Micatech issue

[switchback]

Yes I am nitpicking a little but my Micatechs rattle constantly on the SW Motech racks and make the bike sound like a utility truck. I have loosened the mounts on the rack and repositioned them but it only helps for a little while. Need to rubberize the contact points or something.

Any solutions out there? Anyone else not wanting their bike to sound like a rattle trap?

 

[rem]

I have neither heard, seen nor felt anything like that. Whenever I check my Micatech panniers, they are rock solid., I can shake the entire bike with them and not a hint of movement.

Can you identify where the rattling is taking place? the panniers themselves have no moving parts other than the door. That can be adjusted. The other possible points include the little silver "spools" where the actual contact with the panniers occurs. also the racks themselves to the bike. I dunno ... if it's that obvious you should be able to zoom in on exactly where the rattling is occurring, and there is likely a fix. R

 

[Krabill]

Mine rattle like a p.o.s. pickup truck, too.

 

[motocephalic]

Mine are rock solid, zero movement, none. I can pick up the bike with the racks. Try to tighten the center bolt against the motech brackets. I can't see how the mushrooms would allow for any movement since they are slanted to pull tighter with gravity.

 

[Zuan]

Mine rattled... because the box did not fit securely onto the spools fixed on the SWMotech mounts. Some black electrical tape wrapped around the mounting frame at strategic locations eliminated my rattle. I would love to know if anyone has found a more elegant solution.

 

[switchback]

The bags wiggle on the mushrooms. The center bolt is tight. I can temporarily loosen the mushrooms and adjust them about 0.5 mm and get the noise to stop but the first dirt road readjusts them and the rattles begin. The mushroom groove seems a hair wider than the aluminum on the bags and they vibrate in and out causing the rattle. Not a deal breaker but annoying.

Zuan, that is my exact issue. Thought about spray-on truck bed liner.

 

[motocephalic]

Give Sue a heads up, I am sure she will find a good solution. They are a first class operation dedicated to customer service.

info@micatech.net

 

[rem]

That's interesting. One would assume that the mounting frames on the Micatech's are jig fabricated and shoud be identical. Ditto for the SW Mo racks. Mine are a perfect fit. You may have to give them a final tap to seat them properly, but it is nothing more than a gentle whack with the palm of your hand. As my bike is not here, I can't remember for sure but there may be some play when mounting the spools onto the racks. If so, leave everything just a little loose and seat it all before securing. Both of mine fit perfectly. I don't recall how I did it exactly but I rememeber it wasn't much of a chore. Also, be sure that all four points of attachment are identical .... up and back or up and forward or down and back or down and forward. And be sure they are all connected. I have on more than on occasion almost taken off with only three attachments. It happens. I know that sounds like a "duh" but I have tried to attach them contrary to that configuration. Had I succeeded, they would undoubtedly rattled like a sumbich. They should fit together like a glove. If someone is near you with Micatech panniers, it would be interesting to see if theirs fit on yours and vice versa. Good luck with it. R

 

[switchback]

David,

Sue passed along your email regarding rattling between the SW Motech pucks
or spools and the Micatech case. If you're not able to take up excess
clearance by adjusting the spools...the spools can generally be loosened and
re-positioned... you could also take up the excess clearance with a narrow
strip or two of duct tape. This might require a little trial and error...not
enough and it won't help; too much and you won't fit the cases onto the
spools.

I hope this will help.

Contacted Micatech today. The tape suggestion seems like the most elegant so far.

 

[rem]

Were you guys ever able to determine the source of your rattling panniers ??? Any new developments ?? R

 

[motocephalic]

I am working on solutions for my non- rattlers, in the event that they begin to make noise. But my tractor motor drowns out any possibility of hearing much else. Rem, admit it compared to your ST 1300, this motor is noisy!

 

[rem]

Compared to my ST1300, a spider fart is noisy. R

 

[motocephalic]

Compared to my ST1300, a spider fart is noisy. R

::025::

 

[switchback]

Source is bags moving on the pucks. Haven't pursued it any further. Get out the Duct Tape I guess.

 

[motocephalic]

I have an idea... will post later

 

[switchback]

I have an idea... will post later

Only idea I had was a bicycle inner tube but with all the farkles I ordered I cant afford one.

 

[motocephalic]

I just made these, you get the idea, made them out of an old plastic bottle, so cost is nothing. They work very well, stay put, and you can take the bag on and off without problem. They really are very snug with this mod.

 

[switchback]

Without a closeup I assume that they are cut out to the inner puck diameter and slit so they can slide on?

 

[motocephalic]

of course I would make them a little neater, but so you get the picture

no slit , just a simple tight washer

 

[switchback]

You know, you could make something like that to stick on to the bags with double sided foam tape. Hmmm... Got my wheels turning Clem. May fiddle around this weekend.