learning something new even 5 years in - rear rack weight

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:49 pm

so you know there is limit on the weight the rear rack can handle, right? Something like 15lbs? Well, I've had a Givi topcase on my rack for 5 years thinking there was no problems. I guess I assumed the weight limit was about the rack.

Well, I was shocked to get a call from my shop saying my "frame was cracked" in 5 places and needed to be fixed.

In the end it was frame piece that the rack attaches to. My rack is rusted and looks terrible, I was sure it was gonna break at some point but apparently what broke first was the frame support. IN 5 PLACES.

Moral of story: don't overload your rack unless you want to risk frame damage.... GAK!

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 4:02 am

I would think living so close to the sea that the salty air would help speed your rack problems as well...

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:11 pm

my rack is all kinds of rusty and didn't crack or break. It was the brace to the frame that broke. broke in 5 places!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:00 am

Yikes! Did they take any pics?

ed85379 · Post by **ed85379** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:45 pm

As someone who has had the bit of the "frame" that the rack connects to break, more than once, I find this story very difficult to believe, and you should definitely ask your shop for photos of the "damage".

First of all, the reason I put that "frame" in quotes, is because the bit that the rack attaches, to, the part with the center bolt, is itself just a separate piece that is bolted to the actual frame. Where mine broke, more than once (because, it turns out, a missing rubber shock-absorbing washer as part of the center bolt attachment), was right around the base of the bolt itself, the center of the U-shaped piece, which is also fairly easily replaceable (as easy as getting the plastics off, which is far from easy).

So I cannot believe that it "broke in 5 places", as there isn't 5 places for it to possibly break.

koyla87 · Post by **koyla87** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:41 am

My rack popped off last week, Ive had it since 2009... Living near the Beach could have played a part.
but i haven't had a chance to take off any of the panels to inspect it

Vespa motorsport estimated under $200 to fix. But I did not have my Blackjack with me at the time I stopped by.

BootScootin'FireFighter · Sun Feb 09, 2014 1:26 pm

I can see a visible crack on the crossbar, the thin flat bar that connects the 2 round bars, right at where the center screw goes in. It's been on my list of things to replace.