Tweet
Saving rear panels from saddle bag scars by adding safety bars
We tourers love the saddle bags for the increased storage they offer, but worry about the bike's rear panel. In GS150R, the rear panels are very protruded, and may get badly scarred or even break if they are under constant pressure from saddlebag for long period of time. In my Rajasthan trip, I wanted to save the GS's rear from such harms, and came up with this idea.
I used this setup on my bike. Costed me 100rs for making, 30rs for black paint and 20rs bakshis, in total rs.150. It completely saved the panels from any scratches. I had also put scotch tape under these bars on the panels.
Full view: See the bar near the rear tyre?
Closeup:
View from rear
The bars are fitted under the seat to a screw holding the panel together. It was the only area under the seat where a 5mm bar could fit. I had to replace the screws by larger ones because existing ones fit just exactly, and won't take the 5mm bars plus 2 vicers which I put to increase the height of the bars so that they won't hit the panel.
Left view: See the nice curve
Right view: Here the curve is not feasible, as the screw to which the bar is fixed is already protruding because of the saree guard fitment.
Lastly, view from rear center. You can see how the bars go with the bike shape, and don't hinder the leg movement.
As my saddle bag is custom made, I could increase the distance between the bags so that they rest nicely on the bars. One mistake I did here was, I put the bars slanting for aesthetic purpose, but the bags are not slanted. As the saddlebag is of cloth, it takes a horizontal form, and hence it is a pointy rest for the bag! I have put sponge and covered it by electrical tape where the bag rests, and it has served the purpose wonderfully.
I thought that the bars would interfere with the suspension when I installed these, but look carefully, the bar is fitted to that part of the bike which moves as one when the bike goes over a pothole. It is not connected to the shock absorber assembly, so the bars are not affected by the shocks, neither is the suspension.
Overall, I will recommend this mod for every tourer, as this costs hardly anything and helps a lot in saving the bike's beauty. Feel free to shoot your questions
I used this setup on my bike. Costed me 100rs for making, 30rs for black paint and 20rs bakshis, in total rs.150. It completely saved the panels from any scratches. I had also put scotch tape under these bars on the panels.
Full view: See the bar near the rear tyre?
Closeup:
View from rear
The bars are fitted under the seat to a screw holding the panel together. It was the only area under the seat where a 5mm bar could fit. I had to replace the screws by larger ones because existing ones fit just exactly, and won't take the 5mm bars plus 2 vicers which I put to increase the height of the bars so that they won't hit the panel.
Left view: See the nice curve
Right view: Here the curve is not feasible, as the screw to which the bar is fixed is already protruding because of the saree guard fitment.
Lastly, view from rear center. You can see how the bars go with the bike shape, and don't hinder the leg movement.
As my saddle bag is custom made, I could increase the distance between the bags so that they rest nicely on the bars. One mistake I did here was, I put the bars slanting for aesthetic purpose, but the bags are not slanted. As the saddlebag is of cloth, it takes a horizontal form, and hence it is a pointy rest for the bag! I have put sponge and covered it by electrical tape where the bag rests, and it has served the purpose wonderfully.
I thought that the bars would interfere with the suspension when I installed these, but look carefully, the bar is fitted to that part of the bike which moves as one when the bike goes over a pothole. It is not connected to the shock absorber assembly, so the bars are not affected by the shocks, neither is the suspension.
Overall, I will recommend this mod for every tourer, as this costs hardly anything and helps a lot in saving the bike's beauty. Feel free to shoot your questions
Comment