Rotopax on TT250

gearhead1961 · 03-06-2022, 02:04 PM

I just bought a pair of one gallon Rotopax containers (1 each for fuel and water) and will mount them on my TT250. The easy way to do this is to just stack them flat on the CSC luggage rack that I bought with the bike but I would prefer to mount them on either side like saddlebags or panniers. I am not a welder so building mounts from scratch isn't much of an option. Has anyone found a pannier mount that will fit the TT250 (or can be easily modified to fit)? Thanks in advance.

zero_dgz · 03-06-2022, 04:26 PM

Hoo boy. Good luck with that.

I went through the same search for my Bashan Enforcer (basically the same frame and layout) and found absolutely zip, nada, bupkis, zilch. I gave up and made my own pannier racks out of some of the scraps of the frame that came inside the crate (!) from the bike. I do have a welder, though, so that helped.

Thoroughly wire brushed and coated in several layers of black Rust-Oleum, you can't really tell that a literally made the things out of trash. (I also expanded the cargo rack with a slice of a poly cutting board.)

gearhead1961 · 03-06-2022, 04:34 PM

Well, I have come up with the same thing so far: nothing

In addition to posting here, I have sent an email to the folks at CSC. If anyone knows how to get it done, it would be them.

If I learn anything, I will share it in this thread.

TominMO · 03-06-2022, 07:34 PM

For a bike going offroad, I think the luggage rack idea is not a good one. That's about 14 pounds of gas and water bouncing up and down on what is probably a subframe which is not engineered for that. This exact issue came up with Youtuber Itchy Boots on the last day of her Kalahari Rally adventure. Broke the subframe, with only one gallon of gas.

A better setup would be like the Royal Enfield Himalayan has. A frame around the gas tank specifically built for adding stuff like this to. But maybe in back for you. Sounds like a custom job.

gearhead1961 · 03-06-2022, 08:43 PM

I won't be taking on the Kalahari but your point is a really good one. Thanks!

TxTaoRider · 03-06-2022, 10:42 PM

Not really a cheap solution, but a few u bolts and a couple of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROTOPAX-RX-...-127632-2357-0 to mount to your rack, and you should be good to go.

Megadan · 03-06-2022, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TominMO

For a bike going offroad, I think the luggage rack idea is not a good one. That's about 14 pounds of gas and water bouncing up and down on what is probably a subframe which is not engineered for that. This exact issue came up with Youtuber Itchy Boots on the last day of her Kalahari Rally adventure. Broke the subframe, with only one gallon of gas.

A better setup would be like the Royal Enfield Himalayan has. A frame around the gas tank specifically built for adding stuff like this to. But maybe in back for you. Sounds like a custom job.

These bikes are full frame, there is no subframe (subframe meaning a section of smaller frame bolted on) and if my Hawk's rear frame can withstand my fat butt and a 40 - 70lb duffel back on the tail rack flying up and down on rough roads and terrain, 14lbs shouldn't hurt it at all. Now if a rack is made, that would be the real unknown variable, but one can make that as beefy as needed.

gearhead1961 · 03-07-2022, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxTaoRider

Not really a cheap solution, but a few u bolts and a couple of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROTOPAX-RX-...-127632-2357-0 to mount to your rack, and you should be good to go.

I have ordered a couple of these brackets to see if they will do the trick. They seem like a pretty straightforward solution. If they don't work out, back they go.

I am still hoping to hear something new / interesting back from the good folks at CSC.

gearhead1961 · 03-07-2022, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

These bikes are full frame, there is no subframe (subframe meaning a section of smaller frame bolted on) and if my Hawk's rear frame can withstand my fat butt and a 40 - 70lb duffel back on the tail rack flying up and down on rough roads and terrain, 14lbs shouldn't hurt it at all. Now if a rack is made, that would be the real unknown variable, but one can make that as beefy as needed.

I have the flat aluminum rack that CSC sells and installs on the bike as an accessory. How strong is it? Not sure but I think we're going to find out!

flopsweat · 03-07-2022, 12:35 PM

I asked this same question to someone here about my TT250. He said he has since gotten rid of his, but was kind enough to show me in great detail how he fashioned his rack.
https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=30085

China Rider 27 · 03-07-2022, 01:08 PM

I too have found the tail end of the HAWK pretty sturdy. I once bounced 15 lbs of tools on the tail over a rock garden so hard it left burns of the strap weave indented in the aluminum rack.

Megadan · 03-07-2022, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead1961

I have the flat aluminum rack that CSC sells and installs on the bike as an accessory. How strong is it? Not sure but I think we're going to find out!

I have had that rack on my bike from day 1. It's held all sorts of things and never had an issue. I would say it is fairly sturdy.

flopsweat · 03-08-2022, 09:17 AM

Let us know if these work, or if they don't, and with a pic for the former.

Btw if you emailed CSC, good luck. I've emailed them numerous times and have never gotten a response, but a phone call always has gotten my answer within minutes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead1961

I have ordered a couple of these brackets to see if they will do the trick. They seem like a pretty straightforward solution. If they don't work out, back they go.

I am still hoping to hear something new / interesting back from the good folks at CSC.

gearhead1961 · 03-08-2022, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flopsweat

Let us know if these work, or if they don't, and with a pic for the former.

Btw if you emailed CSC, good luck. I've emailed them numerous times and have never gotten a response, but a phone call always has gotten my answer within minutes.

Once they arrive, I will scope out the situation and report back. CSC always responds quickly to the emails that I have sent them. Maybe they are being nice because I have told them that I want to buy an RX3 later this year .....

gearhead1961 · 03-09-2022, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxTaoRider

Not really a cheap solution, but a few u bolts and a couple of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROTOPAX-RX-...-127632-2357-0 to mount to your rack, and you should be good to go.

Well, the adventure continues. These brackets arrived today and they are (unfortunately) going back to Amazon. They would position the Rotopax containers directly in front of the turn signals and the exhaust. I guess I could reposition the turn signals but not much I can do about the exhaust. Plus, they are amazingly heavy at 5+ pounds each. That 10 pounds AND the 15+ pounds of the filled Rotopax containers AND my heavy tail bag is a lot of weight to have up that high.

On to Plan B. I have ordered an allegedly "universal" saddlebag mount from Amazon ("HONGPA Universal Motorcycle Saddle Bags Bracket"). This will arrive in a couple of weeks (coming from China) and I will see if it does the job. If not, I will run with Plan C --- which is actually back to my original scheme --- and just stack them flat on the luggage rack and call it a day.

03-06-2022, 02:04 PM	#1
gearhead1961 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 27	Rotopax on TT250 I just bought a pair of one gallon Rotopax containers (1 each for fuel and water) and will mount them on my TT250. The easy way to do this is to just stack them flat on the CSC luggage rack that I bought with the bike but I would prefer to mount them on either side like saddlebags or panniers. I am not a welder so building mounts from scratch isn't much of an option. Has anyone found a pannier mount that will fit the TT250 (or can be easily modified to fit)? Thanks in advance. __________________ ---------------------------------- 2022 CSC SG400 2021 CSC TT250 2013 Suzuki TU250 1977 Kawasaki KD175 1978 Honda CT90 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage SE 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS
	0

03-06-2022, 04:34 PM	#3
gearhead1961 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 27	Well, I have come up with the same thing so far: nothing In addition to posting here, I have sent an email to the folks at CSC. If anyone knows how to get it done, it would be them. If I learn anything, I will share it in this thread. __________________ ---------------------------------- 2022 CSC SG400 2021 CSC TT250 2013 Suzuki TU250 1977 Kawasaki KD175 1978 Honda CT90 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage SE 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS
	0

03-06-2022, 07:34 PM	#4
TominMO Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: De Soto, MO Posts: 1,871	For a bike going offroad, I think the luggage rack idea is not a good one. That's about 14 pounds of gas and water bouncing up and down on what is probably a subframe which is not engineered for that. This exact issue came up with Youtuber Itchy Boots on the last day of her Kalahari Rally adventure. Broke the subframe, with only one gallon of gas. A better setup would be like the Royal Enfield Himalayan has. A frame around the gas tank specifically built for adding stuff like this to. But maybe in back for you. Sounds like a custom job. __________________ 2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself
	0

03-06-2022, 08:43 PM	#5
gearhead1961 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 27	I won't be taking on the Kalahari but your point is a really good one. Thanks! __________________ ---------------------------------- 2022 CSC SG400 2021 CSC TT250 2013 Suzuki TU250 1977 Kawasaki KD175 1978 Honda CT90 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage SE 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS
	0

03-06-2022, 10:42 PM	#6
TxTaoRider Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Flower Mound Texas Posts: 904	Not really a cheap solution, but a few u bolts and a couple of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROTOPAX-RX-...-127632-2357-0 to mount to your rack, and you should be good to go. __________________ 2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene"
	1

03-06-2022, 04:26 PM	#2
zero_dgz Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 253	Hoo boy. Good luck with that. I went through the same search for my Bashan Enforcer (basically the same frame and layout) and found absolutely zip, nada, bupkis, zilch. I gave up and made my own pannier racks out of some of the scraps of the frame that came inside the crate (!) from the bike. I do have a welder, though, so that helped. Thoroughly wire brushed and coated in several layers of black Rust-Oleum, you can't really tell that a literally made the things out of trash. (I also expanded the cargo rack with a slice of a poly cutting board.)
	0

03-07-2022, 12:35 PM	#10
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 235	I asked this same question to someone here about my TT250. He said he has since gotten rid of his, but was kind enough to show me in great detail how he fashioned his rack. https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=30085
	2

03-07-2022, 01:08 PM	#11
China Rider 27 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: PNW Posts: 982	I too have found the tail end of the HAWK pretty sturdy. I once bounced 15 lbs of tools on the tail over a rock garden so hard it left burns of the strap weave indented in the aluminum rack.
	1