First post! I have learned a lot by lurking for about a year, and I think it's time to contribute something. Also, please let me offer my condolences on the recent loss of several contributors to this community.
My name is Josh and I have a 2016 Sprint 150, as well as a couple of larger bikes. I live in Southern California and I have been riding the Vespa almost exclusively since it got it about 18 months ago. I have found it to be a far better tool for getting around out here, and it makes running all kinds of errands a pleasure.
My Sprint has the Piaggio rear folding rack, and I wanted to find a way to quickly mount and remove a milk crate or basket for trips to the store. I considered using a top box, but I find an open basket or crate to be more versatile, if less secure when parked unattended. I also considered a more permanent mounting for the basket, but I like the idea of being able to remove it when I don't need the transport capacity, because the extra length is noticeable in our overfilled garage.
Here is what I came up with:
I found a nicely made and reasonably large bicycle basket made by Brooks (it was a bit pricey, but it looks so much nicer than the milk crate I used previously, that I just decided to go for it). Using two small ROK straps attached only to the basket, I am both able to hold the rack in the extended position without using a clamp, and to secure the basket to the rack by passing the straps around the backrest and under the rack. It is "ROK" solid and doesn't move at all when the straps are tight. When I want to remove the basket, all I have to do is loosen and disconnect the ROK straps, which immediately frees the basket and allows the rack to fold up.
I made some rubber bumpers to stabilize the basket and keep it from rattling by cutting the tips off some vacuum caps and slicing them along their length to allow them fit over the basket frame in a few spots. For parking unattended, I used a padlock to secure the basket to the rack, and also to corral the excess length of the straps when they are tightened.
I think the Brooks basket looks really nice, but I imagine this method would work with just about any crate or basket that has relatively straight sides. A couple of the pictures show the old milk crate I was using for comparison. The Brooks basket is shorter, but wider than the milk crate, so the capacity is quite good.
I hope someone finds this idea helpful. Thanks for the great site!
