How much would you pay?

[Buster-boy]

I'm in the market for a Vetter luggage rack (not the trunk, just the rack)that mounts to a Vetter saddlebag frame on an 81 GS850GX. I found one online in a salvage yard somehwere in Texas supposedly in good condition. I think he thinks he's got gold or something. How much should something like this cost? I tell you what he's asking once I see what you guys feel something like this is worth. Not that it's a big secret, I figured you guys have been in this industry longer than me and I just want to know what you'd pay.

Thanks and let me know.

Jim

 

[almarconi]

It would pain me to pay more than $50 for any kind of luggage rack. But I guess I'm just thrifty.

 

[Buster-boy]

That's about where I'm at as well. This guy wants $225. Like I said, I think he thinks he's got gold or something. I'll keep searching. Thanks!!

 

[ddaniels]

That's about where I'm at as well. This guy wants $225. Like I said, I think he thinks he's got gold or something. I'll keep searching. Thanks!!

That price is WAY out of line. You could probably buy the whole kit and kaboodle for that price. Keep looking.

 

[tkent02]

I bought an entire 850 including that same rack and the bags for $250, he probably did too.
If you buy the rack he has a free bike.

Nothing wrong with that, someone may buy it.

Offer him what it's worth to you, he may take it, or he may call you back about four days before payday when he's out of smokes or beer or something.

I like to make these offers with his wife present, I have offered a real lowball on a bike once and had his wife grab the money out of my hand.

"Sold, I guess"

 

[Buster-boy]

No kidding way out of line!! Geez, I only paid $75 for the bags. He's replied on other part requests I've submitted and he's always waaaay over priced - like $300 for a gas tank.

 

[Planecrazy]

Is this what you're looking to buy?

These racks ARE hard to find in good shape. This one is in almost perfect shape ... It's never been on the bike, and has just the slightest bit of pitting from sitting in the garage. I haven't tried to do any serious polishing to it, but it is in overall excellent shape.

The reason it's not on my bike is that the PO sold me the bike with both the Vetter side bags and a KG slide-mount trunk (but no Vetter trunk). I adapted the KG rack to work with the Vetter frame (in place of this piece), and I like the look better than the bulkier Vetter trunk so I never went looking for the Vetter equivalent.

I'm planning to list my bike for sale in the next few days and I originally planned to offer this rack as part of the package ... but since the bike is already complete with the KG trunk I'd be willing to let this go... PM me if you're interested, but be aware that it is ONLY this piece that is available ... not the frame it attaches to. Presumably you already have that on your bike, since it ties the two Vetter side bags together and gives strength and rigidity to the setup...

Regards,

 

[Bert Patterson]

I'm planning to list my bike for sale in the next few days and I originally planned to offer this rack as part of the package ...

So, I must've missed something..............did you at last pick up something else?

 

[Planecrazy]

So, I must've missed something..............did you at last pick up something else?

Yes and no ... I made a decision last year to give up bikes for awhile in order to spend $$ on something else. My wife thought I was nuts (I probably am), but it was my choice. On the other hand, I've had a "project" 1100GK sitting in the garage for awhile and although my plan was initially to sell it as well I MIGHT get away with hanging on to that one, since there isn't much money tied up in it at this moment. We'll see...

Regards,

 

[Planecrazy]

BTW, Buster-Boy, here is what the KG trunk looks like on my bike, and the modified KG rack it sits on. Please excuse the extremely dusty 1100G it's sitting on ... I have to give it a thorough cleaning tomorrow!

Regards,

 

[Buster-boy]

I appreciate the offer but what I don't have is the frame that attaches to the saddlebag frame (See attached thumbs). I emailed the salvage yard back today and offered him $50. Haven't heard anything and probably won't.

The AMA Vintage Bike Days is this weekend at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. I'm going to head up there and see if maybe I can pick one up from there.

If you can though, can hang on that rack. Maybe I can get some stock from Home Depot and fab a frame myself. I'll keep you posted.

Jim

 

[Buster-boy]

BTW - where'd you find that KG trunk? I've been trying to find KG products myself and can't find anything on them any more. I know they're old school stuff, but I'm guessing they're now out of business?

 

[Planecrazy]

My KG trunk came with the bike when I purchased it, though they do pop up every once in awhile. I was bummed out when I discovered that it wouldn't work with the Vetter bags unless I chopped up the KG rack and fabricated new pieces to connect it to the Vetter framework but it worked out fine in the end. I not only like the way it looks by comparison with the Vetter trunk, but also the fact that it is a lockable "slide-mount" that easily comes off the bike when I want to take it into a hotel room. I added the LED third brake light, which came off a '90's era GM Astrovan/Blazer/Suburban.

I'm surprised that your bags didn't come with the bracketry to tie them together, because according to the instructions (if I remember correctly) they are required to keep the side bags stable. Not only are there two "hoops" that connect together with the chrome rack, but also a U-shaped bracket that comes around the back of the bike. The addition of these pieces makes a huge difference in how stiff the entire structure becomes, versus having them hang off the sides independent of each other.

Regards,

 

[Buster-boy]

Yeah, it only came with the two side brackets and the lower rear one that wraps around the tire. It's actually pretty stable the way it sits. I had to use tie wraps where it sits on the bike near the foot pegs, but they're black and you don't even see them. I didn't want to take pics of the that low on the bike because you'd see my plate number, and there's a few people on GSR that don't like me much and would love the opportunity to kick my teeth in (long story from last year). Like Rambo, they started it, not me, but I was the newbie at the time so that makes me wrong. Go figure??

 

[Bert Patterson]

Yes and no ... I made a decision last year to give up bikes for awhile in order to spend $$ on something else. My wife thought I was nuts (I probably am), but it was my choice. On the other hand, I've had a "project" 1100GK sitting in the garage for awhile and although my plan was initially to sell it as well I MIGHT get away with hanging on to that one, since there isn't much money tied up in it at this moment. We'll see...

Regards,

Well, bikes don't cost me much, but you've seen that pristine is not my goal. I've never not had one (except for a few months when I totalled a Triumph and couldn't ride in '85) since I was 14. They are sort of definitional and non-optional.

But..........my brother has been shopping for an airplane for about six months (perhaps that's your........).