RantMachine

My "universal panniers" turned out to be not so universal - the bloody support brackets are so big they clash with the rear support of the rack! So I had to file that down a little so it slides over the top. Then some of the bits where I removed the original fittings from the rack where scratching the hell out of the panniers! LOTS more filing... Finally by 10pm last night we have 3 of the four support stuck in place... And the 4th on each doesn't sit flat! MORE filing to do tonight, this time creating a groove in the locking lever so it fits over the bar. Might just be done in time to get to the rally before it gets dark, assuming I don't get too lost. At least they easily fit all my camping gear... But still, f**k it!!!

Looking like I'll be arriving late in the day, fitting the panniers has been a right headache (universal my arse) and I've still got a tiny bit of drilling to go. On the bright side they're so ruddy big that my tent fits in them so no messing around with bin liners and bungee cords for me

Thank you all for the advice, I succesfully didn't bugger it up This was the 6mm holes, round two tomorrow - drilling 8mm holes then carefully enlarging them with a metal file. Thanks again to Bob for loan of the bits and file!

FUUUUUUUUUUUU Pannier rack has arrived a day early but Motorworks kindly didn't mention when I ordered it all that this particular rack has a bunch of lugs sticking out that are probably going to get in the way of fitting the panniers... And no day off before the rally to take it to the smallworks. Piss. Edit: Panic averted, my two bike-mad bosses, being awesome as ever, helped me rip the buggers off

Woohoo, that'll be the one time in the whole weekend that my bike has an advantage over anything bigger than the 125s My arrival time will be based around when my pannier rack arrives. If it's thursday or earlier, I'll be aiming for 1pm-ish. If it's Friday morning, I'll need to give the silicone around the fittings time to dry. If it hasn't shown up by midday then out comes the luggage net and I guess I'll arrive around 3pm/4pm.

Safe to assume that I won't be on the Lexmoto!

Al, any chance I could use a power socket in your room over one of the evenings? (Assuming there is one going spare, of course) Still dependant on the old phone GPS speedo with mine being a bit erratic at times and I've only got a couple of spare batteries after I left the other two on the windowsill in the sun and they blew up...

It's 6.2 for the ones that hold it to the frame, the 10.2 is for the locking lever to go through.

Under any other circumstances I'd run them over to Mackays and ask them to drill it for me for a few quid, but my shift hours mean I'm in work whenever they're open Somewhat tempted to ask a friend if they can take them there for me... Having now run the oh-so-simple instructions through Google Translate, looks like I'll need a few other bits too, so a trip to B&Q is in order either way (thank you, late opening hours). "Easy to attach with basic household tools" my arse Starting to get the feeling that I'll be lucky to have these attached in time for the rally... if the rack doesn't arrive until Thursday or Friday morning, it looks like it's luggage net time. Sods law, this is probably the only time I'll actually need them all year, apart from going food shopping

Hiya all, Got to drill a bunch of 10mm diameter holes in my new panniers in order to attach the fitting kit. They're made of 1.2mm thick aluminium. Haven't got a drill, so I'm looking at borrowing one from a friend and buying the relevant bit for it (he's only got bits for wood or masonry). Anyone able to advise what kind of bit should be used? I realise this is probably a daft question, but I'm not a practical person in the slightest and I don't want to bugger it up and end up with wobbly panniers

32 litre, smallest they did!

Panniers have arrived! Just got to wait a day or two for the rack and try to scrounge a drill with a 10mm bit from somewhere so I can attach the fittings...

Wrap everything in several layers of bin liner! Did that last year and it worked a treat.

Sounds just like the A14 EVERY. DAMN. DAY. It may be a bit of a dick move, but I've gotten really good at overtaking people on sliproads.

I hear gaffer tape works wonders But being serious, a luggage net is a great way to go. That's how I secured all of my camping gear last year and nothing moved even the slightest. Had a couple of bungee cords going across it in an X shape under a lot of tension to stop the weight shifting the slightest.

Hahahahaha! I'd offer to bring a spare luggage net next week if I could find the damn thing...

But... I pre booked my therapy this time - they even gave me a discount after the number of sessions it took to forget the costume from last year

Tried Halfrauds? Mine was £13 and they even had some on sale for £3 (ZZR600 haynes, anyone? )

Got my panniers and fitting kit ordered in time, yay Just got to pray the rack arrives in time! Website said 5 to 7 working days, so at the latest they'll arrive on the Friday of the rally... Fingers crossed for an early delivery and no problems fitting them!

Heya Getting a Pl188 rack, hopefully in time for the Rally, to attach a set of Alpos panniers to. They have two fitting kits available, for 15mm tubing and 18mm tubing, squared or rounded. Presumably all Monokey accepting racks are the same diameter? So, praying someone can measure theirs and let me know what to order

Awesome, just got a call from dear old Ma and Pa saying that they've ordered me a pannier rack as a birthday gift and will be shipping it to Cambridge a little early so I have it for the rally! Fingers crossed I can actually get the panniers to stick on it in time... Would certainly make it easier to shift a pillion and enough camping equipment for two people (saw the pillion in half, one bit in the left pannier and one in the right - perfectly balanced, nice). Calling Motorworks at 9am, I guess If I maintain my usual level of incompetence, Cambridge members can expect me to beg them for help fitting the damn things no doubt

Anyone going tonight? I'm on shifts so won't arrive until half past seven ish, but will certainly be there.

Mine could do with servicing before I go. Might even clean it for once, too...

So you're letting someone else drive it then?

I don't think it matters either way, does it?