Luggage rack for a 1959 A10 SR

[lawnmowerman]

Has anybody found a supplier for luggage racks and top boxes for classic bikes? I have just bought an A10 SR and although I only intend to use the bike in the summer for shows and sunny days, a top box is essential if only to store a helmet and a few tools. In addition, pannier boxes would be great for occasional use and would allow me to attend some of the camping events.
Back in the day I always used Craven so I searched the net for Craven equipment and it would seem that the company has ceased trading but the trading name has been taken over by another company who plan to start manufacture of the original craven range but the website is still under construction.
All of the other carrier manufacturers I have found only seem to cater for modern bikes.
I would be grateful for any help or advice.

[Beezageezauk]

The easiest way to get a suitable rack and/or top box would be via eBay but  Craven racks seem to be few and far between.  However, they do crop up from time to time. 

If you are in no particular rush it might be worth your while visiting a local Autojumble.  Take some measurements of the bike in the area where you would like to attach a rack.  You can often find nice chrome plated ones that will fit.  These will be easier to find and much cheaper than a craven rack.  Once you get a rack sorted out a top box should be no problem.

Beezageezauk. 

[LJ.]

Hi Lawn... It just so happens that a nice set has appeared on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Craven-panniers-and-rack_W0QQitemZ330384227716QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item4cec6f3d84

I do have a Craven luggage rack that I might consider selling if you should be really stuck.

[lawnmowerman]

Thanks Beezageezer and LJ.
I have seen some racks on ebay but there are no fittings. I know I could possibly fab some out of strip and have them cad plated but as I remember it the front mountings go on top of the shocks but the rear mountings have clamps round the frame of the carrier and go down to the rear footrests. I know I could drill the mudguard and mount the rear of the carrier on there but I would rather stick to the original mountings.
LJ - does your spare carrier have mountings?
Thanks

[Beezageezauk]

Original Craven mountings are very difficult to obtain and I generally make my own.  As you say the front mounts fit at or near the top of the shock absorbers.  For the rear mounts I use (or make) 3/4 inch diameter P-Clips and fit them around the rear mudguard support stays.

If you are only using a Rack and Top Box I don't think you will need the extra supports that go down to the rear footrests.  These, of course, would be required with Pannier Boxes if you intend carrying a lot of weight.

Ok, I've left myself wide open to criticism on the last comment but I do write with over 45 years of experience, having used these bikes for serious long distance touring and camping holidays since I was a teenager, and still do.

Get yourself a rack and topbox fitted for now and if you feel the need for panniers in the future you can always modify your mounts to suit.

BTW, I'm looking for a set of 4 Straight Craven Pins (not the 90 degree angled ones) that attach to the rack and go up inside the Rubber Bobbins on the back of the Pannier Boxes.  If you come across any, or indeed if anybody reading this has some spares, I would appreciate the opportunity of buying them.

Beezageezauk.       

[Beezageezauk]

During some recent research into Ken Craven and his long lost company "Craven Equipment" I've discovered that the Craven racks and hard luggage are going to be on the market again in the near future.

I've managed to locate the guy who will be making them and the following is his reply to my enquiry to him.  He says.....

"We have only recently acquired the Craven Equipment business from Phil Primmer of West Country Sidecars who has retired. It is taking us some time to sort out all the drawings, moulds and tooling but we hope to be in a position to start production late soon.  We will start by making the more popular top boxes, panniers, racks and fittings and hope to eventually have most of the Craven range in stock. We will supply individual parts to repair or complete old sets of luggage and carriers but in the meantime we are not able to help with any spares as there was very little stock".

"We also will be producing Phil Primmer's own panniers and rack that were designed principally for Vincents and we hope to finish of the moulds he was making in order to produce Rodark Panniers".

So, I suppose that this is the first step towards a reincarnation, but obviously there are no prices available yet.  Towards the end of his notification he mentioned that he has taken a note of my email address and will advise me when he is eventually open for business.  Needless to say, I will bring the relevant information to the attention of our members when the time comes.

Beezageezauk.

[Richard]

Brilliant job well done,hopefully it will solve many a persons problems
Richard

[Beezageezauk]

Well, this post has been dormant for a year now and nothing has happened regarding the reproduction of the Craven Racks and Pannier Boxes.  The website in question hasn't changed since this time last year and is apparently still under construction.

In the meantime I know a guy who can get some racks made but they will have to be made in batches of maybe 10 or 12.  Basically they would be similar to the picture shown.  Some as shown and some with a passenger grab handle if required.

I suppose I'm just feeling the water with this posting and if I can get an idea of numbers we can maybe come up with a price and delivery date.  So if anybody on this forum is interested, let me know and I will take the project a stage further.

Beezageezauk.  

[lawnmowerman]

Hi All

I promised to post some pics when I fitted the carrier, top box and panniers so here they are. I managed to pick these up on ebay and they were fitted to a Commando. I need to tidy up the mounts (shape the corners and paint) but they fitted quite well and allow me to stow my helmet in the top box and also to carry a small tool kit and beer.
It has been really handy recently as both cars are off the road and having the boxes has allowed me to get essentials from Tesco (beer, fags, milk, bread) and I have even managed to get a 14 Kg tub of tiling cement in the top box so the strength of the mountings must be ok.

Jim

[Duncan R]

Hi All,

Not sure if this would work    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Motorcycle-Carrier-Black-Universal-Twin-Shock-Models-/280450020935


I emailed the seller and they said a customer of their's had fitted one to an A10

Cheers

Duncan

[BrianS]

Rather than start a new thread on A10 racks, I hope it's OK to add to this old thread?

Anyways up, I have just bought a rack for my 1955 A10 from Classic Bike Racks (£80 inc p&p) and so far so good. My Givi carrier and box fits fine and just used the box on a trip to the shops 

I now understand why the LH rear shock bolt head had been chamfered off at an angle. it allows both the rack and grab handle to be fitted at the same time! See photo.

Brian

[kiwipom]

hi guys, yes wanted a rack for mine but could not find one so made one myself, not that difficult, a bit of bending/brazing/drilling and painting,cheers

[Klaus]

Luggage rack for Scramblers

[mikeb]

bought a rack for my 1955 A10 from Classic Bike Racks (£80 inc p&p) and so far so good.

looks good on the golden flash, tho on later models it may not be just plug and play. my 61 super rocket has the later arrowhead stays on the rear guard and a larger, wider seat.... possibly its been recovered I'm not sure. Either way, for the classic bike racks the rear stays had to be re-angled to align clumsily with the arrowhead mudguard stays (which have hidden bolts through into the mudguard) and the front section had to have the bend removed to sit in under the seat and hold the rack on the correct angle. being stainless it was a bit tricky to re-bend. worked out ok eventually. functional yes, original looking no. pics below

[BrianS]

I recently bought a Kawaski W800 (grandson of the A7/A10) and it has a rear rack fitted so I am looking to move the modern-looking Givi box over from the A10 to it.

I use the A10 for shopping trips so a top box is essential plus it's nice to stow away the helmet and gloves when parking up so I need a replacement.

What options are there for a decent sized "classic" looking box that can hold a full-face helmet - is it only the Craven box?

Having problems trying to use the Craven website to look at their Stelvio top box. Do the photos and details load for anyone else? See http://craven-equipment.co.uk/index.php/luggage/category/42-