In the absence of any impediment (so far) planning for my around-Australia jaunt is continuing. This week I have contacted George from Metzi Skins about getting the seat on the VFR re-padded in high density foam. George’s business is spoken of very highly around the place and I have the added advantage that he only lives a 20 minute drive away.
As well, I am addressing my luggage arrangements. I intend to replace my existing top box with a slightly larger one and will be using my Aldi tank bag rather than my smaller Oxford one so that I have extra capacity.
The majority of my luggage will be in my Dririder soft panniers but there is an issue using these on the VFR with the high Staintune pipe so, some years ago I devised a simple (though hardly elegant) solution.
My local engineering shop (MLR Engineering, Marshall Street Dapto NSW 2530 – masters of everything metal and saviour of my sorry butt on more than one occasion) built me this rack to my specifications (obviously it was a while ago since the red VFR is in the picture).
As you can see, it sits on the existing Ventura rails.
and, most importantly, keeps the right hand side bag clear of the muffler.
I have used it several times on longer trips and it works extemely well, keeping the luggage secure and saving the considerable extra expense of hard cases and attaching hardware. It is made of alloy and is surprisingly light. For this trip, I am getting the guys to make some small modifications to tailor it to BBII and all should be sweet.
Since I always carry too MUCH luggage whenever I tour, I am determined this time to only carry what I absolutely must carry.
sanoptic says
Remember to break in that high density foam before you go or your butt will complain..LOL
This year like every other year is flying past so you will be on the road before you know it.
Looking forward to updated of the trip as they happen.
Cheers
Phil Hall says
Didn’t realise you had to do that. Thanks for the tip.