pannier mounts?
 

Can anyone steer me to where I can get info on building side racks to mount aluminum cases on a GL1100 goldwing standard? I need to know what are the strongest attachment points, what kind of bracing would be needed and if there are any websites that show the dimensions needed for mounting commercially available cases. If any one knows of a company that makes a rack for the older wings, that would be even better. Could the older bates type racks be adapted to this also? Just dont know if they would be strong enough for larger aluminum boxes loaded.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any companies that sell racks for a GoldWing.

Many people on this list seem to prefer going to a local fabricator/welder and having some of this stuff custom made - you may want to check into that. I have had a lot of luck getting references to good local fabricators/welders by asking around at local bike shops.

It may also be worth your time to call Tim at Happy Trails to see if he might be able to make something for you: http://www.happy-trail.com

Cheers,
Wright

------------------
Wright Bagwell
http://www.geocities.com/wwbagwell/

Steve
Many years ago when I was doing Europe / North Africa by Gold Wing the only rack system to use was Ken Cravens. These days it doesn't look high tech enough but it is tough and would suit the kind of cases you mention (I know because I built a rack / box mounts for my XR600 using old craven bits last year).
The only problem is that I can't seem to find out who supplies craven gear these days. You'd think that with loads of old bikes being restored, period panniers would be selling by the truckload but I 've never seen an advert.
On the Gold Wing front, I read your other posting about mods for gravel / dirt roads. I never felt the need to do much because the bulk / weight of the Wing limited how far off road I'd go. The early Wings also suffered from a weak clutch and I was always worried that it would let go half way down a track in the middle of nowhere. A trip up the Todra Gorge in southern Morocco where it took six people to push the bike up a stream for a half mile to get to a hotel told me I'd found its limit

Don't know of any companies that supply racks for alu panniers for a g/W.

If you are stuck you can always try ernie at Overland Solution who will supply Alu panniers and hand make a rack.

If your stuck his email is ernie@overland-solutions.com

I have heard that Craven is being made again in the UK, but have not found a contact for them.

I did search http://www.google.com for "Ken Craven luggage rack" and got three pages of hits, one of which mentioned Gold wing, so have a look.

Craven racks are exceptionally strong, just make sure you do a good job attaching it to the bike. This is where most Craven installs fail.

Getting racks made at a shop may be worthwhile if you can't find anything. It's not too hard, but do have a good look at good systems first.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 11 February 2002).]

Steve,
Touratech has universal heavy duty baseframes available. You need to have the mounting points for the bike fabricated, but they save some of the hard work and ensure a good fit with the zega panniers.
-Ed