I just bought an '09 V-Strom 650 last week and am in the process of getting it ready for some longer rides. I really couldn't see spending $700+ on some panniers, so I decided to mount some ammo cans.

I also couldn't see spending $200+ on a luggage rack to mount my $12.00 ammo cans to, so I welded up my own. I used 1.25" angle iron and 1" strapping for the rack. I've looked over many other racks and I think mine are stronger than most, and only cost me a few bucks . I also didn't have to relocate any lights

The rack is held on by 8 bolts, and is in one piece, so I can install it and take it off the bike in 5 minutes. Width with the cans mounted is just under 40". I wanted to keep the cans mounted symmetrical as I wanted space for a tool tube and don't care for lopsided looking mounts. I'm not completely done with it yet, I just need to build some sort of tool tube for the left side. I'll then sandblast/paint the ammo cans and rack.

Total time spent so far is about 8 hours and total cost about $30.00. Can't beat that.

Well, here are a few pics. Sorry that they are a little dark (don't mind the mess in my shop either).

Rack from the back:

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans1.jpg

Rack from the side:

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans2.jpg

Ammo cans mounted:

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans3.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans4.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans5.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans6.jpg

Sandblasted and Painted. I used a metallic matte black, very similar to the frame color. You can't see it in the pics, but the metallic really shines in the sun, looks great!

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans1-1.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans2-1.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j173/speedwing/ammocans3-1.jpg

Very nice...I have the same size cans that I want to put on one of my bikes. They are a little big... but damn the space comes in handy.

Very cool, I like it :smokin:

:laughing:

what size ammo cans? 50 cal?

I like.

I just picked up 2 plastic 25mm ammo cans to do the same thing with for my little yamaha TW200. I need to make a rack for it too. Nice job looks good

Followup questions... Was that exhaust heat shield stock? Does it keep the can cool?

Also, do the handles on the cans rattle around? I had considered removing the handles on mine because it looks like they would make noise.

Thats the stock Vstrom heat shield. I ran soft cortech saddle bags directly on the shield and they never got hot. That shield barely even gets warm.

Cool set up.

I am mounting up my sea horse 720 cases on my Vstrom this week.

Those look perfect, maybe buy some Suzuki decals, stick'em on, they would look factory.