Utility Cycling - Suggestions: Front rack for Old MTB

I've caught the utility bike bug this summer. My bike is pretty simple right now: 1988 Diamond back, heavy gauge aluminum, top of the line mountain bike. All Deore XT, etc. I bought and rebuilt everything on this bike and then it just sat until I put a rear rack and milk crate on the back and some northroad type bars and 2.4 tires. Now I use it all the time. I built it up to haul my gardening stuff to my community plot. It easily carries a hoe tied to the top tube with a bungee cord and everything else I need on the 30 minute ride each way. But I'm dying to expand my cargo capacity to the front. I spent some time trying to rig an old rear rack to the front with no luck, and I've picked up a couple of odd racks and tried the same. Now I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions as to how to get a old front MTB rack. The forks have the mid-fork braise-ons for a front rack and the ones on the dropouts, but I can't find a rack to fit it anywhere (at least under $100!) I'm willing to go $30-40, but I can't even find one of these on ebay.

Any idea or alternate suggestions? I'll get some pictures up as it is soon. I just want something strong enough to attach a Wald wire basket. Is this just one of those things I have to wait around til' I find?

Axiom are relatively inexpensive (http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/racks/?v1=product&v2=racks)

Front Racks at Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/CatalogSearchResultView?storeId=10053&catalogId=10052&langId=-1&pageSize=30&beginIndex=0&searchType=resultSet&sortBy=iphrase%2Brelevance//0&cn1=&searchTerm=front+rack*)

Wald Front Baskets (https://waldsports.com/index.cfm/baskets.html)

Unfortunately, fewer companies make front racks than rear. Porteur type-ish racks tend to be the most expensive.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=554681

This is a recent thread that discussed some various front racks. I've spent hours lusting over the pictures of the stuff put out by "The rack lady".

Thanks...This is the rack I want but it doesn't look like it is available in the US. Dollar to pound conversion and international shipping make it a close to a $100!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/blackburn/mtf1-mtn-front-rack-ec007524

I know the minute I buy it I'll find an old mountain bike at a garage sale for $40 with the same rack.

Thanks...This is the rack I want but it doesn't look like it is available in the US. Dollar to pound conversion and international shipping make it a close to a $100!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/blackburn/mtf1-mtn-front-rack-ec007524

I know the minute I buy it I'll find an old mountain bike at a garage sale for $40 with the same rack.

I used to have that rack and it was a good one. Closest thing I can find similar to it today would be the Jannd Expedition (http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXT) rack.

Blackburn used to be a US based company, I am a bit surprised that you can't find one for sale in the states.

Aaron:)

One of the bike shops in my area had that rack in their selection of used parts for $20-25. I would have picked it up but it appears to have originally been painted neon green, and then painted black later so now its black with spots of neon green. I just didn't feel like it was worth stripping and I'm really picky about appearances.

PM me, I could possibly stop by there to see if they have it, and then pass it on to you for my cost plus shipping.