Hi, I'd figure this is a C&V type question, so I'd ask this here.

I have a grand plan to mount a Wald 137 basket on top of a front rack on my tourer ('85 Nishiki Continental).

I've seen a few photos online of other people who've done this who don't have any of the mounting hardware (here, here and here). It looks like Rivendell sells the basket sans mounting hardware (i.e. the handlebar hooks, and brackets for the struts), however I could not find this anywhere else.

Is there an easy way to remove the mounting hardware without wrecking the basket? The metal used for the mounting clamps looks fairly robust. I've already bought the basket from my LBS.