I have you now

Well, after using Google to search thru Adventure Rider's forums, I discovered that there is an on-line resource that shows the rear rack.  As previously theorized, the rack was standard on 1989-90 NX125s.  So, pictured at right is the rear fender (upper left), the sub-frame (lower left) and the rack.  Now that I have a tubing bender, I'm wondering how tough it would be to bend some tube into that inverted "u" shape that forms the main hoop.  The hard part will be flattening the tube ends and not splitting the tube.  Also, there's a slight in-ward bend so the main rack tube clears the frame.  The gussets won't to too hard to fabricate and the rack section itself needs to be square tube anyway.  I'm not sure what the "figure 8" shaped piece does (it's fastened to the rack with the grommet [5], washer [4], bolt [15] assembly).  It's not numbered and therefore not identified on the on-line parts fiche.  This also does not address where the turn signals would go.  I could easily weld on a short piece of tube, to the gusset, that would accept the turn signals in roughly the (current) stock location, I suppose.  Lastly, I see that the rack has some short nubs which protrude thru the fender (where the grommets [6]) are.  I was under the impression that those holes might be for support.  They aren't.  But, at the same time, they don't appear to be necessary either.

Back in the Saddle

Well, vacation was nice, thanks.  Arizona is much more diverse, with respect to landscape, than I thought.  On top of that, it's been above freezing (way above freezing on some days) since I returned an a lot of that snow is melting nicely.  Perhaps Punxsutawney Phil is right after all.

So, after formulating different scenarios, in my head, in an attempt to find a rack mounting solution, I gave up and decided to just use a backpack.  This isn't my favorite solution because the backpack will prevent my motorcycle jackets from properly venting air (to keep me cool) and my backpack isn't waterproof (should I be caught in the rain).  Recently, I went "shopping" on that big, on-line auction site and discovered this (at right).  That's a (dingy, used) rear fender off of an '89 NX 125.  The more I research, the more I discover; it seems that '89 (and '90?) models came with a rear rack from the factory.  Those little black dots (as indicated by the yellow arrows) are actually grommets where the rear rack would attach from underneath.  Just to the left of those attachment points (on each side of the fender), you can also see where the turn signals attach.  I already know that the factory rack used the seat bolts as a forward attachment point.  Since the frame ends right where the turn signals attach (and the sub-frame that continues aft [toward the right, in the image] is too light/weak to support a load) I have to think there was some type of (inverted) "U" shaped bracket, under the fender, that tied the frame ends together from side-to-side.  That would help distribute the load, to the frame, and can't be too hard to fabricate.  I'm also in contact with my engineer brother-in-law (who also rides) to see if my mounting idea will pass the "stress" test.

Excuse me while I.....dig out and then go on vacation....

Sorry but I've been busy digging out of ~23" of powder here.  As a snowboarder, I'm contemplating why all this lovely snow fell on the flat lands.  It would have been so much better in some mountainous area where it could be properly enjoyed.

And, then I'll be in Arizona for a week.  So, I'll resume posting on Valentine's Day.

Looking out my front door

Cul-de-sac across from my unit

Looking south and snowing like all get-out

Wondering what neighbor had started their car (the middle one)

Drifts so nice, you could surf on them

Looking out back

Our unit (right) and four + feet of snow in the driveway