Craven luggage
I didn't buy a rack from Phil Primmer, not sure if it was what i wanted. No worries, I can design a much simplified one, WITHOUT a rack at the back because i can't get my leg high enough to dismount, and probably save a bit of money. So I did, and was quoted £648 to build it. Phil was good enough to supply me a set of stainless Craven mounts when clearly very, very busy, so giving him something to laugh about in retirement is the least i can do......
My design was a rail straight back from the front of the seat, with a loop over the wheel at the back of the seat (angled at 120 deg to match the stay, please note if attempting to make something that doesn't look hideous) with two angled struts to each footrest plate to carry the vertical load. To this frame were to be mounted a couple of ally plates to which the panniers (Craven Dolomite) would be fixed.
New thinking however, and based on my desire to have something that does NOT look like the Forth Rail Bridge c/w maintenance scaffolding, and does NOT involve welding which I can't do, is based on the original Vincent system.
Two plates made from ally chequerplate about the same size as the pannier cases. Main weight support, a bolt through the rearmost hole in the footrest plate. (The Vin design hangs the (small) panniers from the seat.) A tie to the front of the seat, a loop over the back to stiffen, Phil's beautiful stainless mounts fixed to the plate, panniers affixed, world my oyster: fully sprung, the plates invisible behind the pannier cases, no welding, and there would be nothing higher than the seat to catch my leg on as I dismounted, assuming I could get my leg that high in the first place.
Since i only thought this out an hour ago (before reading this thread) tomorrow's task is to troll up to B & Q for enough plywood to make a mock-up.
Since there is every chance this will prove to be fools gold, keep me posted. If it looks as though it's the real thing, I'll advise. And if i were you, I'd buy one of Phil's last four sets of stainless fittings "while stocks last".
I have copies of the Vin drawings M 043 and M 044, showing how the Vin panniers were fitted, and all the bits. Send personal email for copy. Having KTB to hand helps in understanding them.