| Author | Message | ||
     Ericridebike |
I just ordered a set of aluminum panniers for my bike and have a question about mounting them. I have the stock racks made by Hepco Becker. I am planning on using the Happy-Trails Pannier Mount Kit http://www.happy-trail.com/Happy-Trails-Pannier-Mo unt-Kit.aspx . The kit comes in three different sizes based on rack tubing diameters, 3/4", 5/8", or .710". Anybody know right off hand the correct size for the Hepco Becker stock racks? I think they may be 3/4", but I want to be sure before I order a set. Thanks, Eric | ||
| Itileman |
5/8"/MK625A I've used them before. (Message edited by itileman on October 11, 2010) | ||
| Ericridebike |
Thanks! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I tried the 5/8" and it wasn't even close. 1mm slack. I measured the rack at .600" (where 5/8" is .625"). I can go try again (and take a picture) if need be, but it'll be awhile before I get over to my buddies house that has panniers with the 5/8" mounts. | ||
| Ericridebike |
Got a response from Jason at Happy Trails. He said it is the .710" size. "Sorry for the delay, The .710 puck is the one that people use. The puck fits well, you might need to wrap some electrical tap on the rack to eliminate vibration if any. Jason" | ||
| Itileman |
There must be some differences in the racks. I just went out and put the calipers on mine and the reading was .641 in several places. Go figure  | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I just ordered the .710 pucks. I'll report back in a few days when they arrive! | ||
| Ericridebike |
This is beginning to drive me crazy. I ordered to .710 kit yesterday after the guy from Happy Trails said that it was the right one. I had e-mailed Hepco Becker's main sales in Germany just to try all bases. Just got an email from them and he said the racks are 16mm diameter. That calculates to ~ 0.630 inches. If I'm thinking and calculating right, 5/8"=~0.625". Sounds like there is not a "perfectly right" size for ours by Happy Trails. The 5/8" sounds like it may be a hair small and I'm now thinking the 0.710 may be a little big without wrapping the rack with tape or something. I guess the filing may be an option if the 0.710 is way too big. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can get the 0.710 kit to work without much trouble. | ||
| Itileman |
The problem with the tape is that it will wear away with the vibration & movement. I measured my racks with a tape measure before I ordered the pucks and they were 5/8". As I mentioned, I put the calipers on them and they were .641. The Pelicans I put on fit perfectly. The only reason I took them off and replaced them with the Gobi's is that the Pelicans were too big and caused handling problems in strong winds while riding at over 65 mph. Don't have that problem with the Gobi's. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Tape would be an unacceptable solution. If .710 is actually the size in inches, then they will be way to big. But happy trails themselves says they are for KTM racks. And KTM uses standard OEM Hepco and Becker racks. Mine have a scheduled delivery date of 10/20, so I guess I'm stuck waiting for a week. I will report back. | ||
| Ericridebike |
  Finally got mine mounted. The .710 size pucks ended up working for me. Forgive the "ghetto" milk crate top case. -Eric | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I also got mine mounted, but the .710 did not work for me. Well they did, but I had to grind a tenth of an inch off the back. Despite my previous argument, I think the 5/8" is the way to go. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
I like the ghetto top case. Your keepn' real  | ||
| Desert_bird |
Nice cases, Ericridebike. What are they? DB | ||
| Ericridebike |
Desert bird, they came from e-bay, from Muffin Top Industries. Guy named Wendell, was super to deal with. Very satisfied with quality of the product. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Pictures! this is pre-decaling... I'll post up again when there decaled up. I did add a 6' lashing strap to the top of each.  IMG_1 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_2 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_3 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_4 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_5 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_6 by Mikef5000, on Flickr And this is the test setup for the Alaska trip. 1 Kayak bag on top of each pannier. One bag has my 0 degree mummy bag, the other has my tent and sleeping pad. Both weigh very little, and compress to the same exact size. They'll probably be mounted with lashing straps rather than bungees for the trip. The lids lift right off even with these bags mounted. Also, I threw the Aux. gas tank in between to get the full adventure touring look going.  IMG_7 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_8 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_9 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_10 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_11 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  IMG_12 by Mikef5000, on Flickr I'm not positive if I'll be selling the original bags now or not. I like these MUCH more, but the original bags give more room for my passengers feet, and would work much better for 2-up touring. We'll see. Next time you see these they'll have decals, reflective tape, and some operator manual canisters. Bought them from http://www.muffintopindustries.com/ with mounting pucks from happy trails. I'm happy! | ||
| Hangetsu |
Eric, Are the cases Happy Trails, or something else. I like'em.  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
You're loaded for bear. Nice looking setup. Happy Trails to you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcYsO890YJY | ||
| Desert_bird |
Nice setup Mikef5000, I was all over the place with the pannier issue. Didn't want to change the rack so I ended up going with the new HB Xplorer 40 panniers. We'll see how they hold up. Your set up looks great though. Nice work. BTW, how does the aftermarket fender work in the rain/water? Can't be any worse than the stock unit. Can you give a few close-ups of how you mounted it? DB | ||
| Mikef5000 |
The panniers on both mine and Eric's are www.muffintopindustries.com. Sort of home-made Happy Trails knock-offs. I'm super pleased with mine, and am in talks with the guy to make a matching top box. My fender does great with water. You can actually see a bit of mud on the very front tip, that's from hitting some muddy roads a couple days ago. The only other visible mud is on the belly pan, there's no 'blow-by' onto the headlights or to the sides at all. I used a piece of angled steel as a fog light mount:  Sm_0005 by Mikef5000, on Flickr  Sm_0009 by Mikef5000, on Flickr And the fender bolted straight up into it. with two stainless steel bolts and fender washers.  IMG_0005 by Mikef5000, on Flickr It's probably not any more effective (or defective) than the OEM XT fender, but it gives the bike a more rugged Adventure type look. And it's different. |
