Does it need it? , in that panniers + tyres are about 39 kilos with some of the items put on the tank and the front mudguard like inner tubes which are bulky but reasonably light).

for 39 kilos + 5 kilos of water + 4 kilos of petrol + my 85kilos will the subframe take it?.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

And a related question: if you are using an aftermarket exhaust (with no bracing of the rear frame as supplied by the OE exhaust), and one were thinking of stripping and refinishing the frame, would anyone advise adding any bracing to the rear to maintain the strength of the original design? And if so, where?

Kennichi - hope you don't think this is hijacking your thread, but it's something I have been wondering for a while, and may be relevant to you.

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Richard
Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

Good question kennichi, iv,e been wondering that myself..i suppose that like on the wingrack idea,the strenthening braces bolt to the top of the pillion footrest brackets..i look forward to the other replies as im no engineer..

At 39 kilo's you would be best advised to bring the weight forward onto the pillion area (in front or over the rear uprights). Not only will you place enormous strain on the rear sub frame, but the bike will ride front wheel light. The real problem is stiffening the sub frame without making it too rigid or the vibration will tear the frame just fore or aft of any strengthening point.
If you are dead set at carrying so much weight, brace from the footrests up like so...

Bruken is dead right.
the bike will hold a passenger well. use part of that area (if your riding solo) to accept heavier loads.

Right thanks.

I'm only putting light and soft things in the paniers anyway (like clothes) , I was going to stick the top box directly onto the pillion seat and strap it on with some ratchet tie things , then changed my mind and put it on the rear rack , but I think I'll change it back and only put a tent (2.5 kilos) sleep roll and sleeping back on the back rack should be 5~7 kilos.

Will be fine.. The XT can handle a lot of weight.

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Formerly known as tedmagnum: UK-Capetown 2010. Watch this space: www.touringted.com

Thanks to everyone for the replies and piccies. I understand that the OE exhaust can bolts to the rear frame rails and adds to the frame's stiffness. My aftermarket can doesn't have a bracket to bolt to the frame at that point. My question would be: does the frame need any additional strengthening to compensate for this, or is that only under conditions of extreme load and heavy use off-road? I have heard of frames breaking on heavily-loaded bikes.

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Richard
Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

48.jpg[/IMG]


these bracing bars i took off my xjr1200,prior to fitting a wingrack.They fit
first time with no bending or modifing.Hope this helps,they seem to feel pretty strong..ride safe,punchy...

Oh dear - pictures have been removed

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Richard
Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

can you possibly explain to me why my photos have been removed.
they were infomative,a good explanation is in order...punchy

regards,punchy..

pictures are back...punchy..ta.

Hi all,

When I purchased a Lazer ProDuro exhaust for a 1991 XT600E it came with a strengthening bracket. It consisted of a horizontal plate and two diagonal tubes and is quite sturdy. I would get something similar made if removing the exhaust that braced the frame. I believe that Yamaha stopped doing this on later XT600E.

Mark

My XT (1995) has definitely got a hole in the frame where it looks like an exhaust bracket could go. The current can (Micron) is not braced there. Could you possibly give more detail of the bracket you mentioned, and where it locates on the frame? Ta.

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Richard
Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/