SWMotech Racks - open discussion of issues

[jajpko]

well that explains it. but there has been plenty of time to fix that. maybe it doesnt bother you that some people think your racks look like shit and some other racks out there are kafluy also but there are plenty of manufacturers that put out racks you dont have to shim to make them correct. IMHO this is the nicest looking bike i own and i cant have crooked boxes on them

I tried to fight this battle, and it was not worth it.. ::025:: Too many people just don't care if the bags are straight on not.
Twisted Throttles answer was, it is just aesthetics, and does not change the functional use of the cases.

You can't argue with that kind of reasoning, and I gave up. I fixed my racks so the bags look straight and I am happy with them. In the end, that is all that really matters..

 

[fredz43]

Since the SW-M racks are made to fit many different brands of bags by using different adapters, it could be that the adapters themselves are what exaggerate this condition. Here are 3 pics of differet bikes with the SW-M bags and all look pretty good to me. Seems that several of those with Micatec bags on SW-M racks have mentioned problems. In my opinion these 3 different SW-M sets look fine.

Even at that, if one was to get very particular, even with different size bags to accomodate the offest racks, the distance from the centerline of the bike to the outside of the bags is not exactly the same. Again, even though I take pride in the looks of my bike, it is not a show bike and that doesn't bother me.

 

[jajpko]

Since the SW-M racks are made to fit many different brands of bags by using different adapters, it could be that the adapters themselves are what exaggerate this condition. Here are 3 pics of differet bikes with the SW-M bags and all look pretty good to me. Seems that several of those with Micatec bags on SW-M racks have mentioned problems. In my opinion these 3 different SW-M sets look fine.

Even at that, if one was to get very particular, even with different size bags to accomodate the offest racks, the distance from the centerline of the bike to the outside of the bags is not exactly the same. Again, even though I take pride in the looks of my bike, it is not a show bike and that doesn't bother me.

Dang fred, it sounds almost like you are taking this personally.. ::025::
Whatever suits you, tickles me just plum to death... ::26::

 

[fredz43]

Hi Jim,

Nah, I just think that we may be subjecting SW-M to a higher degree of scrutiny than we are other brands. If I may borrow klebs01's pic posted recently of his fine Holan setup, which do you think is more plumb? A high dollar high quality setup for sure, but not perfect if we are to judge by plumb.

 

[Venture]

Hi Jim,

Nah, I just think that we may be subjecting SW-M to a higher degree of scrutiny than we are other brands. If I may borrow klebs01's pic posted recently of his fine Holan setup, which do you think is more plumb? A high dollar high quality setup for sure, but not perfect if we are to judge by plumb.

I noticed that as well when he posted that pic. I thought to myself, "hmmm, maybe it's harder than I think to design and manufacture these rack things..."

 

[terrysig]

Since I ordered the Holan setup but not yet received I too was checking out the "plumb" and reread klebs01's post to see that he'd finished the install late night. I hazard a guess that he has since gone back to check all the attachment and connection points. The attachment are likely solid but the lower connection might have some play (adjustment) which could bring the bottom of the bags in. Or not

I think I will agree with many that it does matter that they are reasonably plumb (square) but my favorite comment so far has been that it probably won't matter after a few drops. Now that I can agree with ::021::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Looks like issues have been resolved

Installed a new set of the SW-M racks with Muffintop boxes over the last couple of days.
At least for the new set of racks that I have, the boxes are symmetric and hang straight. There's a bit of taper from front to back, which is not only normal, but better aerodynamically.

Hope to post pix this weekend.

 

[sallydog]

i purchased the jesse racks. my friend tried to talk me into swmotech saying its only some shims here and there to make them strait but i didnt feel like fucking with it :

update.... i installed them. without the grab handles they are 15" apart. square, strait, and plumb. no messing around. with the handles they are 16" apart, strait, square, and plumb.. wish TT could have done that. now to make some boxes