could also split a piece of hose and robber glue it on that aluminum edge.


You might also consider doing something to keep the lock from rattling.
 

jrusell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
460
Location
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Yeah it all has to come apart to be cleaned/smoothed out before spring. We had a few nice warm day so the main goal was to get the main items done and confirm my idea would work. Yeah the locks might be an issue. I will see after a few rides if they move around and start to rattle.

A few at work kinda look at me funny when I ask if they are throwing things out. I refuse to buy anything if I think I can make my own version. Last summer they were installing new signs at the plant I work at. (huge waste of money) I came in for night shift and walked by the old sign. 3'-0" x 7'-0" x 1/4 inch aluminum sheet. I find out they are just going to put it in the scrap pile and send it to the recyclers. No darn way I am letting that go to the recyclers. I gave them a few bucks and took it home. Now I just need to find some projects to use it on. I made a rear rack for the tenere that I am pretty happy with and have a few ideas on some other things it may be used for. Have any ideas? If I was setup to weld aluminum it would probably be gone by now.
 

Attachments

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,816
Location
North Carolina
I would have dived into a dumpster of old Chinese food to rescue that piece of aluminum, so I totally understand the motivation. I like your rear rack; if I didn't have a passenger as often as I do, I'd make something like that myself.

I'm also a "I wonder if I can make that myself" kind of guy. We're a dying breed.
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
Staff member
Global Moderator
2011 Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
11,489
Location
Damascus, MD
That aluminum is worth a fortune and good for so many things! What a crime you saved them from making.
LOL


I'll occasionally pick up a bumper cover form the side of the road if I need some plastic to form.
 

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,816
Location
North Carolina
I even cannibalize old projects for material. I made some ammo can panniers years ago, that I lightened by removing big sections of steel and replacing it with aluminum. I ended up never liking the panniers, disassembled them, and that aluminum is still supplying material for new projects. And I'd feel no shame at all if I found something lying along the road that I could use.
 
Top