2014 Baja Warrior

[nightgrider]

After some very last minute hackery the bicycle cargo rack is on the baja. Only minimal zip ties were harmed in the making of this film. Haha It's only good for very light weight as is, maybe 10-15 lbs, but should be good enough to get my tent, sleeping bag, and other small odds and ends back to the campsite in a few trips.

 

[sparkwizard]

That looks really good on there. Nice job!

 

[nightgrider]

That looks really good on there. Nice job!

Thanks, the main mission is still to build a more sturdy cargo rack. But I just couldn't bear heading off for the camping trip without some sort of rack to carry things on. Haha

 

[nightgrider]

Well the last minute hackjob on the cargo rack survived the trip and served me well. Pushed it to its limits for how it was mounted. Once I get the sturdier cargo racks made it will be really useful. Definitely want to make a front cargo rack as well for extra utility. I can see why these baja warriors are so popular. Was great off road, comfortable to ride, and the fake gas tank cargo area was great. For now I'm leaving the jackshaft, it was great for the area we camp. Was pretty good for low end grunt.

 

[RobertC]

It looks like your rack does a great job !

Keep up the good work.

 

[nightgrider]

It looks like your rack does a great job !

Keep up the good work.

Thanks it worked really well.

 

[sparkwizard]

That load of firewood is impressive! It looks like you're having too much fun out there.
Great conversion to a utility bike.

 

[nightgrider]

That load of firewood is impressive! It looks like you're having too much fun out there.
Great conversion to a utility bike.

Thanks, we did have a really good time. Was a shame we only were there for the weekend. Even though the bicycle cargo rack got me through the weekend, it made me really want to finish building the one I originally planned. It also really made me want to get a small rack on the front for additional cargo capacity. The rack I'm planning to build will probably be way over built, but it will be super solid. The bicycle cargo rack may end up on the front. But honestly I've only really been planning out the rear rack at this time.

 

[DaddyJohn]

Here’s a Baja Warrior that I built over the winter and welded a rear rack on. It came off of a 70’s Yamaha or Suzuki enduro bike, most likely. I had to add a couple pieces of 5/16” rod (sourced from the angle adjusting crank on an old snowblower) angled up as braces, but otherwise, it was a pretty good fit! Might check eBay for old motorcycle racks to adapt for a future build.

 

[nightgrider]

Here’s a Baja Warrior that I built over the winter and welded a rear rack on. It came off of a 70’s Yamaha or Suzuki enduro bike, most likely. I had to add a couple pieces of 5/16” rod (sourced from the angle adjusting crank on an old snowblower) angled up as braces, but otherwise, it was a pretty good fit! Might check eBay for old motorcycle racks to adapt for a future build.

Looks really good! I definitely looked around at other cargo rack to see what I liked. I really like the old trail 90 cargo racks, but even pretty old ugly ones aren't that cheap online. I'll still keep my eye out if I come across something at a good price.

The bicycle cargo rack could be made to mount in a more sturdy manner and it would be able to hold a good amount of weight. Just figured if I'm going to mess with it. Might as well continue on with my originally planned rack. Just need to get some time to get cutting and welding.

 

[nightgrider]

Here’s a Baja Warrior that I built over the winter and welded a rear rack on. It came off of a 70’s Yamaha or Suzuki enduro bike, most likely. I had to add a couple pieces of 5/16” rod (sourced from the angle adjusting crank on an old snowblower) angled up as braces, but otherwise, it was a pretty good fit! Might check eBay for old motorcycle racks to adapt for a future build.

@DaddyJohn what rear fender are you using on your bike?

 

[DaddyJohn]

It’s a Mega Moto B212 unit I got for $16+ship at GPS.

 

[nightgrider]

I'll give you all a peak at the last minute hackery that got me through the camping trip. Mounted the cargo rack maybe 20 minutes before loading up to leave. Haha Definitely was not robust, but got me through the the trip. The fabricated rack will be mounted much differently. Three zip ties per side, for luck. Haha the mounting could be improved on this, but I'll do that for the fabricated rack.

 

[Triley41395]

I'll give you all a peak at the last minute hackery that got me through the camping trip. Mounted the cargo rack maybe 20 minutes before loading up to leave. Haha Definitely was not robust, but got me through the the trip. The fabricated rack will be mounted much differently. Three zip ties per side, for luck. Haha the mounting could be improved on this, but I'll do that for the fabricated rack.

Every good tool box has a nice assortment of zip ties. One breaks add 2..2 breaks add 4....eventually it's strong enough.

 

[nightgrider]

Finally pulled the trigger on a better welding machine that the my old flux 125 from hobo Freight. Some may argue what I got isn't much of an upgrade, but it fit the budget. Got a Chinese multi-process machine. Most importantly it is gas capable and has better amperage adjustability. I was thinking straight CO2 for cost. Since I only weld every now and then. What's everyone else running for gas? CO2 or mix?

 

[sparkwizard]

You will love it. I only use CO2.
I use MIG and CO2 indoors. If I need to go outside, I swap to flux and leave the bottle in the garage.

 

[nightgrider]

What size bottle are most people using at home? I definitely don't need big one. But... I do plan to do a little autobody welding now that I have this machine.

 

[sparkwizard]

I have a 20 pound aluminum bottle. When I take it to swap it out, I ask for an aluminum bottle if they have one.
It's about 3 feet tall and lasts me about a year.

 

[JimN]

Having used both c25 and 100% co2 in the last couple of months, I prefer using c25. Makes a"smoother" weld for lack of a better term. For the cost I'll use co2.

A quick look at the specs on your welder makes that a moot point, I think. I've never used, and don't have inductance control on mine. If your welder lives up to the specs on it and since it's multi process, in the future, you're not going to want to limit yourself to just 1 type of gas.

 

[nightgrider]

Having used both c25 and 100% co2 in the last couple of months, I prefer using c25. Makes a"smoother" weld for lack of a better term. For the cost I'll use co2.

A quick look at the specs on your welder makes that a moot point, I think. I've never used, and don't have inductance control on mine. If your welder lives up to the specs on it and since it's multi process, in the future, you're not going to want to limit yourself to just 1 type of gas.

Yeah I'll have to play around with the machine a bit to get used to it. Need to swing in my local air gas to check on prices. I have some rough ideas, but need to stop in to know for sure. I still need to pick up a regulator too. Least need to run a little flux core wire through it just to get a feel for the machine.