Fitting Honda Pannier Rack to 650 Transalp

[Fruit Loop]

Found myself some s/h Honda 650 transalp panniers and pannier rack. Now the problem is how to fit the rack to my bike without instructions.

I've had a go and I'm struggling to work out how the thing bolts to the frame under the seat.
- Does anyone have any pics of the pannier rails on a 650 without the panniers on (and ideally without the seat on, either)?
- Better still does anyone have any guidance to offer, or the Honda Fitting Instructions?
(Note panniers and rack are from a 2004 bike, mines a 2005. Does that make any diference?)

I'm fairly confident I've worked out which bolts it fits on, but can't work out with the front one (each side) whether the pannier rail sits on top or underneath the existing bolt, and whether there should be an additional rubber spacer for the pannier rail. The rear one each side is more problematic, as the bracket from the rails is a shallow U shape section (with square corners) and looks like it won't sit properly in the existing assembly. Also seems too high for the rest of the pannier rail assembly. I'm wondering whether there should be an extra long replacement bolt (each side) and the rails attach under (rather than above), the rear mudguard, but even then it seems it wouldn't sit well with the captive nut under the frame.

I'm also guessing I'm going to have to cut the panel at the rear of the left hand side cover, but I'm not doing any of that until I'm sure it's needed and in the right place.

[AlanH]

PM BTBloke. He's got a set and has had them on and off.

Was that the ebay set by any chance?

[Fruit Loop]

PM BTBloke. He's got a set and has had them on and off.

Was that the ebay set by any chance?

1) OK, I'll try BT Bloke. Thanks for the tip.
I did find an old post from someone (else) offering to copy the fitting instructions, and have PM'd them, but as they haven't posted since 2008 I'm not holding my breath.

2) Yes, they were the ones on ebay. Don't know what came over me!

[StumpyFingers]

I would expect them to fit under the rear carrier so offer them up to the bike with this in mind and the rest of the mounts should become apparent.

[btbloke]

Fruit loop I've pm'd you my number, give me a bell.

[Fruit Loop]

I would expect them to fit under the rear carrier so offer them up to the bike with this in mind and the rest of the mounts should become apparent.

Done that and I'm still in the dark, I'm afraid. Yes, they do fit under the rear carrier, but exactly how is the question!

[Fruit Loop]

I've had some very useful advice from BT Bloke (thanks enormously, mate), but I still have some detailed questions: -

1) Can anyone post a picture of the rear indicators' new position and the bracket for this (under the rear rack?) with Honda pannier rack fitted (the indicators have to move from the standard position, and I don't have the bracket that comes with the Honda pannier kit)?

2) On the upper front fixing of the rails to the bike (under the seat) the bike without panniers has, from top down -- bolt head, washer, rubber spacer, sub-frame, rubber spacer, frame with captive nut under. Where in this sequence does the bracket on the pannier rail go?

3) At the rear-most fixing of the pannier rail to the bike (under the mudguard) does anyone have any sort of spacer between the mudguard and the captive nut on the frame above it (i.e. is there anything between the pannier rail and the frame apart from the mudguard)?

4) BT Bloke's rear cross-brace (cranked bar between the two sides of the pannier rack) apparently goes outside (rear of) the mudguard, below the number plate. Having wrestled with it for a while, I don't think the brace I have will do that (too narrow, too high, not far enough back), and it seems it goes under (in front of) the mudguard, roughly at a height between the number plate and the back light. Perhaps we have slightly different pannier racks, but mine doesn't look battered enough to have lived directly over the wheel. If you have a Honda pannier rack where does your rear cross-brace go?