My Motorcycle Ski Rack Design

duck · 06-07-2011, 02:38 PM

I bought two ski rack attachments on Fleabay. They initially had rubber straps made for them but those dried to the point where I didn't trust them anymore so now I use beefy bungee cords.

Then I built a pretty basic rack out of 2x2 lumber and some wood screws. (I wish I had welding tools to do this in metal instead but I had to go the KLR route.) Then I rattle-canned it black.

The holes in it line up with the slots in the factory rack where I mount it with wingnuts for easy-on/easy-off.

Since those German numbnuts at BMW made the factory rack out of plastic it does move around a bit but not too badly. I initially built it for my K1100LT but my K1100RS has a metal Reynolds Rack so I'm going to try that one of these days.

Tada:

Flashmo · 06-07-2011, 07:29 PM

Nice Rack Duck!

duck · 06-07-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashmo

Nice Rack Duck!

Stop staring at my rack.

Z50R · 06-08-2011, 03:31 PM

If I was smart I'd be working on a rack like that while it is still warm out so I won't be whining about how nice one would be next spring...

Does your setup cause any odd aerodynamic problems?

Highpeakskier · 06-08-2011, 04:28 PM

Nice job, I have been searching for a way to transport my skis on the KLR, other than on my pack. Looks like that will work nicely.

duck · 06-08-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z50R

If I was smart I'd be working on a rack like that while it is still warm out so I won't be whining about how nice one would be next spring...

Does your setup cause any odd aerodynamic problems?

Not that I've noticed. But the bike is a 650 pound tank so it would take a lot to push it around.

And I only use it on nice spring skiing days so I've never had to do battle with any serious crosswinds.

spafxer · 06-08-2011, 06:52 PM

Nice set up Duck. I bet you get some looks

If I might make a suggestion, I would add a "skin" of masonite or metal or something thin on the box section just behind the seat. A box is pretty weak, but the triangles you have on the sides are very strong. With the length of the skis up in the airstream, you might find it's your rack that is moving, not the BMW luggage rack.

.

duck · 06-09-2011, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spafxer

Nice set up Duck. I bet you get some looks

If I might make a suggestion, I would add a "skin" of masonite or metal or something thin on the box section just behind the seat. A box is pretty weak, but the triangles you have on the sides are very strong. With the length of the skis up in the airstream, you might find it's your rack that is moving, not the BMW luggage rack.

Nope. It's the BMW rack that's moving. It's a piece of crap IMO. It wobbles around with the BMW top case installed too. My rack is about 100 times as sturdy as that PoS OEM tail rack.

Highpeakskier · 06-09-2011, 05:23 PM

Not trying to hijack your thread, but inspired by your design, I came up with this. I like your ski attachment points much better, but didn't have anything like that on hand. You post was rather timely, for me, as I have been planning a moto accessed descent and didn't really want to carry my skis on my back.

06-07-2011, 02:38 PM	#1
duck ^OP PsyKotic Waterfowl Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle (Berkeley with rain) Oddometer: 9,970	My Motorcycle Ski Rack Design I bought two ski rack attachments on Fleabay. They initially had rubber straps made for them but those dried to the point where I didn't trust them anymore so now I use beefy bungee cords. Then I built a pretty basic rack out of 2x2 lumber and some wood screws. (I wish I had welding tools to do this in metal instead but I had to go the KLR route.) Then I rattle-canned it black. The holes in it line up with the slots in the factory rack where I mount it with wingnuts for easy-on/easy-off. Since those German numbnuts at BMW made the factory rack out of plastic it does move around a bit but not too badly. I initially built it for my K1100LT but my K1100RS has a metal Reynolds Rack so I'm going to try that one of these days. Tada: __________________ 93 K1100LT, 94 K1100RS, 86-97 K75F (K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick), 91 K1, 05 KTM 450 SMR IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC) http://home.comcast.net/~smithduck/BMW_Tours.htm

06-08-2011, 06:52 PM	#7
spafxer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Oddometer: 2,326	Nice set up Duck. I bet you get some looks If I might make a suggestion, I would add a "skin" of masonite or metal or something thin on the box section just behind the seat. A box is pretty weak, but the triangles you have on the sides are very strong. With the length of the skis up in the airstream, you might find it's your rack that is moving, not the BMW luggage rack. . __________________ People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent. -- Bob Dylan

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-07-2011, 07:29 PM	#2
Flashmo Whatever... Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Vagabond Hippie Oddometer: 2,462	Nice Rack Duck!

06-08-2011, 04:28 PM	#5
Highpeakskier n00b Joined: May 2011 Oddometer: 4	Nice job, I have been searching for a way to transport my skis on the KLR, other than on my pack. Looks like that will work nicely.

06-09-2011, 05:23 PM	#9
Highpeakskier n00b Joined: May 2011 Oddometer: 4	Not trying to hijack your thread, but inspired by your design, I came up with this. I like your ski attachment points much better, but didn't have anything like that on hand. You post was rather timely, for me, as I have been planning a moto accessed descent and didn't really want to carry my skis on my back.