Hepco & Becker single seat rear rack

[Recluse]

From what I see, a fair number of classic 350 owners remove the rear seat. However, if like me, you still require some luggage carrying capacity, when you remove the rear seat you remove the option of the standard OEM rear rack which attaches to the rear seat instead of the grab rail. The alternative option I chose was the Hepco & Becker rear rack option (see photo).

Attached is a photo of the installation on my bike directly behind the standard riders seat. Hepco's instructions are very clear on how to fit, but I cheated and got the dealer to fit as part of the first service - they didn't report any problems. It's first use was to carry the removed rear seat assembly using a pair of ROK straps to hold the seat in place on the way home! I must admit I like its unobtrusive look, but it is available in chrome if you like the bling and your bike is styled that way.

This is as far I intend pushing the luggage capacity of the Classic. I didn't buy the bike for touring but just as an around-town/local hack. The Hepco C-bow rear luggage options for the Classic look far more promising than the very limited RE option, but at the moment I have no need of them.

 

[Stig57]

Nice ! What did that rush you ?

 

[Morgan60]

Nice looking rack, H-B makes good stuff.

 

[Stig57]

Ouch ! Not cheap at £168 but I agree about the quality. Always had H&B on the Guzzis.

 

[Recluse]

I agree its not cheap but you get what you pay for. It's the first time I've used H&B but I'm impressed with the quality of their work and the paperwork which details how to install. Decision one for me when I bought the bike was get rid of the rear seat - I did the same with my Indian and I don't carry pillion. Some carrying capacity never goes amiss and whilst looking at pannier options (didn't like the OEM options) someone mentioned H&B and I checked their website.

 

[Moto]

Nice looking, but I see a label on it indicating it is rated for only 11 lbs.! When you consider that the passenger seat that used to be there must have been rated for, oh, 150 lbs., it makes me question whether I would go this route. I looked at the frame supporting the rear seat when I did my initial service, and I was quite impressed with it. Unlike the simple tubing of the HB unit, the original frame has a sheet metal triangular gusset on each side.

I did order the rear rack that attaches to the seat frame. I am considering having a rack fabricated to sit on the frame while still allowing the RE rack to be used. This would be quite strong.

The rear seat with its strong frame and the two grab handles is also an attractive place to strap heavy items.

P.S. I went back to reread the initial post and was reminded that only light duty is intended for the rack. So my concerns were irrelevant. Sorry if I seemed critical of the choice.

 

[Andyneale]

I bought this on eBay from India for about £80. It looks to be very similar and seems pretty well made. Search for ‘solo rear luggage rack’ and you’ll find quite a few sellers. Mine arrived within a week.

 

[Recluse]

Looks great!

Personally, I would have never searched on eBay. I have this thing about buying off the internet from unknown sources, especially when that source is abroad.

 

[Stig57]

Heard some negative comments about the Indian racks - some are great, others not. I finally made a decision and bought Hepco and Becker.
It will come in handy and I have no desire to carry a pillion on the 350.

 

[CiscoGoodDog]

I visited the Hepco & Becker web site. They make a very nice rack for the Meteor too. I like this one better than the Givi rack.

 

[CiscoGoodDog]

Well, this makes me curious. Can the Meteor's rear fender be replaced with a fender from a classic? That would remove the pillion mount completely and make the Meteor a single seater. Things that make you say Humm...

Edit: No, the assemblies are very different :-\ It would be a cool look though.

 

[CiscoGoodDog]

Now I'm envious of Classic owners. Removing the pillion and rear sub-frame assembly exposes the full curvature of the rear fender. On the Meteor, doing the same exposes the unsightly shape of the rear fender. It is flattened and has raised mounting points molded into it (plus a big hole). I think it would be possible to mount the rear fender of a Classic onto a Meteor (with all the rest of the mounting parts) but the 17" rear wheel of the Meteor would look weird under it. It's time someone produced a smoothly shaped replacement fender for the Meteor ;-)