Craven rack on ES2

I have one on mine. It looks right. I bought it used off Ebay before Craven started making them again. Made my own fittings for it.

This is a picture before I painted the brackets. Not the greatest picture.

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I've taken a better picture. Craven may should do some sort of fittings. Carrier isn't much good without them.

Ian

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Hi George

I have a Craven rack and top box in the loft that I took off a Commandoabout 15 years ago. If you are interested I could go up and take a few photos and if you think it would be of use to youI'm sure we could come to some sort of agreement.

If you are within striking distance of the Stafford area you would be welcome to come and have a look.

Regards

Bob

I'm a bit concerned that the whole of any load on the carrier would appear to be routed through the mudguard and its mountings given that there aren't any stays to (say) somewhere near the bottom of the rear subframe.

Your concern is justified. Rear guards on these models have been known to fail just above the lower mounting bolts (behind the gearbox). Load on the carrier stresses the guard in one direction, lifting the bike onto the centre stand stresses it in the other direction. It might be OK for waterproofs and a light lunch but a rack that size will be also be used for heavier stuff. I think Craven recommend bracing to the pillion footrest mounts.

Ian McD

there should be thick reinforcing plates welded inside the mudguard that run around each side of the mudguard edge to help support the weight.

Barry

Mine doesn't have the hinged mudguard, which makes it stronger, and heaviest thing I carry is a U lock and waterproofs. So far so good.

Ian

the rack in the photos looks well made. it looks hefty enough to put anything on.

Barry

No I don't use the rack to pull it on to it's centre stand. Here's my method.

Left hand on left handle bar. Right hand holding the bar on left side of rear mudguard. Push stand down with right foot and push right side of lower right leg against front of pillion footrest. Then at the same time press leg backwards against pillion rest while toe holds stand in place and lift with right hand. Mine goes onto the stand fairly easily then.

Ian

Blimey George, how often do these threads stay on topic?

Your centre stand method does sound like a recipe for a bad back so can see why you want a reliable side stand.

Ian

There is a place called Classic bike racks who make racks

in stainless steel. Nice welding but all use bad methods of mounting unless you carry something light. Craven use to supply supports to triagulate to the rear foot rests if any weight was intended to be carried.

I sympathise on the lifting, I have to remove one pannier to lift my Commando on to center stand. On bad days it the garage I use the electric hoist to lift it on to stand or on to the bike lift.

On the 99 I use the Craven carrier to lift the back of the bike if it needs moving,no problem, but then it does not have a "bendy frame"!.

Have a look at the craven site. The L rack with pannier support is the best system.