Fitting pannier topb box rack to a Vincent Rapide

[frankauton]

I have just got hold of a Vincent rack fro Craven panniers (still looking for the panniers)
I have some old bike pictures which seem to show the fitting OK. The assembly has bushes on the arms which bolt onto the rear frame handle to allow for movement with the suspension. My question is the - the two side bars which bolt onto the frame just below the front of the seat - should they be bolted down tight or are they meant to have bushes to allow for movement? Also the front seat bolt does not seem to have quite enough thread for these side bars to allow the nut to be fully on the bolt - are longer bolts available?
Thanks - Frank

 

[norvin998]

I have just got hold of a Vincent rack fro Craven panniers (still looking for the panniers)
I have some old bike pictures which seem to show the fitting OK. The assembly has bushes on the arms which bolt onto the rear frame handle to allow for movement with the suspension. My question is the - the two side bars which bolt onto the frame just below the front of the seat - should they be bolted down tight or are they meant to have bushes to allow for movement? Also the front seat bolt does not seem to have quite enough thread for these side bars to allow the nut to be fully on the bolt - are longer bolts available?
Thanks - Frank

They should bolt up against the ends legs at the front of the seat. These in turn abut the the tube that rotates in bushes in the rear of the UFM. No additional bushes necessary. Check that the tube is present and is moving freely, it is not unknown for it to be seized solid if a previous owner does not appreciate how the seat suspension is supposed to work. I dont know if a longer bolt is available, it is easily made.
Les..

 

[Newbs1]

Hello Frank,

I thought Dragonfly Spares had purchased the Craven drawings and moulds etc from Phil (Primmer). I did not think they were commercially available as yet. Do you mind letting me know where you purchased your rack. many thanks - Geoff

 

[Albervin]

Frank, you bolt up the the rack frame good and tight at the front and rear of the seat. A longer front stud used to be available from the VOCS but I believe it is now permanently out of stock. Easy enough to replicate but make sure that the spacer between the seat ears is long enough for all to rotate.

 

[Chris.R]

Should the craven side bars run parallel front to rear? what shoul be the dimension between the bars at rear wher I intend to fit a platform for light goods only. I will need to make up struts to fit to the carrier platform which I intend to set halfway up the saddle.

 

[Michael Vane-Hunt]

If you set the rack too low it may smack into the mudguard.

 

[erik]

I made it that way

 

[Chris.R]

I made it that way

Yes I am aware of that and plan the rack two thirds up the seat height. I am using Dick Wheeldon`s set up on his Shadow as a model see my new reply with photo

 

[Chris.R]

Hi Photo shows what I am aiming at for a carrier that will carry my day bag rather than it being on my back. I have been in the garage today the Craven side bars at the front end are 9" across the metal, even tightening the brackets and reducing the gap to the damper/seat struts the bars still spread to 10" I will have to rejig the platform I have after I get some angle iron and it is welded in place further out, this so that the struts are straight and not offset to shape.

I notice that on the Craven Pannier rack I have which is genuine and not needed as I am only making a platform available, the bars the support struts come off are 9" apart I assume that the struts that did not come with the frame must have been offset?

Chris

 

[erik]

Very Heavy and rocking. This why I made it Full sprung and light and rigid.Proven on thousends of miles !