Modern Vespa

Has anyone experienced any rust issues with attaching and old metal milk crate to their rear rack? I'm not that worried but really don't want to ruin the chrome if there is some trick that I'm not aware of out there.

What is your favorite method of holding the crate to the rack? I'm leaning towards plastic zip/cable ties and I can remove/add easily when needed. Wonder if I should make more permanent?

What rear rack are you rocking?

I don't know if you noticed Aaron's (WOT on my forum ) Rally 200 at Amerivespa, ... but he has one of those BBQ-racks and custom fabricated a quick-release bracket for a $30 top-box he got on ebay. I bet we could come up with something cool for your rack / milk crate, provided it's worth the effort.

(both of these bikes pictured are clubmates of mine ...both won "best vespa" awards at the rally ...one for SS180, one for Rally200 )

I've had a metal swimming pool basket attached to mine for 4 years. Yes, there is a little bit of rust where the basket touches the stationary rack, but nothing that can't be polished off. I use plastic zip ties. They will usually last about 6 months before they start to get brittle and crack off. Once you see the first one crack off, that's an indicator that they are ready to be replaced. Had some close calls with my basket nearly falling off the rack a few times. I always carry extra zip ties in my glove box.

Let me know if you want to see any photos of my basket/rack combination.

Start with a roll of 3M heavy duty outdoor double stick mounting tape (Home Depot paint dept.) This is a rubbery stretchy tape that you wrap around where the metal of the crate will touch the metal of the rack. A couple of turns at each spot will do. Set the crate on and hold it down with stainless steel hose clamps (HD also) of the appropriate size. I would use about four near the corners of the rack, tape under them also. Keep an eye on it for any rust stain. If you see any developing take the rack off and clean the rust off while it is still superficial. The tape will remove with no problems. Tie wraps are OK too, but use the fattest ones you can find for the strength.

For real class get the steel milk crate chrome plated.

Give us a picture.

Thanks for the suggestions and pictures - nice rack shots - I'm going to throw the rack on the stock gtv rack (can you tell I'm sick of hauling beer and having to pack it in the pet carrier, throw on my back or hang on the hooks). Have a cool beat up old metal milk crate that I"m going to use. Good tip about zip ties lasting 6 mo's or so! I will need to watch that.

I can't tell you how many times that basket has come in handy. There was even a time when the rear seat on my friend's Super fell off while we were riding and I snatched it up and threw it in my basket so we didn't have to skip a beat on our ride. You'll even be able to fit a paper sack full of groceries in there stacked on top of a half-rack!

I also use the cargo net bungee cords just to hold everything in in case I have something that is too tall. You'll be absolutely stoked to have that basket.

I also agree with the above poster. Definitely use the largest zip ties you can find. They will last much longer.

Quick update with a pic - love the crate, can haul things (beer) way easy - the look may not work for all - I'm not a top box fan.