Anyone ever made a grab rail?

[Mr. Dazzle]

Grab rails are probably pretty strong anyway - they're not gonna be made from really thin section steel 'cause that's actually harder to bend and weld, and it's not like they're gonna be commissioning custom pipe designs from the steel mills.

P.S. my plastic fuel pipe connectors aged and broke 15 years before Priest's

[Horse]

raw materials probably won't be the major cost item. Getting the parts welded/plated/powder coated will probably be the main cost component.

It's likely that 'the item' in total costs about third of the price.

[mangocrazy]

A couple of years ago I 'made' a set of bars for my KTM Duke 690, as I couldn't get on with the OE items. I bought the steel tube, cut them to the correct size/shape on the horizontal bandsaw and drilled the required holes on my pillar drill. I then took the pieces to my friendly local welders who turned a bunch of funny shaped tubes into a set of bars. This cost me a couple of nice bottles of wine. To finish them off I got them powder coated. Total cost (not including my time and kit) was around £70.

The OE bars were aluminium and went from 28mm (1 1/8") at the bar clamps to 22mm (7/8") at the bar ends where the controls mounted. I couldn't match that kind of sorcery so had to use two different tube thicknesses and went with steel as it was cheaper, stronger and more readily available in the sizes I needed. It was also heavier of course, but not to any significant degree.

So it can be done, you just have to work out ways of achieving the end result using different methods to the manufacturers.

[Supermofo]

Not sure if this has been suggested, but have you thought about a Givi rack for your bike? I realise this takes you firmly into the realm of Topbox Terrys, but from what my pillion passengers have said, the mounting hardware that Givi use can make for a useful grabrail. Alternatively look at the fixing points on the subframe that the various manufacturers use and try to adapt their creations to your needs.

Yup that's what I would have said, but I think LGF is a bit top box- aphobic. Only taken a pillion 3 times in a few years but each time they held on to the rails.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Yup that's what I would have said, but I think LGF is a bit top box- aphobic. Only taken a pillion 3 times in a few years but each time they held on to the rails.

I'm not a pizza delivery rider

[Mr. Dazzle]

A couple of years ago I 'made' a set of bars for my KTM Duke 690, as I couldn't get on with the OE items. I bought the steel tube, cut them to the correct size/shape on the horizontal bandsaw and drilled the required holes on my pillar drill. I then took the pieces to my friendly local welders who turned a bunch of funny shaped tubes into a set of bars. This cost me a couple of nice bottles of wine. To finish them off I got them powder coated. Total cost (not including my time and kit) was around £70.

I "made" the pursuit handlebar extensions which Wiggo and co used in Rio 2016 - I did nearly the whole frame actually, but the bars are the only bit which were bits of metal tube. I of course did absolutely no making myself, I just commissioned the various machine wizards who did their bits. They were aluminium tubes anodised black, lovely lovely bits of kit. Think they were about £100 a set all in, but there was probably a significant "flagship advertising" discount involved!

BTW, Wiggins was the only rider who had a 'double bend' like that in his bars. He's a proper Prima Donna who has to be made to feel special.

[mangocrazy]

A couple of years ago I 'made' a set of bars for my KTM Duke 690, as I couldn't get on with the OE items. I bought the steel tube, cut them to the correct size/shape on the horizontal bandsaw and drilled the required holes on my pillar drill. I then took the pieces to my friendly local welders who turned a bunch of funny shaped tubes into a set of bars. This cost me a couple of nice bottles of wine. To finish them off I got them powder coated. Total cost (not including my time and kit) was around £70.

I "made" the pursuit handlebar extensions which Wiggo and co used in Rio 2016 - I did nearly the whole frame actually, but the bars are the only bit which were bits of metal tube. I of course did absolutely no making myself, I just commissioned the various machine wizards who did their bits. They were aluminium tubes anodised black, lovely lovely bits of kit. Think they were about £100 a set all in, but there was probably a significant "flagship advertising" discount involved!

BTW, Wiggins was the only rider who had a 'double bend' like that in his bars. He's a proper Prima Donna who has to be made to feel special.

Nice one.... Don't understand what benefit the 'double bend' confers, but if it made him feel 'special' then I guess it did its job.

These are the (far more prosaic) bars I 'made' compared to the OE ones. These are actually the Mk 1 version, the Mk 2 were similar, but with various angles subtly adjusted.

DSC_4464.JPG (425.81 KiB) Viewed 214 times

And fitted to the bike:

DSC_4484.JPG (694.02 KiB) Viewed 214 times

[ChrisW]

the only rider who had a 'double bend' like that in his bars.

Was there any reason for the double bend other than ego? I can't immediately see any advantage.

[Rockburner]

Is there any point (assuming higher quality = higher cost) from doing anything more?

Depends on how safe/strong you want the thing to be.

i.e. the minimum needed?

Potentially it could be thicker-walled tube, wax-filled, anti-rust coated (or stainless). At higher cost. But is any of that actually required?

How strong does it need to be to qualify as 'safe' or 'safer'?

If you compare that with things like Priest's plastic fuel pipe connectors, aging and breaking ...

It depends on whether or not Renntex want to simply make and sell cheap tat, or gain a reputation as a manufacturer of a decent, long-lasting, realiable product.

[Mr. Dazzle]

the only rider who had a 'double bend' like that in his bars.

Was there any reason for the double bend other than ego? I can't immediately see any advantage.

There's an argument that hugging the bottom of the forearm is lower drag.

Those bars were made at half past the 11th hour before Rio though, so it wasn't feasible to closely form fit every rider.

[Rockburner]

A couple of years ago I 'made' a set of bars for my KTM Duke 690, as I couldn't get on with the OE items. I bought the steel tube, cut them to the correct size/shape on the horizontal bandsaw and drilled the required holes on my pillar drill. I then took the pieces to my friendly local welders who turned a bunch of funny shaped tubes into a set of bars. This cost me a couple of nice bottles of wine. To finish them off I got them powder coated. Total cost (not including my time and kit) was around £70.

I "made" the pursuit handlebar extensions which Wiggo and co used in Rio 2016 - I did nearly the whole frame actually, but the bars are the only bit which were bits of metal tube. I of course did absolutely no making myself, I just commissioned the various machine wizards who did their bits. They were aluminium tubes anodised black, lovely lovely bits of kit. Think they were about £100 a set all in, but there was probably a significant "flagship advertising" discount involved!

BTW, Wiggins was the only rider who had a 'double bend' like that in his bars. He's a proper Prima Donna who has to be made to feel special.

Nice one.... Don't understand what benefit the 'double bend' confers, but if it made him feel 'special' then I guess it did its job.

These are the (far more prosaic) bars I 'made' compared to the OE ones. These are actually the Mk 1 version, the Mk 2 were similar, but with various angles subtly adjusted.


DSC_4464.JPG


And fitted to the bike:


DSC_4484.JPG

Did you look at trying the Tommaselli 'Jota' adjustables? You've ended up with something that looks very similar.

[The Spin Doctor]

A buddy of mine bent some metal conduit (about 2/3 inch diameter, for wiring) into the right shape. Some pipe clips secured it to the frame. Carried passengers, luggage... was still on the bike when I sold it as a non-runner at 85k plus.

Not quite in the Wiggo class

[mangocrazy]

Did you look at trying the Tommaselli 'Jota' adjustables? You've ended up with something that looks very similar.

Yes, agreed, and those bars (and the old 'Ace' bars from the 50s/60s/70s) were very much in my thinking when coming up with 'my' bars. The only problem with the Tommaselli bars were a) I'd given a set away to an ex-workmate and b) the centre (clamped) piece was a lot wider on the Tommasellis and I wanted slimmer. Also the KTM bars have that larger 28mm section where it's clamped to the yoke and from memory the Tommasellis are 22mm there.

But you're right - I've come up with a set of non-adjustable Tommasellis...

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Did you look at trying the Tommaselli 'Jota' adjustables? You've ended up with something that looks very similar.

Yes, agreed, and those bars (and the old 'Ace' bars from the 50s/60s/70s) were very much in my thinking when coming up with 'my' bars. The only problem with the Tommaselli bars were a) I'd given a set away to an ex-workmate and b) the centre (clamped) piece was a lot wider on the Tommasellis and I wanted slimmer. Also the KTM bars have that larger 28mm section where it's clamped to the yoke and from memory the Tommasellis are 22mm there.

But you're right - I've come up with a set of non-adjustable Tommasellis...

You can buy 28mm to 22mm converters or just have fitted different clamps

[mangocrazy]

Did you look at trying the Tommaselli 'Jota' adjustables? You've ended up with something that looks very similar.

Yes, agreed, and those bars (and the old 'Ace' bars from the 50s/60s/70s) were very much in my thinking when coming up with 'my' bars. The only problem with the Tommaselli bars were a) I'd given a set away to an ex-workmate and b) the centre (clamped) piece was a lot wider on the Tommasellis and I wanted slimmer. Also the KTM bars have that larger 28mm section where it's clamped to the yoke and from memory the Tommasellis are 22mm there.

But you're right - I've come up with a set of non-adjustable Tommasellis...

You can buy 28mm to 22mm converters or just have fitted different clamps

Yeah, guess so, but it was easier to make them from scratch and to be honest I simply couldn't find anything on the market that fitted the bill. I also needed to reduce the overall width of the bars so I can get the bike down the alley way in the row of terraces I live in, and that influenced my decision to roll my own. I'm very happy with the final result and they're all day comfortable.

[Cousin Jack]

I'm not a pizza delivery rider

Nor am I, but............

Givi topbox fittings often offer very good handholds.

and

Topboxes are incrediy usefull

[Horse]

It depends on whether or not Renntex want to simply make and sell cheap tat, or gain a reputation as a manufacturer of a decent, long-lasting, realiable product.

Sadly, motorcyclists have a grim record for accepting tat. And the companies providing it continuing on.

Waterproofs that are not, or not for any length of time. RiDE magazine did a group test where most jackets kept the water out but the pockets leaked. The exception was the one which leaked but had waterproof pockets.

Or protective gear that isn't. Look how many very expensive suits are AA or even A rated. Think back to when gear had to be CE to be sold as offering protection. Most manufacturers simply altered their advertising to sell on style.

Look at the recent activities by trading standards, shutting down stands at shows.

[A_morti]

+1 @Cousin Jack
Once you get over the fashion victim bit, top boxes increase the capability of your motorcycle like no other modification. Even a single helmet box gives you a secure (within limits) dry spot to leave your lid when you get off, lets you bring your daughter's lid if you are picking her up, lets you carry stuff and know it'll be dry when you arrive without rubbing your bodywork or seat like side bags, adds a backrest, means you never need to carry a rucksack again, you can keep your warm gloves and overtrousers in there, your driving documents... Etc etc etc.
You just have to stop worrying what people think.

[Mr. Dazzle]

+1 for the top boxes here too, on my daily commuter at least

It came with the bike, but I wouldn't give it up now.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Bloody hell, I've been the catalyst for the formation of the Top Box Fan Club