Rotopax mounts for KTM racks

[Torquemada]

For starters I'm going to get my Wolfman bags and utilize some of the strap locations for their hangars which also utilize One-Wrap. Should make a good backing surface when the RotoPax aren't mounted. After some usage in the Texas heat I'm going to mount the RotoPax. I'm also going to think about maybe hanging them with the cap towards the front away from the exhaust opening.

[Alleycatdad]

Just to finish this off here in the thread...

I recently came across the right-sized piece of aluminum in 1/8 inch to finish the project, so I did.

Contrary to expectations, the cutting-boards worked out just fine and show no -zero- cracking or deterioration after several thousand miles.

But, they are a little flexy, and when I added the happy-trails mounts to 'em, they started to flex out away from the rack, I suspect due to the inward compression from the pucks on the round bars. No biggie, and they were secure, but they bugged me, and I had the aluminum...

I don't have fancy tools, but with one of these:



and one of these:




It wasn't too hard to get from this:



To this:







I'm actually suspicious that the PE may turn out to have been more crash-resistant than the aluminum, as it could bend and return to shape when I fall on it, whereas I think the aluminum may just bend....we will see!

Steve

[eduardobibm]

Yeah, it's a Russell Day Long. Absolutely amazing seat. Ugly as sin, but comfortable. My wife and I had to race home due to Hurricane Irene, which meant a full day in the saddle from morning to night after being on the road a week and the seat was never an issue. Wife gave it rave reviews.
I use my stock seat for buzzing around town, my Renazco for long solo rides and this one for extended two up rides.

Originally Posted by EZ300

Any info on the seat? Looks like a Russel Day Long but not sure.

[poonbean]

Anyone figure out how to carry the Rotopax 2g and the giant loop on the 990 and still have room to sit?

[Bartek990]

Hi,

Plenty of space for you, but not for passenger, since Rotopax is on the rack and GL is on the back of the seat.
Works for me.

[poonbean]

Thx for that. I think I saw a picture of your bike setup elsewhere, from Paul- I'm riding up to BC with him and others next week. I've used the micatechs to date, but want less weight, bulk, and width. My first time with the GL. Your setup looks good but seems like it might feel too snug over the long haul, no belly on me. I'm considering turning the rotopax 90 degrees and trying to place the GL on top, but am a bit concerned with it sticking out the back beyond the moto overland plate. Thoughts on that?

[toowheels]

Originally Posted by poonbean

Thx for that. I think I saw a picture of your bike setup elsewhere, from Paul- I'm riding up to BC with him and others next week. I've used the micatechs to date, but want less weight, bulk, and width. My first time with the GL. Your setup looks good but seems like it might feel too snug over the long haul, no belly on me. I'm considering turning the rotopax 90 degrees and trying to place the GL on top, but am a bit concerned with it sticking out the back beyond the moto overland plate. Thoughts on that?

Hey poonbean,

I just bumped into this checking out people's Rotopax setups.

I wouldn't worry about the Rotopax hanging a bit off the back of the Moto Overland Top Rack but you don't want to load up that overhang (which you don't want to do anyhow). However the width of the 2 gal. Rotopax will be difficult for the Great Basin to fit over well. It's more designed for the shape and taper of a seat so the wide box shape of the 2 gal. may not jive too well.

If you are worried about rider space with the GB run a little less on the top of the bag and use the triple compression straps to pull it all back and down giving you a little more space. The cut outs on our Top Racks should give you good positioning/tightening. Then maybe run a small dry bag on top of the Rotopax to give back the space.

Make sense?

Remember though keep the light stuff up top!!

Hope that helps!

Dave

[poonbean]

Dave, yes that helps. Is your suggestion with the rotopax mounted "normally" or rotated? Either way the rotopax blocks access to the cutouts. Of course, I could put the GB on first. Maybe just drilling two rotopax mounting holes a half inch to inch so more towards the rear would the allow this all to fit more comfortably.

Thanks.
Steve

[toowheels]

Originally Posted by poonbean

Dave, yes that helps. Is your suggestion with the rotopax mounted "normally" or rotated? Either way the rotopax blocks access to the cutouts. Of course, I could put the GB on first. Maybe just drilling two rotopax mounting holes a half inch to inch so more towards the rear would the allow this all to fit more comfortably.

Thanks.
Steve

Hey Steve,

I'm saying normally. The other way is just too wide for the GL Great Basin to fit over properly.
There is already one hole 1" farther back. You could enlarge that one a bit and add a second one. Don't go any farther back than that though!



Yes the 2gal does take up a lot of space and pretty much blocks everything.

If you don't already have your 2gal. don't forget they have that new 1.75 gal size too. On that one I'd say if you rotate it and you'll gain 3/4" too.

We are looking at adding rotating mounting in the future too. Partly for the 1gal. to fit under a Great Basin and another secret reason ...



Dave

[vonotto]

This is how I mounted the 2 gal. I need the seat room so I moved it back as far as I could. Also didn't want the nozzle over the exhaust.I drilled new holes in a Black dog tray.

[poonbean]

Thanks again Dave. Not to belabor this, but I should have been more clear in defining "normal." I think your response "The other way is just too wide for the GL Great Basin to fit over properly" may have this backwards.

The slot in all the rotopax containers is oriented parallel to the short dimension (13.25" width), and your rack's holes for the rotopax mount is oriented in line with the bike (front to back). As a result, mounting the rotopax on your rack results in the rotopax longer dimension (17.75" length) going side to side (all tough to put into words). Any ways, I'll call that the normal mount, because I don't drill any new holes.

So, I see 2 options:

1: Keep the normal orientation and drill the holes as you suggest - which should allow the GB to move another inch or so towards the back. You are right, with the 17.75" length of the rotopax oriented side to side on the bike, it's too wide for the GB to straddle.

2: Reorient the mount by 90 degrees so the 17.75" rotopax dimension rides front to back, and allow the GB to sit on top of the rotopax straddling its 13.25" width, would move the GB much further back.

[toowheels]

Thanks for the pics vonotto!

I was referring to the "normal" position as the stock one we have. Otherwise known as #1.

#2 is as vonotto has done. It will work. I was concerned that there may be a bit of bunching because it is designed to curve over the seat but I don't think it's enough to create any issue. The section of the bag that sits over the seat is 13.5" at the front and 14.5" at the back at the widest "bend point". It will fit over the Rotopax 13.25" width as of course vonotto shows. It's a soft bag so it will do whatever you make it do. It's all a little taller that way but probably no big deal.

After all that the 1.75 gal. doesn't really work better unless you mount it so it is wide at the sides (option #1) but then you may still want it farther back since it's actually 13.5" instead of 13.25". You would have less overhang off the back of the bike though and lose 1/4 gal. (and gain the afterburner? ).

So I pretty much didn't help, only confuse it all and consented drilling away on the Moto Overland Top Rack

Once you have all the pieces in hand I'm sure it will come together well.

Dave

[Hochtouren]

Used some 1/8" stainless and had it rolled with a 3/4" radius to hang over my TT pannier racks. Secured on the bottom with insulated p-clamps. Turned out okay. Really happy to leave the nagging fuel worry issue behind.

[Beema Killa]

Originally Posted by Hochtouren

Used some 1/8" stainless and had it rolled with a 3/4" radius to hang over my TT pannier racks. Secured on the bottom with insulated p-clamps. Turned out okay. Really happy to leave the nagging fuel worry issue behind.

Ooooh. Purdy.

[rinho]

Just to let you know this bracket is "Moab approved"

Originally Posted by rinho