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.

If those mounts are wrapped around the wire and bradded the easest way would be to drill the brads & pry the mount open.

Don't overthink it. On mine, the handlebar straps were just wrapped around the basket wire, ie. no fasteners. I just stuck a screwdriver or something in and pried it open to remove.

I left the bottom tabs on and used one of them to attach a piece of handlebar tubing for a light mount. After this picture was taken, I drilled a hole in the top of the tube and added a zip tie on the right side; otherwise the tube could pivot on the basket tab.

The basket attaches to the rack with a half dozen or so stout zip ties.