How to build a rear rack for $13

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 4:46 am

I bought a Buddy Scooter 2 days ago, so I made this video an hour ago.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfnSgCzGhb4

dasscooter · Post by **dasscooter** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 4:58 pm

Sketchy! It's not fun when your rack breaks off and all your stuff explodes onto the roadway. Been there.

giddyup98 · Post by **giddyup98** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 5:10 pm

If it were me, I would spend the extra $50-$60 and get a solid, sturdy chrome rack for the reason cited above.

BeefSupreme · Post by **BeefSupreme** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 7:30 pm

While I appreciate your ingenuity, you're putting a lot of faith in zip ties and the plastic tabs on the grab rail. But your main problem is that thing is going to flop around like crazy.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 7:35 pm

I did the same thing with my last scooter and rode 6,000 miles with and never had a problem. I just tested the new rack today and it is very strong. Just use a strong piece of wood. It did not flop around. Heavy duty zip ties are rated at 175 pounds each

If you buy the zip ties at Harbor Freight, the total cost of the job is $8, so you won't lose much by trying it out.

If you are paranoid, you can put a duffel bag in the milk crate, and then tie the duffel bag to the scooter as a backup connection, using the same principle as this.....

BoulderBud · Post by **BoulderBud** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 12:52 am

Similar to mine except I used U-bolts through the wood and around the rack.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 1:26 am

BoulderBud wrote:Similar to mine except I used U-bolts through the wood and around the rack.

Photo please

BoulderBud · Post by **BoulderBud** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 3:57 am

I can't figure out how to downsize the photo to fit here. Sorry, I only have an iPad.

bigmike7801 · Post by **bigmike7801** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 2:36 pm

What's next? Are you going to duct tape on some foot pegs?

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 4:39 pm

mike932 wrote:I bought a Buddy Scooter 2 days ago, so I made this video an hour ago.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfnSgCzGhb4

I'll give you an A for cheapness and creativity plus I have little room to talk considering how I have/do carry things on bikes.

But, I think that is a little too sketchy even for me. If you could brace the back of it somehow. Me thinks that one good bump in the road with weight on the rack would snap it off.

iwannascoot · Post by **iwannascoot** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 5:03 pm

Those zip ties are not uv protected either. They become brittle fairly quickly in the sunlight. I'm not ready to try this on my Buddy.

Billy

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 6:55 pm

bigmike7801 wrote:What's next? Are you going to duct tape on some foot pegs?

Don't be like that. I was trying to be helpful.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:32 pm

ScooterDave wrote:...... If you could brace the back of it somehow. Me thinks that one good bump in the road with weight on the rack would snap it off.

The milk crate attached to the wood board will make it less likely for it to break. The crate acts as a splint.

bigmike7801 · Post by **bigmike7801** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:35 pm

mike932 wrote:
bigmike7801 wrote:What's next? Are you going to duct tape on some foot pegs?
Don't be like that. I was trying to be helpful.

If you can't taking the jabbing...get off the internet

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:36 pm

bigmike7801 wrote:If you can't taking the jabbing...get off the internet

No.

bigmike7801 · Post by **bigmike7801** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:37 pm

mike932 wrote:
bigmike7801 wrote:If you can't taking the jabbing...get off the internet
No.

Well ok then, quit the b*tchin.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:39 pm

bigmike7801 wrote:Well ok then, quit the b*tchin.

Your mother is a prostitute, but I do not mean that as an insult, so if you can't take jabbing, get off the internet.

bigmike7801 · Post by **bigmike7801** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:40 pm

mike932 wrote:
bigmike7801 wrote:Well ok then, quit the b*tchin.
Your mother is a prostitute, but I do not mean that as an insult, so if you can't take jabbing, get off the internet.

See, I actually thought that was funny! Good job kid. There's hope for you yet.

iwannascoot · Post by **iwannascoot** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:09 pm

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly these discussions degrade into personal attacks.

Disgusting...

Billy

dasscooter · Post by **dasscooter** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 10:05 pm

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 1:09 am

I apologize to everyone for my profanity. I grew up in New York.

DeeDee · Post by **DeeDee** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 1:25 am

dasscooter wrote:

I'm so much cooler online.

sc00ter · Post by **sc00ter** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:21 am

I know how to settle this! Mike932 needs to be HONEST and post when his "rack" breaks and what items get scattered all over the road. Instead of picking on him, we can bet when the rack is going to fail. How many miles do you have since installing your home made rack? Let the betting begin! Im thinking 150 miles!

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:52 am

sc00ter wrote:I know how to settle this! Mike932 needs to be HONEST and post when his "rack" breaks and what items get scattered all over the road. Instead of picking on him, we can bet when the rack is going to fail. How many miles do you have since installing your home made rack? Let the betting begin! Im thinking 150 miles!

Let's make it interesting. I will bet you $300. By the way, each zip tie is rated for 175 pounds. I am using six of them. My typical grocery haul is about 20 pounds......
https://ziptieguy.wordpress.com/2012/01 ... -strength/

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Sat May 14, 2016 3:57 am

No, definitely not safe. If you're going to install a rear carrier using cable ties like that, at least cable tie a lightweight wire basket. I actually did that before I bought the OEM rear rack assembly and installed it. I used about 20 heavy duty ties just for that.

wheelbender6 · Post by **wheelbender6** » Sat May 14, 2016 1:09 pm

I think the $13 rack is a good temporary rack. Its not a long term item, in my opinion. I admire people that tinker with inexpensive, DIY items.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat May 14, 2016 5:52 pm

One comment about cable ties. Anyone who has used them outdoors has found out that the plastic is not very UV resistant. After a while, the ties become brittle and break.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Sat May 14, 2016 5:58 pm

Dooglas wrote:One comment about cable ties. Anyone who has used them outdoors has found out that the plastic is not very UV resistant. After a while, the ties become brittle and break.

Depends on the brand.....
http://bit.ly/1TD2Gw7

iwannascoot · Post by **iwannascoot** » Sat May 14, 2016 6:11 pm

"Cable Ties - UV resistant (black only)" The white ties are not UV resistant.

Billy

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Sat May 14, 2016 6:18 pm

If my cable ties get brittle, I will replace them with UV resistant ties. So far, the rack and milk crate show no signs of weakening after 300 miles of use and lots of groceries. And I did the same thing on my last scooter and the cable ties never broke after several thousand miles of use, and I was using cheap thin cable ties back then which were rated at 20 pounds each. The ties I am using now are rated at 175 pounds each.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat May 14, 2016 8:37 pm

iwannascoot wrote:"Cable Ties - UV resistant (black only)" The white ties are not UV resistant.

There are UV resistant cable ties available, but most black cable ties are not any more resistant than the white ones (or other colors). It is black ties that I have had fail in outdoor applications.

BoulderBud · Post by **BoulderBud** » Sat May 14, 2016 11:23 pm

Yep they snap. I'm always replacing cable ties on my deck. I recommend drilling two holes in 1/2 " plywood and attaching to rack with U bolts. It's a total diy look but I love having it open on top.

BoulderBud · Post by **BoulderBud** » Sun May 15, 2016 4:34 pm

I was finally able to figure out a way to post a pic of my basket mount. Just cropped it super small so it only shows one side.

BoulderBud · Post by **BoulderBud** » Sun May 15, 2016 4:43 pm

One more pic. I know many peeps won't like the look, but it's very practical.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Sun May 15, 2016 6:22 pm

Thanks for the photos. Will do that if the zip ties fail which I doubt.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Wed May 25, 2016 8:56 pm

"Cheap" and "50 MPH on two wheels" don't mix.

Someone pass the popcorn.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Wed May 25, 2016 9:08 pm

over 500 miles of use and no signs of breaking. you're gonna need a lot of popcorn.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Wed May 25, 2016 9:18 pm

mike932 wrote:over 500 miles of use and no signs of breaking. you're gonna need a lot of popcorn.

Don't much care if, or when, it breaks.

These days I don't run a rear crate - tends to wear out my rear tire too fast.

This thread, however, is quite amusing and makes me hungry for popcorn.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Wed May 25, 2016 9:29 pm

Yeah my five-pound milk crate really wears out my tire.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Thu May 26, 2016 1:28 am

JettaKnight wrote:These days I don't run a rear crate - tends to wear out my rear tire too fast.

Yup. Even my empty toolbox on the back wore the rear tire out too quick. I ride with the rear rack empty unless I need to strap something to it.

Modern Buddy

How to build a rear rack for $13

How to build a rear rack for $13

Re: How to build a rear rack for $13

Re: How to build a rear rack for $13