Front rack
 

Given that this section is about intended mods, and spurred on by a good weekend trip and all the thoughts you have whilst riding I started to muse on the idea of a front rack to assist in carrying camping equipment etc. Now I'm not thinking about a wicker basket or similar before anyone starts wisecracking ;) but what prompted the thought was considering Nick's windstopper idea and also plans I had to mount a tent rack on the top yoke.
I know the windstopper uses quite delicate mounting points, which wouldn't be capable of dealing with carrying loads so I need to look more around the area for something to mount to. I did consider the tow-loop but then there's problems of clearance with turning and cargo.
I'm also aware that there needs to be clearance between the front wheel and the cargo.
Stay tuned for more. I have a tig welder now and I'm not afraid to use it! Ha.

the tow hook support ?

I had a few thoughts on that too
 

The problem is the clearences for fork mounted stuff, it's just not there from lock to lock. I looked at the front subframe, but to be honest it hasn't got the strength in it, and if you look carefully, the hole thing has movement on the rougher stuff (it's highlighted by the movement of the GPS on the GPS mount).

I was looking at some longer bolts (the two that hold the front subframe onto the main chassis) and making a kinda drop down and forward rack, but you've got the clearences again, or the headlight in the way - I'm considering this for a light rack for next winter, main beam isn't as good as it could be!.

The only real option is a linear rack across the top of the front mudguard, but it has to sit between the forks, and can't go too far back towards the bike. The problem this presents is it put weight alot further forward, then again, loaded up the Tenere is a bit front end lite anyway so who knows??

I've just got a TT rack (from a GS1200) on flebay for �33 (when it arrives), I have some nylon block and a pile of 25x5mm steel. I'm making a rear rack that will fit into the mounts for the Yamaha Box, so it will be removable. I'm happy it has the strength in it, not so much as a bit of wear after 8000 hard miles with an overloaded top box. When I have success here I'm looking to get one of the TT extended racks, and bring the luggage space over the rear of the seat. It will increase the carrying capability and bring the weight more over the rear wheels rather, hopefully making the front end less lite.

Welding - mines more functional rather than asthetic!

I was looking at either mount from the headstock as the current subframe does, or look to see how the tank and front panels mount (probably too weak), or do something similar to the old Riky Cross front racks for the AT's.
I've made a rack for the rear already that lets me strap stuff to it easily. I am just thinking of ways to do away with panniers.

This is the Riky Cross rack I meant-

http://www.xrv.org.uk/photopost/data/516/medium/rk1.jpg

pic nicked form XRV forum.

I'm sure the screen would keep a lot of the wind from affecting the handling if I mounted a rack on top of the bars. What effect it would have because of the unsprung weight though, I don't know

Weight on the bars isn't unsprung weight, that's your wheels, axles, brakes and lower fork legs.... It still, however, could wreck the handling.
Have you thought about bags on the front / side of the tank? I think Hein-Gericke do a special "Big Traillie" tankbag?
If you want something like the Riky one, maybe you could adapt some crash bars to come around the front of the fairing?

I am looking at a simple rack either side of the engine. A bit like the old style back rack with a small upstand loop. When placed flat and upright by the engine the loop bit will provide a support. I intend to bolt the bottom to the crash bars and the top to the main upper engine bolt.
I think it will make the load a lot lower and help with picking it up etc.

Sounds good, but won't that make it look like a BEEMDUBBLEUU from the front?! :icon_mrgreen:

You're absolutely right, sorry my head was elsewhere. I think building something crashbar like will be the way to go, but Yamaha have done a great job of making the bike very smooth! I'll have a good look this weekend.

This is a family forum, please keep your language down....:002: