granto

Hi all, I'm trying to put this type of rear rack on my early 80's Fuji monterey.

Looking at the picture of the rack, I only have the two leftmost plates from the rack. My Fuji has one of those center L posts that holds a reflector, like this. So I can kinda squeeze that post between the rack and the flat plate, but it's not ideal. And if I were to hammer that bent plate out to screw the center to the post, the distance between outside holes wouldn't match the rack.

I just can't really imagine what that bended plate was intended for in the first place.. can someone enlighten me?

Also, would it be possible to somehow adapt this rack to clamp onto the seatstays?

Thanks

juvela

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The bracket for the reflector in the cited photo looks to be a standard CatEye which mounts on the brake mounting bolt. All that would be required is to remove the brake mounting nut, remove the bracket and replace the nut. The reflector without bracket can be mounted to the rear of the rack.

The bent bracket is designed to go on the forward side of the seat stays. The t-shaped piece in the ebay photo is designed to keep the rack from slipping down under load. The three holes in a row are designed to it can be fitted with the rack level. If you do not have this piece it would be good to get one or cut something to perform the same function.

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Salamandrine 

That's a Pletscher, or Pletscher type rack.

They are meant to clamp to the seat stays above the brake. That's what those two straps are for: the flat one and the bent one on the left. I'm sure you could google up some pics. They do tend to slip and mangle the paint. The T shape one is an additional support that is bolted to the rear brake center bolt. It helps prevent the the rack from slipping down.

You will need to remove the reflector. Best thing is to relocate it to the back of the rack. You may need to fabricate an L bracket. Frankly speaking, Scotchlite reflective tape on the rims and a modern LED blinky will do more for visibility than 70s reflectors. I would just lose it.

Jeff Wills

Remove the reflector bracket from the brake attachment. The flat plates then clamp onto the seatstays. The third plate (kind of shaped like a "T") is meant to support the rack above the rear brake. It's not 100% necessary, but the flat clamp plates have a tendency to slide down and scrape the paint on the stays.

It should end up something like this:

Andrew R Stewart 

Few comments- Why would one want to use a flexible riveted rack I don't know... Reflector will possible blocked by rack load. Better to position reflector on rack's tab above the tire and do without the curved reflector mounting bracket. Better yet is to use tail light...


These racks are as old as most of us. They have well known issues but do good service for no real rack loads. keep the mounting hardware tight, especially the stay clamps. Andy

granto

thanks everyone! this photo helped me.

If I don't have the T-piece to prevent slipping (and am not motivated to build or buy it) can I use some rubber on the seatstays to try and keep it there?

Salamandrine 

Oddly enough I used to work at the only authorized Fuji dealer in Monterey when this bike was new. I don't think the owner liked them much. Probably the margins were too small or something. I always thought they were cool bikes.

You don't need the T piece. It was rarely supplied or used. You could try wrapping some friction tape or rubber strips or the like around where the rack clamps to prevent mangling the stays. If it's on tight enough it won't slip.

granto

I dig it! Threw on some aluminum 700c hybrid wheels and it's a nice little bike.

granto

Roger that, thanks again.

brianinc-ville

Those racks look period-correct, but as @Andrew R Stewart says, they really aren't very functional. If you're going to the trouble, why not use a strong-yet-vintage-looking rack like this?

rhm

Well, obviously you can try; but it's a bad idea. If you tighten the bolts too much, you can crush the stays (okay, unlikely; but it can happen). If you don't tighten the bolts enough, the rack will slip down, scratching the paint. The T-piece is really pretty important. It's also pretty easy to make. It doesn't have to be T-shaped; you could make two separate pieces that form a V, with the brake pivot bolt at the bottom, and the rack plate at the top.

granto

My cheapness and desire to recycle free stuff I find overrides any desire to be pragmatic or functional. And it has a sweet folding basket!

brianinc-ville

Gotcha. Well, in that case, you might see what you can find in the way of modern-design racks for cheap at your local bike co-op. In my experience, Pletscher rack + Wald folding basket + groceries = bent, useless Pletscher rack, real fast. You can try it and see how it goes, though.

BTW, a good material for protecting the seat stays from the Pletscher rack attachment: thick rubber hose, such as automotive fuel line. Bike inner tubes will do for a while, but they tend to wear through.

old's'cool

Since this thread is about Fuji Montereys and rear racks...

granto

OK, the rack is on tight, but yeah, now I see why everyone was acting like I invited the alcoholic uncle that everyone hates to the wedding... this is by far the worst means of affixing something I've ever seen! No wonder nobody wanted to see a Pletscher again. But it's kinda funny to travel back in time and deal with the same pains that everyone else did.

I think it's on securely but on first hint of a slip I'll shell for the T-piece. Cheers.