Custom rack

[toaster404]

California 1400.  I do not like the grab bar.  Considering having a custom rack welded up.  Anyone ever have this done?  I could design or copy design attaching primarily to the system that mounts the bags.  Get powder coated. 

Comments on feasibility, likely cost?  Given a shop I could do it myself, but very busy, no shop, and rusty on welding!!

[rtbickel]

The factory luggage rack/grab bar looks much better than just the grab bar IMHO and probably a lot cheaper than having one fabricated, chromed, etc.  If you order one and don't like the looks, you can always return it and then go to fabbing.

[malik]

Feasible? Very!

Get a mate who can weld, with a welder & a tube bender (or build a jig - could even be easier). A mate of mine had the tools & skills - we bought a length of stainless rod & some plate - cost $A50 - and made a rack for the V7C. Bolts to the factory rear rack in the provided lugs, the bottom footrest hanger and braced across the back. The advantage of stainless is the more you use it, the shinier it gets, and it has been maintenance free.

[Lcarlson]

I have the factory luggage rack on my Custom. It is a very nice piece.

[toaster404]

My local dude is going to take a look. Maybe he'll need legal services and I can swap!  Not that I wish that on anyone.

[kirb]

California 1400.  I do not like the grab bar.  Considering having a custom rack welded up.  Anyone ever have this done?  I could design or copy design attaching primarily to the system that mounts the bags.  Get powder coated. 
Comments on feasibility, likely cost?  Given a shop I could do it myself, but very busy, no shop, and rusty on welding!!

I make my own racks by paying the CAD guy on the side and having the local laser cutter knock stuff out: http://stelviontx.blogspot.com/2013/04/rear-rack-installation.html

I also sold my NTX bags from the deer donated bike to a guy who owns a Quota. He bought the SWMotech raw hoops from Twisted Throttle and had a fabricator weld up the mounts per his instructions. The Quota bags look like what SHOULD have been there from the factory. I think he paid $150-$200 for the fab work and painted them himself.

I like sketching stuff on a drawing board, have the CAD guy clean it up, and then have the fabricator crank out what I need. Sometimes you just need to have the fab guy tack stuff into place and finish weld it later. Find someone who isn't a hack and knocking it out shouldn't be a problem. someone who can notch a pipe and mandrel bend are always helpful. Expect to pay $200-$500 depending on complexity. I typically clean up the work in my garage and powder coat it myself. I have the rig and oven and it saves me $ on low volume coating. That might run you $100-$200 just for coating depending on the shop. Consider Cerakote or JetHot or another ceramic coat if you are looking for extreme durability and are not concerned about a spray booth glossy look.

Knowing the right people can always save on cost. Be prepared with knowing EXACTLY what you are looking for with examples will go a long way in not pissing off a guy or getting something you do not want. It's hard to read someone's mind.

[sidecarnutz]

I like using SS hydraulic tubing and my MIG welder. I have a couple benders as well as a torch. I have made a number of different racks over the years. But they do take up many evenings and then your friends are mad at you later when you refuse to build more cheap for them. I like to reply, what part of "took 40 hours labor" did you not understand? But, they're Guzzi people, so they'll try to get you to work cheap. ;-)