SWMotech Racks - open discussion of issues

[martinh]

After reading this thread I went out to check my cases closer. When I installed them last night it was dark so I could not tell if they were uneven or anything. I have to say the went on very easy, fit to the connections all lined up. The license plate hold mounted right back into place which was left off the instructions. (picture with it on attached) The only issue I see with the rack is that they are not straight, they are 2" out. The case width in the back it 39" and the case front dimension is 41". I don't know if this is what they wanted or not but it looks a little awkward.

 

[Jakeboy]

I'm going to ask Jaxon to make me up a "Wide Load" decal.

 

[jajpko]

I finished my racks and mounted the cases today. The cases measure 38 7/8" front and 38 3/4 rear.
I had to lengthen the left racks lower, rear tube.

If SW-Motech wants to make the racks correct, they will have to rebuild the entire rack. I was wrong before, when I said the rear brace needed lengthening. That part is fine.
The problems are with the length of the tubes.

Here are some pics of what I ended up with.

 

[colorider]

WOW Jim!!!!!

I am in total awe of what you have accomplished!!!!!

They look GREAT!!!!

 

[~TABASCO~]

I'm going to ask Jaxon to make me up a "Wide Load" decal.

Its on its way bro ! !

 

[~TABASCO~]

Jim,

Ride over to the shop here.. I wanna see your racks... Look good !

 

[jajpko]

WOW Jim!!!!!

I am in total awe of what you have accomplished!!!!!

They look GREAT!!!!

Thanks Rod.

 

[jajpko]

Jim,

Ride over to the shop here.. I wanna see your racks... Look good !

Thanks Jaxon, I will when I get a chance. Working on the electrics now..

 

[colorider]

If SW-Motech wants to make the racks correct, they will have to rebuild the entire rack. I was wrong before, when I said the rear brace needed lengthening. That part is fine.
The problems are with the length of the tubes.

I'm VERY anxious to see their comments/response on this!!!

(where's the popcorn?)

 

[motocephalic]

I finished my racks and mounted the cases today. The cases measure 38 7/8" front and 38 3/4 rear.
I had to lengthen the left racks lower, rear tube.

If SW-Motech wants to make the racks correct, they will have to rebuild the entire rack. I was wrong before, when I said the rear brace needed lengthening. That part is fine.
The problems are with the length of the tubes.

Here are some pics of what I ended up with.

looks straight now, is there a piece of the bracket that you show where the mod was made? Can you make more? Is it an easy replacement fit?

 

[jajpko]

looks straight now, is there a piece of the bracket that you show where the mod was made? Can you make more? Is it an easy replacement fit?

I can give you my measurements for the spacers( I made a change in one since I posted those). After you have everything spaced out, then you need to bend the lower tube and cut it. Then put the 1/4 twist fitting into the brace, then measure the distance between the rack tube and the one that is attached.

You can find a piece of tubing at a welding shop if your lucky. Or use a piece of rod to run inside the tubes and weld that up.

There really is nothing to make other then splicing the tube and adding spacers. The rack really needs to be redone totally.

 

[motocephalic]

I can give you my measurements for the spacers( I made a change in one since I posted those). After you have everything spaced out, then you need to bend the lower tube and cut it. Then put the 1/4 twist fitting into the brace, then measure the distance between the rack tube and the one that is attached.

You can find a piece of tubing at a welding shop if your lucky. Or use a piece of rod to run inside the tubes and weld that up.

There really is nothing to make other then splicing the tube and adding spacers. The rack really needs to be redone totally.

thanks, I get what you mean. When I get my bike, I will try to straighten it myself as well.

Hopefully Saturday will be the day, but I am riding it for 1000 miles before I put any kind of farkle on it. The wait has been more than I could ever imagine.

 

[jajpko]

Hey Clem, I hope that you get your bike real soon :exclaim: :exclaim:

If you need any help, just pm me and I'll give you my number.

 

[3putt]

Well, heck. Just got my bolt kit, and put my panniers (Trekkers) on the SW-Motech racks. Nice racks, but they are sure as heck not balanced. Right side is almost and inch higher than the left side in front. Both sides are splayed outward in front. Splaying them out is not so bad, but the uneven height looks really bad.

I will have to read this entire thread and see what you did, they look pretty good by the way after your mod. I have tig and some chromoly tubing laying around, not sure if I have the right OD, but I will have to study these a while before I attempt to modify. I think they have more room to come in a bit more on the muffler side also.

P.S. The only positive I can see with the legs splayed outward, is in a crash the rack would be very strong as opposed to straight legs, they would bend inward with a drop pretty easy.

 

[motocephalic]

Hey Clem, I hope that you get your bike real soon :exclaim: :exclaim:

If you need any help, just pm me and I'll give you my number.

thanks Jim

 

[3putt]

You can find a piece of tubing at a welding shop if your lucky. Or use a piece of rod to run inside the tubes and weld that up.

What is the ID of the tubing on the SW-Motech rack? I have some tubing that is slghtly smaller, but don't want to cut an arm if it is not right fit. Also, is it mild steel, so will bend pretty easy? Thanks.

 

[jajpko]

I won't be in my shop until later, so, if you measure the thickness of the flat end and divide by two. That should give the sidewall thickness. The rack is mild steel and The welds are not the best in the world and can crack, not much penetration.

After doing mine, I would suggest using a cut off wheel and cut the weld at the front. Then bend by hand and fill that weld when you weld up the rest.
You'll see what I mean when you get into it..

 

[3putt]

Yep, thanks. I can take that measurement, nice idea. My left side is over 1/2" lower at front of pannier. Angle is off only 1 degree. I was able to put the leg in a vice with 2x4s to keep from marring the paint and bend by hand. Just bending and tweaking the end tabs to continue to hit flat and fit up got me real close. I am going up and in with the left side. Took out the OEM spacer on front hand grip which allowed fit. To go any closer will have to cut the upper front arm and weld. Think I will stop here and try and clean up the right side, it is splayed a lot and tilted in.

Before pictures. Overhead you can tell how much the front is splayed outward.

From the rear you can see the left side tilted to the left, almost 2 degrees off square. It should be tilted in a degree or two, as the pannier when mounted hangs outward a degree or so.

This is the right rack shows how much out of square it is. (I checked my rear wheel to square on centerstand)

The angle of the tilt forward is 9 degrees, I had 10 before I started on the left side.

 

[jajpko]

Nice.. Looking good so far.. It will be nice to see when you are finished.
How do the welds look on your racks? I wonder if they are different from the Micatech bag racks..

 

[3putt]

Welds are typical fat mig weld, but they are holding with me tweaking/bending legs. I got what I wanted with the right side just by bending and moving around the bolt on tabs and bending rack tabs to mate up. I found that if I started on the front lower (needed the most bend) then I could work around from rear up to front and make the others match. Took all morning but finished.

Left side I fought it for long time, and finally gave in and cut the upper front tube, cutout about 3/8" tube and welded back. I wanted to raise it to match the right side, plus pull the whole rack in closer to the exhaust. Now having to sand and primer and paint. I hate painting. The racks were powder coated.