Krauser Panniers
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:51 am
- Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000 K2
Krauser Panniers
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 -
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
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:10 pm
- Location: Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
- Motorcycle: 99 Gl-1500 SE
76 GL-1000
77 Honda Trail 90
Re: Krauser Panniers
Very nice, but I would have mounted them parallel to the top
of the exhaust system myself.
Otherwise, perfect!
of the exhaust system myself.
Otherwise, perfect!
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:51 am
- Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000 K2
Re: Krauser Panniers
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
- Posts: 924
- Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:18 pm
- Location: Gilbert, AZ
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
1976 GL1000LTD
1994 GL1500A
Re: Krauser Panniers
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
Nice touch with the tank badges.
Congrats, and thanks for sharing.
Ron in AZ
I'm not so sure about an inner child, but I have an inner idiot that surfaces every now and then.. 

- landisr
- Posts: 924
- Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:18 pm
- Location: Gilbert, AZ
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
1976 GL1000LTD
1994 GL1500A
Re: Krauser Panniers
PS. What shocks do you have in those pictures?
Ron
Ron
I'm not so sure about an inner child, but I have an inner idiot that surfaces every now and then.. 

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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:51 am
- Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000 K2
Re: Krauser Panniers
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
- Posts: 2932
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:46 pm
- Location: Lake Oologah Indian Territory USA
- Motorcycle: 2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc https://imgur.com/foGDjgv
'02 GL1800 lives in Dawsonville, GA now.
My son is going to enjoy it for many years to come.
Re: Krauser Panniers
very nice work, especially building your own 3D printer to make that frame.
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:51 am
- Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000 K2
Re: Krauser Panniers
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 -
Here it is printing one half of the left frame -
- AZgl1800
- Posts: 2932
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:46 pm
- Location: Lake Oologah Indian Territory USA
- Motorcycle: 2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc https://imgur.com/foGDjgv
'02 GL1800 lives in Dawsonville, GA now.
My son is going to enjoy it for many years to come.
Re: Krauser Panniers
wow!
I downloaded that pix and blew it up 10 times and it is still sharp...
that is quite the machine
I downloaded that pix and blew it up 10 times and it is still sharp...
that is quite the machine
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- Posts: 219
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:53 pm
- Location: La Crosse, WI
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000
Re: Krauser Panniers
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.
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:51 am
- Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000 K2
Re: Krauser Panniers
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
Thanks again for the comments