Pannier Racks for Big Boy/Hawk 250

lilgman · 07-18-2020, 12:44 PM

I'm wanting to put some soft pannier/saddle bags on my Big Boy 250 which is basically the South African version of the Hawk but with a balanced engine. After looking at threads here and pictures all over the web, it looks like pretty much everyone uses tubing for this. I don't have bender, or a way to buy one with the border between Lesotho and South Africa closed, so I decided to try something different. I used some 5mm flat bar I had lying around.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Will work?it Any obvious improvements?

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I was originally planning to put a cross brace from the two sides tight to the fender just out of reach of the knobby. I may still do this, but if I weld it, there's no way to take the rack off. It will have to bolt on as I don't want this to be completely permanent.

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Here's a picture of one of the saddle bags. It's still a work in progress--no straps yet. They started life as a high quality tonneau cover for my 25-year-old Toyota Hilux. I have a canopy/cap for it so never used the cover any more. My elderly friend is really good at sewing canvas, shoes, etc., and he needed money to buy food during this Covid thing, so that gave him a couple days of good-paying (for here) work. Once I get the racks all figured out, I'll take the bags back to him to have straps and buckles put on.

07-18-2020, 12:44 PM	#1
lilgman Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Lesotho Posts: 105	Pannier Racks for Big Boy/Hawk 250 I'm wanting to put some soft pannier/saddle bags on my Big Boy 250 which is basically the South African version of the Hawk but with a balanced engine. After looking at threads here and pictures all over the web, it looks like pretty much everyone uses tubing for this. I don't have bender, or a way to buy one with the border between Lesotho and South Africa closed, so I decided to try something different. I used some 5mm flat bar I had lying around. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Will work?it Any obvious improvements? I was originally planning to put a cross brace from the two sides tight to the fender just out of reach of the knobby. I may still do this, but if I weld it, there's no way to take the rack off. It will have to bolt on as I don't want this to be completely permanent. Here's a picture of one of the saddle bags. It's still a work in progress--no straps yet. They started life as a high quality tonneau cover for my 25-year-old Toyota Hilux. I have a canopy/cap for it so never used the cover any more. My elderly friend is really good at sewing canvas, shoes, etc., and he needed money to buy food during this Covid thing, so that gave him a couple days of good-paying (for here) work. Once I get the racks all figured out, I'll take the bags back to him to have straps and buckles put on.
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