Krauser Panniers

[heli_madken]

Hi,

In 1980 I bought a set of Krauser panniers for my K2 and loved them so decided that I wanted to fit a set to my current K2.

I had no luck at all trying to find a decent set second hand so in the end I bought a new set re-manufactured by Hepco and Becker to the classic Krauser design. It was a bit of a punt as they are actually made for the old R series BMW and I had no way of knowing if they would fit or how I would fit them.

When they arrived I set to with a laser level taking as many measurements off the bike as possible and concentrating on the attachment point for the passenger grab rail and the fixing points for the rear light cluster.

Did some mock ups and design work then 3D printed the fixing racks which are reinforced with some alloy strapping.

I am chuffed with the results as I think they fit the bike perfectly -

For some reason the photos make the panniers look bigger than they are in proportion to the bike. In terms of alignment what I tried to do was match the top line of the seat and the rear edge of the side panel -

I designed my own 3D printer that has a bed big enough for this type of project. I didn't want to use tube and welding etc so my design mirrors the later generation Krauser frames that where injection moulded. The frames are fitted to the grab rail mounting point and to the rear light cluster via two aluminium stays, the overall result is they are absolutely solid.

They are reinforced with aluminium banding which gives a nice effect -

[offcenter]

Very nice, but I would have mounted them parallel to the top
of the exhaust system myself.
Otherwise, perfect!

[heli_madken]

Thanks, I would have had to do something dramatic with the rear indicators to achieve that which I didnt want to in trying to maintain originality, Ken

[landisr]

Nice outcome. They definitely fit tight to the bike. I am in the process of mounting a set of the newer style bags on my 1976. It will be a bit of a challenge because they were removed from a Suzuki GS1100 (thank you, Ebay, though).

Nice touch with the tank badges.

Congrats, and thanks for sharing.

Ron in AZ

[landisr]

PS. What shocks do you have in those pictures?

Ron

[heli_madken]

Thanks very much for your comments, they are Hagon shocks, not sure how old they are as PO fitted, they seem to be ok a little hard to me on their softest setting.0

[AZgl1800]

very nice work, especially building your own 3D printer to make that frame.

[heli_madken]

Thanks, I designed the printer specifically for large items. Having had a lifetime of hobby level milling, turning, welding and general fabrication it blows my mind that the things I can draw now I just press 'print', most useful tool I have ever had.

Here it is printing one half of the left frame -

[AZgl1800]

wow!

I downloaded that pix and blew it up 10 times and it is still sharp...

that is quite the machine

[sfruechte]

I have had Krauser bags on my 77 since 78 and the original Krauser mounts were made of aluminum and were far from rock solid and parts that actually attached to the bike rapidly failed and were replaced with homemade stainless steel replacements. The bags themselves and the brackets where the bags fit into are still going strong though. That must be some 3D printer you have. Very cool.

[heli_madken]

I seem to recall the mounts on mine consisted primarily of a powder coated steel channel which very quickly rusted to bits despite my best efforts. My next bike was a VF750 and I bought Krauser panniers again but this time the rack was injection moulded plastic which gave me the idea to try printing mine

Thanks again for the comments