slomove Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 I have been using different methods for storing my luggage on several long distance trips (2 people, 2+ weeks), usually on a large luggage tray hanging from the rear of the car with 2 waterproof small duffel bags. Worked O.K. but not that convenient and kind of ugly. For the upcoming trip to Montana, Idaho and BC I fabricated a new luggage rack that allows for quick removal of a sturdy luggage cart/dolly that holds a really large duffel (normally intended for car roof transport). A semi-detached position gives access to the fuel filler cap. The cart makes it easy to haul the bag to the hotel room. Still needs to be proven practically but so far looking good. I thought it might give some ideas for the common luggage challenge with Se7ens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Well done, sir! :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGTorque Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 very very nice. i wish i could do the tour with you guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rzempel Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Does it latch in, or just tie on? Randall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Nice detail work. It's the attention to the details that make things look so good. Do the side window deflectors latch or does gravity do the job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 Does it latch in, or just tie on? Randall The lower tube of the cart first slips into the vertical bottom slot of the white bracket. The two middle tubes then swivel into the two horizontal upper slots, preventing it from lifting out. Te bracket takes up the whole weight of the luggage. I was thinking about a latch mechanism but opted for the simpler solution with the cord. It is thin but it is a Paracord with 550 pound breaking strength. I don't think I can accelerate fast enough to break that. The cord also allows for the semi-open position and once tensioned with a bunjee it will only tighten up more with vibration. I did have to relocate the license plate, though (temporarily). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 (edited) Nice detail work. It's the attention to the details that make things look so good. Do the side window deflectors latch or does gravity do the job? Thanks! The wind deflectors swivel out of the way around the mirror stalks when opening. They lock with a pin to the top of the windscreen when down and a thin metal strap over the rear end of the "door" sill. There is no real latch but it does not tend to lift up when driving and usually my outboard arm rests on the door sill and the metal strap anyway. These wind deflector are probably the most useful addition for touring. I have been using them for over ten years. They don't prevent the usual turbulence and buffeting completely but moves it back behind the driver's head. Together with the roll-up roof they also provide pretty good rain protection. Edited May 19, 2015 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Texas 7 Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 All looks great Slomove, Very innovative to make touring better in a Seven. Could you supply detail pictures of the wind deflectors and roll-up roof? I would love to have all three of these on my S2K. Thanks for sharing. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 ...........Could you supply detail pictures of the wind deflectors and roll-up roof?............ Sure....just looking over my old pics I noticed I installed the roof and the first version of the side screens in 2004. I did refurbish the side screens in 2010 because of wear, tear and rock impact. The latest version of the side screens is made from a thin-wall stainless tube frame and 0.08" clear PETG sheet, wrapped around the frame with a hot-air gun. Getting the 3-d shape of the frame by hand-bending in a vise without a jig was the most difficult part. The roll up roof is 0.04" thick rubber coated fabric, where there is a spring-loaded tube in the center which is supported by 8mm aluminum tubes. That way I can open and close the roof while in the seat (unless strapped to the roll bar which requires to get out and remove the straps). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 More pics.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) And even more pics....as you can see from the paint color and the headlights they are really old. Edited May 20, 2015 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) I don't think anyone has put as many miles on their 7 as you... wish I had half your ingenuity. If I ever get around to it, I will try this type of top Edited May 20, 2015 by Mondo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 great work, love the new baggage carrying system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Texas 7 Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Very useful touring modifications. Now it's time to get work building for mine. Enjoy your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottocycle Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Beautiful. Where did you get the wing mirrors? They look like they work !!! Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 ..........Where did you get the wing mirrors? .......... If you mean the black mirrors with the stainless steel stalks, I fabricated them myself. The mirror glass is ground to shape from a butchered aftermarket truck mirror and the black shells are 3-d-printed which is getting more popular nowadays. But we had such a machine at my company already some 10 years ago. Was pretty expensive back then.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Looks great! You've really done some nice work with your Birkin. It is truly impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plbs1234 Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Looks great! You've really done some nice work with your Birkin. It is truly impressive. Any concern about touring without a spare tire? Paul 1986 Caterham 1600 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted May 22, 2015 Author Share Posted May 22, 2015 (edited) .....Any concern about touring without a spare tire?..... Not really. I dumped the spare tire long time ago and have been touring 30,000 + miles without. I do have a tire patch kit with me and an inflator can of that green slime but have not had to use them (knock on wood). That should cover nails and the like. If for some unfortunate reason I would shred a tire completely or break the wheel, the AAA premier membership will do a 200 mile tow (assuming cell phone coverage where you break down). In the worst case you can drive with a flat tire (slowly) for some time on a Seven due to the low weight and the stiff suspension. Since the bolt pattern is Mazda style a replacement wheel should be easy to find. I am more concerned about the unique parts on my car. If e.g. the self-fabricated alternator mounting bracket should give up I would need to find the local blacksmith or if the Emerald ECU would fail I am dead in the water and it would be time to get the trailer. I do carry a full complement of tools, spare belts, accelerator cables wires, fuses, connectors and the like. Edited May 22, 2015 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 Gert, A great solution to a perennial Seven problem! I may have posted this before, but here goes again. I tackled the same luggage problem, with the added considerations of carrying a spare tire, and preserving visibility to the rear. I built my luggage rack out of aluminum tubing, pop-riveted at some joints, and sleeved with inner ferrules (to allow disassembly) at others. The rack frame slips over the spare tire mount posts (the mount is cut off, and then re- attached with inner sleeves). The top of the frame is tied to the rear roll-over bar braces with nylon straps. So the weight of the luggage is carried by the spare tire mount posts. I use three nylon ski-boot bags as my luggage, with a waterproof cover over each, tied with a drawstring at the bottom. They are held onto the rack with nylon straps and buckles, positioned by footman loops on the rack. I built the rack so that the two side-racks can be detached and left at home, and just use the center rack with its drop-down floor, or with the floor hinged up if no luggage is being carried. I do have to remove the right-hand bag to re-fuel the tank. When used in conjunction with a SBFS rear bag over the boot area of the Seven, i have enough capacity for a really long trip -- I used this combo on my 6100-mile drive from Colorado to Alaska in 2010. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now