California 1400 OEM luggage rack

[Gavin]

Afternoon, to you all……whilst prepping my California 1400 for a trip to Switzerland…..I looked with envy at the following item

But no matter where I searched…nothing was available….sold out…no stock…nothing


Plenty of adverts and various prices ….but…no one had any for sale.

 

[Gavin]

All I had was the original OEM backrest item which came with the bike……and I have been trying to sell it for the past 6 months

I ride solo and had no need for the backrest, I had already changed it for the classic seat surround frame to emulate the T3.

But I really wanted a luggage rack and I was not keen on the HB variant or style.

My intentions are to only fit the rack on major trips like the Swiss or Italian ones with the T3 surround remaining in place at all other times.

 

[Gavin]

Sorry about this….I’m posting from a tablet and it’s a limited on its functions….or rather I’m a bit limited with its functions

Anyway….the search for the rack continued….I tried all of usual outlets in the US…the UK …Holland and Italy….all with no joy.

So…..being unable to sell my OEM back rest….I bought another generic Italian scooter rack….from EBay for £20 …hoping the base metal and chroming would be similar to the MG backrest……it was Italian after all

I stuck a mini cutting disc in the grinder and shaped this from both.





I then.tacked and welded both sections after visiting the dechroming tanks at the local platers….to remove most of the chrome……they charged 40 gb pounds to dip and strip.

This treatment allowed a better weld joint to be made ……as I hade change the design slightly from what MG offered.

I did away with the idea of bottom strut which bolts through the mudguard and bent my version to locate on the bottom loop of the seat frame.

 

[Gavin]

The final pre plating results are good and the rack mounts exactly as MG intended and let’s me use the rack without mounting a roll bag on the seat.




The new old rack was initially going to be chrome plated….but the platers were unhappy with the intricate sections and quoted 300 gb pounds as a deterrent.

My local powder crater showed no such reservations and will charge 80 pounds to blast seal and satin black the rack

I have 2 plastic bungs which will locate in the cut uprights creating a finished look and hopefully will post the fitted final version by next month end.

Necessity …is the Mother of Invention…so goes the saying

Hope this helps any would be alternative luggage rack searchers

Costs……deplating 40 pounds…..Aprilia rack 20 pounds and 80 pounds for blasting and powder coating….plus the spare California 1400 Tour backrest.

Befriend a welder and tug his leather apron….once you have his attention offer some folding money…they will always help

regards

Gavin
The Scottish Engineer

 

[PaulDavies]

The final pre plating results are good and the rack mounts exactly as MG intended and let’s me use the rack without mounting a roll bag on the seat.

View attachment 25914


The new old rack was initially going to be chrome plated….but the platers were unhappy with the intricate sections and quoted 300 gb pounds as a deterrent.

My local powder crater showed no such reservations and will charge 80 pounds to blast seal and satin black the rack

I have 2 plastic bungs which will locate in the cut uprights creating a finished look and hopefully will post the fitted final version by next month end.

Necessity …is the Mother of Invention…so goes the saying

Hope this helps any would be alternative luggage rack searchers

Costs……deplating 40 pounds…..Aprilia rack 20 pounds and 80 pounds for blasting and powder coating….plus the spare California 1400 Tour backrest.

Befriend a welder and tug his leather apron….once you have his attention offer some folding money…they will always help

regards

Gavin
The Scottish Engineer

Good job. However I notice your new fabricated rack lacks the trailing side support arms of the factory unit. Those ran under the rear fender/mudgard and bolted to the rear sub-frame to create a stronger trianglar support structure for the luggage. Without those it will probably put extra load/flex on your single support tab under the rear seat.

FYI just be careful loading that up with a lot of luggage as I seem to remember a story somewhere on this site about someone's 1400 rack breaking as a result of something similar - just my 2 cents/pence worth

 

[Gavin]

Paul…..noted and appreciated

My roll bag is fairly light in weight due to the OEM panniers taking most of my luggage….I’d guess 10 Ibs max
It would not be suitable for a top box or any other such thing.
More suitable for a hairdryer, slippers and a bath robe….like all Italian riders I know…I kid you not!
I really made this rack as a replacement of using the rear section of the seat.

Thanks

Gavin
The Scottish Engineer

 

[scottmastrocinque]

As the 1400’s have been discontinued for a couple of years now, you will find less and less available.

Such is a marque with < 10,000 annual units of production.

The aftermarket sales are so small that production parts runs become cost prohibitive.

Ask Todd, I’m sure he’s an expert on this as he bites this bullet with everything he designs and creates for Guzzisti here in the store.

 

[Moto-Uno]

That's the "Scottish Engineer " coming out in you . Nice job , those hair dryers can be a real pain to lug around .
Peter

 

[Ken Wantje]

All I had was the original OEM backrest item which came with the bike……and I have been trying to sell it for the past 6 months

I ride solo and had no need for the backrest, I had already changed it for the classic seat surround frame to emulate the T3.

But I really wanted a luggage rack and I was not keen on the HB variant or style.

My intentions are to only fit the rack on major trips like the Swiss or Italian ones with the T3 surround remaining in place at all other times.



View attachment 25912

How much are you asking for the backrest?

 

[Gavin]

Afternoon …..fans of the California 1400

I picked up the rack from the powder coating company and all is ready to mount to the bike.

I just wanted to post the image of the modified rack in order that the thread was finalised.





Not chrome…..but looks pretty good and I’m happy enough with to mount it on long trips.

thanks,

Gavin
The Scottish Engineer

 

[Moto-Uno]

I'd use that in a heart beat . Peter