Luggage Racks

[GungaDin]

I lashed out today and bought a Givi rack for the Elsie,

it's made of solid steel with an ABS platform for the "trunk".

Is there any reason why racks can't be made from aluminium.

I know nothing about Alu except that it's a lot lighter than steel.

Hard to fabricate and weld?

The Givi side arms and 'Universal' pannier brackets weigh a tonne.

Well made though, probably in Malaysia.

[saorsa]

Steel is stronger and will not fracture as quickly as aluminium, probably cheaper also

[noahvail]

As I understand it (and GOK I've been wrong before), it takes special training to weld aluminium. Don't know why...

If you live near the ocean or use salted roads (rare to find in Thailand ) the aluminium will pit very quickly. And paint over aluminium is a nasty thing - ask anyone with an early 50s Jag.

[GungaDin]

I've seen ref. to chromed "billet" alu. in the USA for motorcycle accessories.

<deleted> is billet alu ?

Ahhh! What's billet?

"an early 50s Jag"

[noahvail]

I've seen ref. to chromed "billet" alu. in the USA for motorcycle accessories.

<deleted> is billet alu ?

Ahhh! What's billet?

"an early 50s Jag"

yep, 53 Jag XK, aluminium body. lean up against it, instant dent but what a machine!