
+1 dear Neil...
But don´t you give up:
i also use the factory-straps on both my racks (which have different distance between their "strap holes" provided). I mamaged to "persuade" the straps through the strap holes...

Had the cross-strap re-tailored to length by a local saddler - to suit my first rack ("Sports"-version from the factory) - only to recognize, that my current (also factory-"on top of spare wheel") rack has different distances in between their "strap holes"

But Peter´s solution sounds as appropriate as pragmatic - just don´t bother & enjoy your car!
