I took a quick look at mine the other day with the thought of removing them. I may be wrong but it looked like the top of the front struts mounted to the bottom of the rack. I was just wondering if what I thought I saw was right and if so what does the top of the strut mount to if you remove the rack? If anyone has removed their racks let me know what was involved and about what the front and rear rack weight. I want to give it a try because some friends and I have a trip planned to Little Sahara. I took off my winch and am trying put my prairie on a diet. All my friends are going to be on sport quads and although I'm not too worried about the 400's I definately don't want to be eating a bunch of sand. Also if any one knows of other ways to lighten it up I'm game as long as it is still safe to ride.

 

It is my understanding that there is no cross member on the upper strut mounts. I know the BF 650's do have cross members on them.

Either way, based on what the racks on my BF 650 weigh, you will only gain 8-12 lbs. I've never weighed them, but have had them off and they are not heavy at all (4-6 lbs a piece).

 

not worried about the old 400. im still going to buy that really bright a@# whip so you can see the way everbody went(ha! ha!). if i do break or wreck you will pull me back won't you? really? boy, you better not leave me out there! i know where you live!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Mike Penland makes a bar I believe for the top of the struts if you want to loose the front rack ,I do believe the rack supports the whole top strut assembly though.

 

if you don't jump, putz around, & aren't an XXL rider, you'll be fine with out them... but 99.9% of guys that are removing their racks are doing racing, & rippin... even the smaller jumps with the front rack off, will crumple your shock towers... you can buy the billet brace from Pendland, or build one your self... it really only takes a flat bar across the top, with the right spacers in it, to support the towers...